Professional Activities
Lectures
Presented “Teaching Arabic For Proficiency versus for the DLPT,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “Recall Protocol and Content-Based Instruction,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “How to Select Authentic, Semi-Authentic, and Super-Authentic Material,” DLIFLC, 2011.
Presented “Team Building and Enhanced Team Communication,” DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented “Implementation of the LIFT (Leaders in Front Teaching) Initiative and Elements of Effective Teaching,” DLIFLC, 2009.
Presented “HEAD TO TOE” (“Highly Enhanced Authentic Discourse Delivered by a Team of Experts”), an innovative approach to team teaching, DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “The New Arabic Basic Course: Issues and Solutions,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “Meaningful Homework and the Use of the Target Language and Cultural Information in the Classroom,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented an evening of Lebanese zajal poetry at the event “Lebanon: A Story of Survival.” Organized by the Cedars Organization of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2006.
Participated in “Arab Culture Week” of Turath, the Arab Students Organization at Columbia University. Reading of my poetry in both Fusha and Zajal, Fall 2006.
Presented an evening of zajal poetry at Alwaan for the Arts, New York City, Fall 2006.
“Evening with the Poetry of Mahmoud Darwish.” Read excerpts of my translation of his poem, “Antithesis.” Columbia University, Fall 2006.
“Variations on Curriculum Design between Academia and the Defense Language Institute.” Lecture presented at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, June 2006.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran and Anglo-American Romanticism” A lecture presented at the Arabic Studies Seminar, Columbia University. October 2005.
“Khalil Hawi and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.” Lecture delivered at the Department of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University. April 2005.
“Yusuf Abdel Samad and Contemporary Arabic Poetry” AUB Hall, NYC. April 2005.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal) with Yusuf Abdel Samad, at “Alwan for the Arts” NYC January 2005.
“Kahlil Gibran and Arabic Literature in the USA” A symposium presented at the Fiske Planitarium Auditorium, University of Colorado, March 2005.
Presented an evening of Lebanese Zajal poetry during the festival: From Bukhara to Beirut, sung poetry from the Islamic World. Symphony Space, NYC. April 2005.
Participated on a panel, The Cultural Development of the Arab Mind, sponsored by the Arabic Center for Dialogue and Research and the Arab Club at the United Nations, October 2004.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal), sponsored by the Alumni Medical Doctors Class of 1974 of the American University of Beirut, October 2004.
"The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2003.
"The Middle East and the West : Concepts and Misconceptions in Global Issues both Ancient and Current." Calvary Episcopal Church, New York City, 2003.
"Poetry Reading", Matinee of Arabic Poetry and Music, sponsored by the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures. Columbia University, 2003.
"Shock Classes in Arabic." Teaching Fellow Orientation Workshop. Columbia University, 2003.
"Kahlil Gibran: His Life and Works." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
"Reflections on the Life and Poetry of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab." With a reading of his poem "Unshudat al-Matar" in both Arabic and English, Columbia University 2002.
Featured on Columbia's homepage Video Forum. “Lunch and Discussion on the Middle East". Columbia University, New York, NY 2001.
“The Middle East Today: Fact vs. Fiction”, Scholar’s Day, SUNY College at Cortland, NY 2000.
“Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, First International Conference on Gibran, University of Maryland, 1999.
“The Middle East on the Eve of the Millennium”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The Middle East: An Update”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The History of Islam”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Islam and the Current Situation in the Middle East”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Foreign Languages and the Future Job Market”, Homer High School, Homer, NY, 1998.
“Contemporary Arabic Poetry”, SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“Khalil Hawi in Memoriam,” SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“How to Have an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference”, Cortland-Homer Teacher Center, 1996.
“How to Read and Appreciate Poetry”, Homer Intermediate School, 1996.
“Teaching Arabic in the USA”, DLI, 1994.
“Learning to Read or Reading to Learn: Effective Techniques on Listening and Reading for Proficiency”, DLI, 1994.
Originator and Moderator of bimonthly literary roundtable of academic discussion, DLI, 1986-1993.
“The Middle East: Then and Now”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA 1993.
“Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1993.
“The Arab Family Abroad”. DLI, 1993.
“The Role of Women in the Arab World”, DLI, 1993.
“Pre-Islamic Arabia”, DLI, 1993.
“The Use, Application and Selection of Authentic Texts”, DLI, 1993.
“Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language to American Adult Students”, DLI, 1993.
