MASTER’S STUDENT NAJLA SHAWA: USAID PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR

SPP Student Najla Shawa

Najla Shawa, a native of Palestine who is getting her master’s degree from SPP, is at George Mason as a Presidential Scholar chosen by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID funds the studies of Palestinians they consider potential leaders who can play prominent roles in the development of the economy and society.

"The scholarship program was started under President Clinton’s administration, when it was initiated to provide special assistance for Palestinian students interested in pursuing graduate studies," Shawa notes. She became interested in George Mason after realizing SPP’s master’s program would provide her an excellent opportunity to focus on her academic interests, like sociology and international development, within a public policy school. "I also liked George Mason because it’s so close to Washington," she says, noting that she thought it would be interesting to study in such a politically-charged environment. USAID pays for all of her SPP tuition expenses, as well as covering English classes and a monthly stipend.

For more information on the USAID Presidential Scholarship program, visit their web site,
http://www.usaid.gov/wbg/program_education_activity_4.htm.