Happy Return</h1> <article> <h1>Happy Return</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:50:42 +0000</p> <span>Happy Return</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-01-30T09:50:42-05:00" title="Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 09:50">Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It’s been a few semesters since Samia Mansour was a <a href="/node/65666">religion</a> student at �鶹��Ƶ. In the years that followed her graduation in 2010, she worked for �鶹��Ƶ College Hillel and for Cleveland-area nonprofits that support interfaith couples and families, as well as women and gender non-conforming individuals. Along the way, she completed a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University.</p> <p>In fall 2023, Mansour returned to campus as assistant dean and director for the <a href="/node/4241">Office of Religious and Spiritual Life</a>. It’s a role that interacts closely with students and complements the work of her colleague, Multifaith Chaplain <a href="/node/30801">David Dorsey</a>.</p> <p>We caught up with Mansour in her first weeks on campus, to learn more about her student years and the journey that brought her back. </p> <p><strong>You originally came to �鶹��Ƶ from nearby Canton, Ohio. What appealed to you about it at the time?</strong></p> <p>So many things! �鶹��Ƶ was the first school I visited, and I absolutely fell in love. I compared every other school I visited to �鶹��Ƶ, so when it came time to apply, I knew �鶹��Ƶ was my no. 1. �鶹��Ƶ was so different from the community and school I was coming from, and even though it's not far from where I live, I used to joke that I needed a passport to come to �鶹��Ƶ. </p> <p>I felt like a big fish in a small pond in high school. I had so many dreams, interests, and things I was passionate about, and I didn't feel I had a place to put that energy. I was a first-generation and low-income student as well, so I knew that college was my only real chance to make it out and be able to pursue my passions. �鶹��Ƶ's historic achievements inspired me; I felt represented by the progressive and inclusive campus environment. I appreciated the commitment to global learning, and I loved the quirkiness of �鶹��Ƶ students. My life was changed by my decision to become an Obie. </p> <p><strong>How did your career path take shape?</strong></p> <p>I honestly didn't come to �鶹��Ƶ with any specific career aspirations. My first goal was to make it to college, and I knew I wanted to find a path to do good in the world. I was confident I would find my way and wanted to keep my options open.</p> <p>Looking back, I think I had a hard time imagining all the possibilities of what could be. As the first in my family to attend college, no one I knew had a job or career they loved—work was a means to a paycheck. Folks didn't have an opportunity to pursue their passions, and so I didn't know what it would look like if I did. I started by taking classes that piqued my interest and ultimately found that I couldn't stop taking courses in the Religion Department. I was on a spiritual journey of my own, and once I opened that door, there was no closing it. Every role I've held after �鶹��Ƶ has been in the realm of religious and spiritual life.</p> <p>A few years after graduating, I decided to get my master's in social work. I believe that social work skills are universally transferable; you can find social workers in all kinds of organizations and roles. I knew that in whatever position I took, I thrived when working with people and supporting them on their path. And so social work felt like a natural fit. It opened up many possibilities for where my future career could go and gave me a lot of tangible skills. </p> <p>I often wished that I was one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to be in the world; I thought that would be so much easier! But I am grateful for my journey, the incredible people I've met, and the experiences I've had along the way.<br> <br> <strong>Tell us about your role on campus.</strong></p> <p>My role is focused on working with student groups, supporting student needs as they relate to religious and spiritual life, and working collaboratively with other departments in the <a href="/node/415091">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a>. However, I am still learning what this role is and can grow into, and I am open to learning more from folks on campus about what they would like to see from our office.</p> <p><strong>What's your favorite thing that's changed about �鶹��Ƶ since you were a student?</strong></p> <p>There are many new opportunities for student support and career development that I don't remember from when I was a student. New courses and concentrations and professors—I wish I could be a student again! Student life has evolved in a wonderful way since I was here before, and I love to see all of the collaboration and restructuring that better serves student needs. <br> <br> <strong>What's your favorite thing that hasn't changed?</strong></p> <p>Womb chairs, ExCos, OSCA, Art Rental, Organ Pump, TGIF, Winter Term, the Feve, Blue Rooster.