“Islamic History: Insights and Analysis”, DLI, 1992.
“Arabic Civilization and Thought”, DLI, 1992.
“Medieval Arabic Poetry: An Overview”, DLI, 1992.
“Cross-Cultural Communication”, DLI, 1992.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran”, DLI, 1992.
“Introduction to Romanticism”, DLI, 1992.
“Lebanon: A Nation Under Siege”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA, 1991.
“Western Influences on Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1991.
“Diglossia”, DLI, 1989.
“Language: A Living Being”, DLI, 1986.
“The Arabic Language: A Cultural Analysis”, DLI, 1986.
“Culture and Religion in Prewar Lebanon”, DLI, 1984.
Commencement speech at the Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya”, Lebanese University, 1982
“The Free-Lebanon Movement”, SUNY Binghamton, 1980.
“al-Shi’r wa al-iltizam”, SUNY Binghamton, 1979.
Poetry Readings
As a published poet in Modern Standard Arabic and Lebanese Dialect, I have been invited to give numerous poetry readings from my own works (both published and unpublished). Invitations have been extended from the Arabic Departments at Columbia University, the Defense Language Institute, the Comparative Literature Department and the Arabic Circle at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the Arab Club at Cornell University, the Christian Teaching Institute in Beirut, Lebanon, the Arab Club in Monterey, CA and the Arab Club and the Literary Circle in Beirut, Lebanon. Since 1972, I have given scores of readings from my own poetry.
Interviews
Personal interview on poetry and language by the GLOBE, Winter Issue 2011, DLIFLC (Click to see article).
“Learning Your Alif, Ba, Tas. Arabic Students Struggling, Organizing to Learn Difficult Language.” Columbia Spectator, November 2005.
“Unique Arabic Courses Introduced to Columbia” Columbia Spectator, June, 2002,
“New Columbia Arabic Summer Program to be Launched Through Continuing Education." Columbia University's Record, 2002.
“Columbia Arabic Summer Program" Voice of America Radio, 2002.
“Kahlil Gibran on Modernizing Arabic Language and Poetry”, KAZU Radio,
Pacific Grove, CA 1991.
“The Middle East Crisis”, Channel 7 Television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“Crisis in Lebanon”, Public Broadcasting television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“The Middle East Crisis”, WIBX Radio, Utica, NY, 1978.
Conferences
Participated in the DLIFLC Commandant’s annual off site meetings and provided valuable input, Presidio of Monterey, CA, 2008 – 2012
Organized annual school-wide conferences on Meaningful Homework and Grammar Clinics; increased student and team motivation and moral improvement, proper student counseling and reducing student attrition. Hosted Open House on LIFT (Leaders In Front Teaching) Initiative and Students’ Talent Show, DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, CA, 2008 – 2012.
Attended and presented on the Arabic Dialect Program at DLIFLC at the Language Flagship Annual Meeting, University of Portland, Oregon, May 2012.
Participated in a job fair to interview, evaluate and recruit Levantine and Iraqi Arabic teachers, Dearborn, Michigan, October 2011.
Presented on the success of the Dialect Experiment at DLI to the Board of Visitors and also during the FAO (Foreign Area Officers) Summit , DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, 2011.
Attended MESA Conference and participated in a roundtable discussion on teaching MSA versus dialect and how best to develop a curriculum, San Diego, CA, 2010.
Invited to serve on the Boron Fellowship Review Panel in Washington, DC, 2010.
Attended and presented at the DELTAB (The Defense Language Testing Advisory Board) meeting in Washington, DC on the development, progress and success of the Iraqi Dialect Course, 2010.
Presented on the Arabic Curriculum at the FAO Summit, DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented to the BOV for accreditation on the Iraqi and Levantine Dialects, DLIFLC, 2010.
Attended and participated at the NSEP session at the Flagship Annual Meeting, Monterey, CA 2010.
Presented “In House Training at DLI” at the conference on foreign languages, the University of Texas, Austin, January 2010.
Presented “The Iraqi and Levantine Dialect Course: A Dean’s Perspective” at the Arabic LEARN conference in West Point, NY, 2010.
Attended ACTFL and led an impromptu session on teaching MSA versus dialect, San Diego, November 2009.
Represented DLIFLC in information exchange and lessons learned in the teaching of Arabic with DLI Washington and the Foreign Service Institute, Washington, DC, August 2009.
Served as Chairperson on DLI’s sponsored events: “Windows to the World Symposium” 2009 and “Merit Pay Panels” 2008 – 2011, DLIFLC.
