Graduate studies committee

Part Time Faculty

Ashkar, Nicolas Instructor MA

Caponis, Philippe Instructor MA

Hamieh, Samar Instructor MA

Hout, Sara Instructor MA

Jreidini, Najwa Instructor PhD

Nabbouh, Salam Instructor MA

Osman, Enja Instructor PhD

Peltekian, Katia Instructor MA

Rasmi, Mahmoud Instructor PhD

Saghbini, Paul Instructor MA

Sinjab, Nisreen Instructor (Fall 2015) MA

2. 
   Research Assistant
   

Spring Semester

Hadla, Fatima

1. 
   Non-Academic Staff
   

Ayyash, Samar Program Secretary

3. 
   TEACHING
   

Student Enrollment in Courses
Sum ’15 Fall Winter Spring Total

UPEN 002 31 03 34

UPEN 003 08 15 31 54

UPSC 001 27 --- 27

UPSC 002 08 15 31 54

UPMA 001 27 --- 27

UPMA 002 08 15 31 54

UPHU 001 08 15 31 54

UPIT 001 27 05 --- 32

UPIT 002 08 15 31 54

UPGR 001A 06 05 01 12

UPGR 001B 04 --- 05 09

UPGR 004 05 05

_____ ___ ____ ____ ______

50. 
    192 10 164 416
    

4. 
   RESEARCH
   

Samar Harkous-Rihan

1. 
   “The Role of individual and contextual factors in the language acquisition of university-bound EFL learners.”
   

5. 
   OTHER STAFF ACTIVITIES
   

Samar Harkouss-Rihan
UPP Activities:

1. 
   Prepared and implemented a special orientation session for new UPP students and their parents.
   
2. 
   Prepared and carried out in-house placement tests for UPP students in order to place them in classes appropriate to their level.
   
3. 
   Interviewed, recruited, and trained one full-time English instructor and several part-timers.
   
4. 
   Assigned coordinators for the different English language courses to ensure that instructors are on the right track and to offer assistance as may be appropriate regarding instructional techniques, organization of practices, etc. for the purpose of providing guidance and mentoring.
   
5. 
   Designed, supervised and taught in the Summer Intensive English program for Graduate Students.
   
6. 
   Participated in the local, AUB Graduate Open House Fair.
   
7. 
   Designed and implemented a new graduate intensive preparatory program for scholarship students. The program consists of a series of three leveled intensive courses offered during the Fall, Winter and Spring. The courses enabled graduate students coming from outside AUB, who did not meet the English Language requirements to join their graduate courses in the Spring.
   
8. 
   Worked with faculty members on the UPP newsletter.
   
9. 
   Coordinated the language skills taught during the winter session: UPGR 003.
   
10. 
    Taught Critical Reading for graduate students during Summer 2015.
    
11. 
    Taught Critical Reading for UPGR 003 students during the winter 2016 session.
    
12. 
    Designed a survey for all UPP instructors to evaluate the UPP program.
    
13. 
    Conducted focus group sessions with the UPP students to evaluate the program.
    
14. 
    Designed and conducted two enrichment Activities for all UPP students: one to Saida’s Old Souk and the other to the Beirut National museum.
    
15. 
    Provided consultancy through the REP office to Hariri Canadian University to evaluate their Intensive English Program.
    

USAID – University Scholarship Program:

1. 
   Served as Director for USP VII, USAID-University Scholarship Program. Every year, this program gives the opportunity to recruit 52 financially needy Lebanese public school students (males and females) to complete their undergraduate studies at AUB.
   
2. 
   Served as Associate Director and Academic Monitor for USP II, IV & V.
   
3. 
   Acting Director of USP VI and Director of USP VII.
   
4. 
   Prepared and implemented a special orientation session for new USP students, their parents and USAID members.
   
5. 
   Followed up regularly on the 200 USP students’ academic progress and administrative needs.
   
6. 
   Followed up on 200 USP students’ civic engagement activities, leadership training and internships.
   
7. 
   Prepared regular reports to USAID on the different aspects of USP II, IV, V, VI, and VII.
   
8. 
   Followed up closely on the USP VII selection committee with AUB Admissions office and Communications office.
   
9. 
   Served as a member for the USP VII selection committee which is responsible for:
   

1. 
   Reviewing all the students’ data and ranking the applicants using composite scores (made of academic standing, financial need and leadership qualities).
   
2. 
   Short listing 304 students from among the 780 applications received.
   

10. 
    Participated in preparing and implementing five Open Days for the shortlisted students during which:
    

1. 
   Students sit for the English Entrance Exam (EEE).
   
2. 
   Students are interviewed to assess their leadership skills and verify their financial need information.
   
3. 
   Students attend an orientation session where they meet with different faculty representatives to help them finalize their selection of their fields of study.
   