<br> <br> <strong>What's one thing you would hope every student knows about the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life?</strong></p> <p>Religious and spiritual exploration is a lifelong journey. Whether you identify as traditionally observant, open-minded skeptic, spiritually curious, or grounded in your faith, we are here for you without judgment.<br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">�鶹��Ƶ was Samia Mansour’s top college choice. Now years removed from her graduation, she chose it all over again.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-12-08T12:00:00Z">Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3709">Religious and Spiritual Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3960">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25421">Religion</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/samia-mansour" hreflang="und">Samia Mansour</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/david-dorsey" hreflang="und">David Dorsey</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/religion" hreflang="und">Religion</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>�鶹��Ƶ College Opens Certified Kosher Kitchen</h1> <p>swargo — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 12:20:54 +0000</p> <span>�鶹��Ƶ College Opens Certified Kosher Kitchen</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-04-20T08:20:54-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 08:20">Tue, 04/20/2021 - 08:20</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>�鶹��Ƶ College will broaden its commitment to Jewish life and scholarship this May when it becomes one of only a handful of liberal arts colleges throughout the country to offer students a certified kosher kitchen experience. </p><p>“This has been a long time coming and it was a collaborative effort that made this happen,” said President Carmen Twillie Ambar. “AVI Fresh, Chabad at �鶹��Ƶ, and �鶹��Ƶ Hillel have been wonderful partners in this process and we are so excited for this new community space where students can come together for a meal and explore cultural experiences through food and conversation.”</p><p>AVI Fresh is finalizing details on a partnership with Chabad at �鶹��Ƶ to certify Heritage Kitchen as kosher. “Having an organization that understands and is invested in the culture of this college aids in the journey of certification,” says Lilkeisha Smith, AVI Fresh director of operations for �鶹��Ƶ College. “I believe we share the same goals of bridging culture and a safe space for seeking spiritual identity through food. I’d like to think of this partnership as a collaboration of knowledge and how together, we hope to tell this beautifully woven story of a rich heritage through food.”</p><p>With approximately 23 percent of �鶹��Ƶ students identifying as Jewish, the college recognized there was a need to expand its dining options. Third-year student Jesse Noily believes the opening of Heritage Kitchen will allow him to be more connected with campus life and still adhere to his faith. </p><p>“As a part of �鶹��Ƶ’s religious Jewish community, a certified kosher dining option feels like a huge step in helping me and students like me engage fully in campus life,” says Noily. “I look forward to seeing how this initiative will help to allow students from all backgrounds to engage in their Jewish identity and practice.” The opportunity for all Jewish students to eat together in one place is important to third-year Noah Plotkin, who was concerned about possibly having to change his housing and dining plans in order to keep kosher. “I was afraid I would have to move off campus, but the kosher kitchen certification allows me to continue to eat with my friends and community.”</p><p>Heritage Kitchen will meet the demand to provide a kosher menu to 400 students per week and will be available to all students through the college’s dining meal plan. While the menu will be designed for people who keep kosher, it will be open to every student and it also will meet the needs of many Muslim students.</p><p>“It is wonderful that �鶹��Ƶ has committed to meeting the dietary needs of all students, including those whose religious practice requires a specific standard of kashrut—adherence to the Jewish dietary laws, says Rabbi MeganDoherty, director of <a href="http://oberlinhillel.org">Hillel and Jewish Campus Life</a>. “I am so excited to have a certified kosher kitchen on campus that will operate on the same schedule as the dining halls and be open to all students. I can't wait to see what kind of communities and educational opportunities can be built with this new resource.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-04-20T12:00:00Z">Tue, 04/20/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Wargo</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3709">Religious and Spiritual Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2379">Student Life</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">William Bradford</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> </main></body></html>