Photo of Safaa and Iman

Iman Mohammed follows in her mother's footsteps in Laurier’s Master of Social Justice and Community Engagement program

Dec. 19, 2022
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Safaa Miqdadi, a 2022 graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Master of Social Justice and Community Engagement program, is proud to have inspired her daughter to follow in her footsteps in post-secondary studies.

“I am very happy that my daughter decided to not only go to the same school as me, but take the same program,” says Miqdadi. “The program has certainly broadened my knowledge and I am glad that I inspired my daughter.”

Miqdadi began her studies at Laurier’s Brantford campus in 2017, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Health Administration. Miqdadi later wanted to advance her education further and enrolled in the Social Justice and Community Engagement master’s program. Being a mother with a family to care for, it was important to Miqdadi to choose an institution that was close to home and somewhere she felt like she belonged.

“Laurier’s Brantford campus is exactly what I always hoped for,” says Miqdadi. “It is a smaller university with smaller classes and more interaction with the professors. I was sure that Laurier was the right university for me because it promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for all, which is very important to make students feel a sense of belonging.”

Now, Miqdadi’s daughter, Iman Mohammed, is following in her footsteps. Mohammed began studies toward her master’s degree in Social Justice and Community Engagement this fall.

“After hearing my mother speak about the things she learned in her classes, her readings and her placement, I became more interested in the Social Justice and Community Engagement program at Laurier,” says Mohammed.

After her first successful term, Mohammed says she knows attending Laurier was absolutely the right choice.

“At Laurier, I never feel like I have to compete with anybody,” says Mohammed. “Social Justice and Community Engagement faculty and students are always there to support you in achieving your goals.”  

The mother and daughter use their interest in the same program as an opportunity to engage in discussion. They talk about readings, class topics, and engage in seemingly never-ending conversations sharing thoughts with each other.

“The rest of my family members are often clueless regarding what we are talking about, but it is nice to have someone to discuss social justice topics with,” says Mohammed. “We share our thoughts and connect them to our experiences as Palestinians living in Canada.”

Mohammed says she wants to encourage other students considering a master’s degree to follow their passion.

“It is never too late to shift your career trajectory toward something that aligns more with your passion,” says Mohammed. “Initially, I felt unprepared for the program because I came from a science background. However, I felt uncomfortable because I was studying in a different field than I was used to. It is essential to challenge yourself and discover your true potential.”

To learn more about Laurier’s Master of Social Justice and Community Engagement program, visit the program website or contact Nicole Morgan at nmorgan@wlu.ca.