11. 
    Participated in writing the USAID/USP VII proposal.
    
12. 
    Participated in writing a Proposal for USAID to recruit refugee students residing in Lebanon.
    
13. 
    Planned organized and implemented two major USAID/USP events to celebrate students’ graduation and giving back to their communities.
    
14. 
    Served as a member on the AUB Scholarships committee.
    

Rima El-Harake

1. 
   Taught Blended Academic Writing courses in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
   
2. 
   Taught a listening/speaking UPGR (Graduate Intensive English for Graduate Students) course during the winter 2016 semester.
   
3. 
   Worked on organizing and designing all UPP syllabi.
   
4. 
   Worked on class schedules.
   
5. 
   Worked on designing and implementing placement tests to determine student levels.
   
6. 
   Coordinated between all full-time and part-time UPP faculty.
   
7. 
   Followed up on students’ academic & non-academic issues.
   
8. 
   Updated information on the UPP website.
   
9. 
   Worked on the program material for the Graduate Open House.
   
10. 
    Assisted UPP Director in the orientation of new UPP students at the start of the Fall 2015-16 semester.
    
11. 
    Worked on updating the online, shared UPP Monthly Evaluation forms that are used to keep track of each student’s progress in UPP.
    
12. 
    Worked on the Spring edition of the UPP Newsletter.
    
13. 
    Assisted the UPP Director in carrying out several focus group meeting with all UPP students to listen to students’ comments, feedback, suggestions and opinions of the program.
    

Sandra El Hadi

1. 
   Teaching: Listening and Speaking, Critical Reading.
   
2. 
   Creating syllabi for courses.
   
3. 
   Creating an exhaustive teacher’s portfolio at the end of each semester, detailing my teaching philosophy, syllabi, daily lesson plans, supplementary material, exams/assessments, etc.
   
4. 
   Taking minutes of UPP Faculty meetings.
   
5. 
   Founding the UPP Fall 2015 Newsletter editorial board.
   

1. 
   Creating editorial board positions.
   
2. 
   Receiving and evaluating applications.
   
3. 
   Selecting editorial board members.
   

6. 
   Editing the UPP Fall 2015 Newsletter.
   

1. 
   Heading editorial board meetings.
   
2. 
   Editing the entire newsletter.
   
3. 
   Coordinating with the Communications office regarding the design.
   

7. 
   Writing USAID USP-AUB success stories.
   
8. 
   Creating USAID USP-AUB posters and booklet for USAID USP-AUB Fall Showcase Event.
   

1. 
   Interviewing USP-AUB students.
   
2. 
   Reading USP-AUB students’ reports.
   
3. 
   Writing poster and booklet content.
   

9. 
   Editing the speeches of USAID USP-AUB students and training the speakers.
   
10. 
    Proofreading the USAID USP-AUB Spring 2015 newsletter.
    
11. 
    Writing press releases for the USAID USP-AUB.
    
12. 
    Co-editing the UPP Spring 2016 Newsletter.
    

Nadine Ghaith

1. 
   Taught Critical Reading, Academic Writing, Vocabulary and Listening and Speaking courses.
   
2. 
   Diagnosed students’ weaknesses and provided additional feedback, exercises and out-of-class support whenever necessary.
   
3. 
   Designed syllabi and course content for various skills.
   
4. 
   Oversaw the academic progress of UPP/USP VI students and monitored their work throughout the academic year.
   
5. 
   Assisted in, and took minutes for, Town Hall meetings with USP VI/UPP students.
   
6. 
   Conducted one-on-one meetings with students to discuss adjustment at AUB, grades, progress, transfer requests and other issues of concern.
   
7. 
   Wrote, edited and designed content for visual material promoting USP students’ achievements.
   
8. 
   Edited department content.
   
9. 
   Assisted students with registration proceedings and class schedules.
   
10. 
    Wrote and compiled reports on students’ academic and leadership progress.
    
11. 
    Wrote success stories covering scholarship students.
    
12. 
    Liaised with various campus units to serve students’ needs (OIRA, Admissions, Student Affairs etc.).
    

Hassan Zreik

1. 
   Taught a variety of skills to UPP levels 2 and 3.
   
2. 
   Taught two UPGR (Intensive English for Graduate Students) courses during the Winter and Spring.
   
3. 
   As Assistant Director of the University Scholarship Program/USAID VII, assisted the Director in organizing meetings, coordinating with different units, and managing the new program.
   
4. 
   Participated in the various activities related to the launch of the USP VII award.
   
5. 
   Coordinated with USAID AOR.
   
6. 
   Coordinated with the different units of AUB, which are partners in this award, including Admissions, Alumni Office, OGC, CCECS, Student Affairs, Recruitment Office and Office of Communications on the initiation of the Award.
   
7. 
   Wrote the different deliverables and reports for USP VII, including the Quarterly Progress Report, the Work Plan, the PMP, the PIRS and M&E Plan.
   

Mohamad Awwad

1. 
   Taught Math courses during the fall and spring semesters focusing on: Logic, Word Problems, Numbers Theory, Matrix Algebra, Probability, Recurrence Relations.
   
2. 
   Designed and taught “Information Technology” IT, to graduate students (UPGR) during the winter session.
   
3. 
   Taught IT courses during the fall & spring semesters focusing on: the implementation of Google site, the creation of a Wiki and a simple introduction to a programming language, MS-Office software, Google tools and main Windows functions.
   
4. 
   Participated in a workshop/training session on Microsoft SharePoint 2007 given by the office of communications at AUB.
   
5. 
   Participated in the management of the University Scholarship Program (USP) and the UPP websites that are sub sites of the official AUB page.
   
6. 
   Organized the general design of the USP & UPP websites (pages names and orders, contents places, etc.) and updated old information.
   
7. 
   Reviewed and restructured 3 syllabi (2 Math and 1 IT) corresponding to UPP requirements.
   

F. PUBLICATIONS

None.

7. 
   FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
   

After the success of the focus group meetings that were conducted with students this Spring 2016, the UPP will be conducting similar focus groups throughout the academic year to ensure that students’ feedback and suggestions be taken into account. It will also be a way of assessing the programs’ goals and objectives.

The University Preparatory Program will keep offering the Summer Intensive English courses (UPGR 001A and UPGR 001B) to newly admitted graduate students coming from outside AUB in order to enable them to function effectively in all-English curricula. The newly designed UPGR courses offered in the Fall, Winter and Spring semesters will be offered by the program as well.
Samar Harkouss-Rihan

Director

WRITING CENTER AND WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES

1. 
   SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS
   

Now entering its twelfth year at AUB, the Writing Center—which comprises both the Writing Center itself and Writing in the Disciplines—is an academic support program reporting to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Writing Center plays a key role in realizing the university’s liberal arts mission and strategic goals: working directly with students, faculty, and staff on developing rhetorical competencies at all levels. In coordination with General Education Program, the Writing Center collaborates with faculty members, departments, and other academic support programs to facilitate Writing in the Disciplines throughout the AUB curriculum.⁶ The Center also offers individual tutoring consultations for writers in the AUB community, leads graduate and undergraduate workshops on writing, and conducts writing- and tutoring-related research. During the last year, the Writing Center has also been ramping up its role regionally, working to make AUB a MENA-leading center of writing- and tutoring-related research and practice and to build service partnerships with community stakeholders.

In addition to offering crucial, consistently well-received support for writers, tutoring in the Writing Center represents a significant learning and professional development experience for tutors. Tutors receive ongoing training and mentorship, and are encouraged to participate in research and in developing resources for writers and for the Writing Center itself. Tutoring staff in 2015-16 included one Senior Tutor (part-time Instructor) in Fall 2015; Graduate Assistants from the Department of English and from CAMES in both Fall 2015 and Summer 2016; and undergraduate peer tutors hired each semester by the Writing Center through the Student Work Study Program. Individual and course-specific tutoring served undergraduate and graduate students at every level, faculty members, and university staff. A consistently high percentage of tutoring hours were used each week, at both the Ada Dodge and West Hall locations, and usage was highest among sophomores and graduate students. Many users (358 of 759) saw value in scheduling two or more consultations, totalling 81.74% of the 2,152 appointments offered.
As per decision of the Provost, with the agreement of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Director of the Writing Center and Writing in the Disciplines, the Center was integrated as an administrative unit into the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in the fall of 2015. An enhanced budget and strengthened administrative structure added an Assistant Director of the Writing Center and an Assistant Director of Writing in the Disciplines, as well as an enhanced budget for hiring undergraduate tutors. The Center’s key needs for 2015-16 include appointment of a dedicated Administrative Assistant (URGENT), streamlining of roles, responsibilities, and remuneration for work to be accomplished during the Winter and Summer breaks, and normalization of support for research that furthers the work and enhances the value of the Center.

2. 
   PERSONNELL
   

1. Full Time Faculty
Ira James Allen Director PhD

Najla Jarkas Assistant Director PhD

Emma Moughabghab Assistant Director MA
Part Time Faculty
Maya Sfeir Instructor (Fall 2015)    MA
2. Research Assistants
Sara Baalbaki

Lara Jubeily

Iman Kaissi

Sandy/Lore Abdallah

Marilyn Elzarkova

Gacia Danaoghlian

Rawan Khayat

Dima Mouallem

3. 
   ACTIVITIES
   

• 
  Students served in 2015-16: 759
  
• 
  Appointments in 2015-16: 2152
  
• 
  Fall: 1213
  
• 
  Spring: 939
  
• 
  Summer: 0 (the Writing Center does not have resources to open during Summer)
  
• 
  Conference papers in 2015-16: 2
  
• 
  Conference papers accepted for 2016-17: 1⁷
  
• 
  Peer-reviewed articles submitted in 2015-16: 1
  
• 
  New peer-reviewed articles in process for 2016-17: 2
  
• 
  Faculty/School-level presentations delivered in 2015-16: 1 (Faculty of Health Sciences)
  
• 
  Key Data from User Survey:
  
• 
  94.89% (N=235) reported that they “agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “I left the session with a clearer sense of the next steps I would take in my writing project” (67.23% strongly agree; 27.66% agree)
  
• 
  95.32% (N=235) reported that they “agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “During the session, I felt intellectually engaged in the discussion about my writing” (70.21% strongly agree; 25.11% agree)
  
• 
  95.75% (N=235) reported that they “agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “I feel that my session at the writing center was productive” (66.81% strongly agree; 28.94% agree)
  

Writing in the Disciplines Activities⁸

• 
  Departments served in 2015-16: 9
  
• 
  Agriculture (initial certification meeting and follow-up emails exchanged)
  
• 
  Audiology (meeting requested by Writing Center)
  
• 
  Biology (several in-person meetings and emails to discuss existing course)
  
• 
  Business (initial certification meeting and follow-up emails exchanged)
  
• 
  Chemistry (emails to discuss support for established course)
  
• 
  Medical Imaging (meeting requested by Writing Center)
  
• 
  Medical Laboratory Sciences (emails to discuss support for established course)
  
• 
  Nursing (multiple meetings, direct support for established course)
  
• 
  Sociology, Anthropology, and Media Studies
  
• 
  Graduate writing workshops delivered in 2015-16: 3, serving ca. 150 graduate students (in collaboration with University Libraries and Graduate Council)
  
• 
  Conference papers in 2015-16: 1⁹
  
• 
  Conference papers accepted for 2016-17: 1
  
• 
  Peer-reviewed articles submitted in 2015-16: 0
  
• 
  New peer reviewed articles in process for 2016-17: 1
  
• 
  Faculty/School-level presentations delivered in 2015-16: 1 (Faculty of Health Sciences)
  

Ira James Allen

Director

ZAKI NASSIF PROGRAM for MUSIC

1. 
   SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
   

Since its founding in December 2004, the Zaki Nassif Program for Music has acted to preserve his musical heritage and simultaneously, organize competitions, concerts, conferences, and seminars. On several occasions, the pogram has also proposed strategic lines that may contribute in strengthening music education and programs at AUB.

Since October 2007, more than 1,000 of Zaki Nassif’s scores were donated to AUB with his heirs granting the University legal title and intellectual property rights of the composer’s music. What is now identified as the “Zaki Nassif Archives,” are safeguarded within AUB’s Jafet Library special collection and made available for music researchers and students who are interested in Lebanon’s musical heritage. The collection is also catalogued in the AUB Library system. Also, every year, the legal advisor of the Program acts on tens of requests from artists (in Lebanon and abroad) seeking licenses for commercial use of Zaki Nassif’s scores and lyrics. On the other hand, the late composer archives are still incomplete. So far, we have currently at hand 250 recordings out of the total 1100 indexed in his Jafet’s repertoire. This leaves a major effort to be undertaken to address Radios, TV’s, and private and public institutions in view of increasing the number of available recordings.

Otherwise, the major accomplishments for this past academic year 2015-2016 are as follows:

1. 
   In coordination with the Office of Communications, the third yearly AUB Zaki Nassif Program festival “Celebrating a Centennial” was held all along this academic year 2015-2016, featuring at least one event each month.
   
2. 
   After the founding of the “Zaki Nassif Program for Music Friends Club” on March 4, 2015, a major initiative was taken by the launching of the “AUB Zaki Nassif Ensemble for Arabic Music,” on February 17, 2016. Maestro George Herro conducts the Ensemble and Manal Bou-Malhab trains the choir. This event was successful enough to have the Ensemble repeat it in the Royal Cultural Center in Amman Jordan, on April 9, 2016. The concert was organized in cooperation with two Lebanese-Jordanian associations that also sponsored a concert “Music from Jordan” on April 28, 2016 in AUB’s Assembly Hall. Eight talented Jordanian musicians performed their own compositions accompanied by the well-known Arab voice, Dr. Ayman Tayssir.
   
3. 
   The seventh Zaki Nassif school choir competition was organized on April 8 (Round 1) and May 13 (Round 2). The winner of this year competition is the Choir of the Rafic Hariri Schools.
   

Committees:

Academic Committee of the Program:

Wadi’ Jureidini, Maher Jarrar, Thomas Kim, David Kurani, Nabil Nassif (Chairperson) and Ramzi Sabra.

Executive Committee of Zaki Nassif Program for Music Friends Club:

Nada Abou-Shakra, Leila Bissat, Ali Ghandour (President), Maher Jarar (Secretary), Sawsan Maktabi, Dalal Nassif, Nabil Nassif (Vice-President), Salma Oueida (Treasurer), Malek Tabbal.

Research Assistants:

Gisele Hebbou (Part-Time) BA (“Maitrise” Musicology from USEK)

Roula Hassoun (Part-Time) Software Engineer from CNAM

2. 
   ACTIVITIES
   

Concerts in Assembly Hall:

1. 
   October 1, 2015, “Honoring AUB President Fadlo Khuri,” by Quatuor del Tempo with guest musicians Tatiana Primak and Soprano Corinne Metni, performing work by Bach, Haydn, Frank, Zaki Nassif, Toufic El Bacha and Salvador Arnita.
   
2. 
   November 1, 2015, “Sounbola Chants Peace,” featuring Oumeima el Khalil and the Fayha’ Choir; Artistic Director: Barkev Taslakian.
   
3. 
   November 10, 2015, Young Ensemble from the Conservatoire performing national heritage; Artistic Director: Charbel Rouhana.
   
4. 
   February 17, 2016, launching of “AUB Zaki Nassif Ensemble for Arabic Music;” Conductor: General George Herro (Retired), Choirmaster: Ms. Manal Bou-Malhab.
   
5. 
   March 11, 2016, Faia Younan sings our heritage.
   
6. 
   March 15, 2016, opening of one week exhibition of ZN archives in Jafet Library, in collaboration with Jafet Library Staff.
   
7. 
   April 7, 2016, “Zakirat Watan”, a concert performed by Montana International college Choir and Dance team accompanied by the harmonic orchestra of the Internal Security forces; Conductor Colonel Ziad Mrad.
   
8. 
   April 28 2016, “Music form Jordan,” with seven Jordanian instrumentalists accompanied by Dr. Ayman Tayssir.
   
9. 
   June 9, 2016, “Honoring AUB’s 150^th and Zaki Nassif’s Centennial,” with the Lebanese Oriental Orchestra conducted by Maestro Andre Hajj.
   

Seminars and Competitions:
April 8 and May 13: Rounds 1 and 2 of the yearly Zaki Nassif’s Schools Choir Competition.
Nabil Nassif

Chairperson

1* Part-time basis, and/or primarily based at another AUB academic unit.

2

3In 1983 an important academic initiative by Prof. Samir Makdisi came to fruition when, with the support five major Lebanese banks the IMB was established as an independent academic entity within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. One of its main objectives was to enhance the level of banking and financial knowledge and expertise in Lebanon and the region via graduate teaching, research work and the hosting of seminars, conferences, public lectures by experts from outside the university. With the 2001 re-structuring of the IMB, its research focus was extended beyond its primary areas of interest to include trade, development and institutions with special emphasis on the Middle East.

4 The Institute Working Paper Series website is linked to the website of the Global Development Network, the umbrella organization for major research communities in various regions of the world

5 Approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, May 16, 2006

6 As recommended by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (in line with best practices at top universities in the United States), and as mandated by the University Senate, every graduating senior must take at least one certified Writing in the Disciplines (WRIN) course in his/her major in order to graduate.

7 Panel organized by AUB WrC and WID at the International Writing Center Association for October 2016.

8 Writing in the Disciplines activities were limited in 2015-16 by the fact that WID did not have an Assistant Director in Fall of 2015; Dr. Najla Jarkas began her appointment as Assistant Director only in Spring of 2016, and was approved for a 1-1 course release for these duties in Fall and Spring of 2016-17.

9 Written, but not delivered due to denial of Omani visa for Dr. Najla Jarkas for her paper accepted for presentation at the Middle East and North Africa Writing Center Association annual meeting, April 2016.