Selected to represent DLIFLC at the Danish Defense Institute to initiate discussion on the teaching of MSA and Dialect for a pilot Iraqi dialect class, Denmark, December 2008.
Represented DLIFLC and met with the leadership team to assess the current curriculum and students’ proficiency in Arabic at Fort Gordon, September 2008.
Paper entitled “4+2: Reaching Higher Proficiency Levels through a Better Curriculum” accepted at the NCOLCTL Conference, NYC, Nov. 2008.
Paper entitled “Assessing Higher Performance Standards” presented at DLI Conference, Presidio of Monterey, March 2008
Paper entitled “Arabic Dialect First” presented at the Summit to Assess Dialect Proficiency, DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, February 2008.
Attended 2006 MESA Conference, Boston, MA, and conducted interviews for candidates applying to Columbia University’s Arabic position, November 2006.
Attended and participated in the 2005 MESA Conference, Washington D.C. November 2005. Presented a paper entitled: “Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.”
“Total Immersion Curriculum for the Advanced Levels in Arabic” with Foazi El-Barouki, DLI. A workshop presented at the North East Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. NYC, April 2005.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the “Oxford Round Table” discussion of a special session entitled “Global Security in the 21st Century” at Lincoln College, in the University of Oxford, England.
Invited to give a presentation and participate in the Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran. April 2006. University of Maryland, College Park.
Attended and participated in the 2004 MESA conference, San Francisco, November 2004. Presented a paper entitled, “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical
Interpretation.” Also chaired a panel, “Dynamics of Culture in the Gulf Arab States: Part II.” And represented MEALAC at the meeting of the Center for Arab Study Abroad (CASA).
Attended the “Seventeenth Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics,” sponsored by the
Arabic Linguistics Society (ALS), the University of Oklahoma, March 2004
Attended ACTFL, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended AATA, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended "Foreign Languages Collaborations and the Web." Conference of the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning. The University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
Invited to present a paper on the contemporary Lebanese/Arab poet, Khalil Hawi, at the Arabic Literature Seminar held in conjunction with the ACLA annual convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2002.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the open discussion at the Conference of L' Academie Culturelle Arabe in Amman, Jordan, December 2002.
Attended and read a paper at the First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran at the University of Maryland, 1999.
Attended ACTFL, Monterey, CA 1989.
Attended ACLA, New York University, NY, 1982.
Attended MESA, Washington, DC, 1980.
Attended Comparative Literature Association, Chicago, IL, 1978.
Attended ACLA, Graduate Student Conference, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1978.
Memberships/Committees
Appointed by the Commandant to serve on the 2012 Professor Rand Advancement Board, DLIFLC 2012.
Chair of the Grammar Clinic Training Committee to train faculty in enhancing their understanding and teaching of Arabic grammar concepts, DLIFLC 2007-2011.
Chair of the task force that conducted school-wide research on student and team motivation. Results were used to improve morale and standards, DLIFLC 2009 – 2010.
Chair of the committee to review the Arabic Basic Course syllabi. Resulted in a significant improvement to the Arabic program curriculum, DLIFLC, 2007-2010.
Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for selecting and hiring two new full time lecturers in Arabic Studies, Columbia University, Fall 2006, Spring 2007.
MEALAC Search Committee member to interview and select a new full time lecturer in Hindi/Urdu, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Fulbright Campus Committee member to review applications for evaluation and nomination, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Participated in the validation of the Defense Language Institute’s Proficiency Test (DLPT). DLIFLC, Summer 2006.
Member of the screening committee for NSEP (National Security Education Program) serving as the Middle East expert to review applications and recommend candidates for scholarships, NSEP, 2006-2007.
Member of a MEALAC senior thesis committee for a translation project of an Arabic novel, Columbia University, 2006-2007.
Nominated to the Executive Board of AATA (American Association of Teachers of Arabic) 2007.
Co-Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2005-2006.
Member of NECTFL, 2005.
MEALAC Search Committee Member for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
Member of Ameen Rihani Organization, "Scholars’ Desk," 2002-present.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, March 2003.
MEALAC Search Committee member for selecting a new Turkish Language
Lecturer, Columbia University,2003
MEALAC Committee Chair for Summer Language Program, Columbia University, 2003-2004.
MEALAC Committee member assigned to revise the Department’s Bylaws, Columbia University, 2004.
MEALAC Committee member to revise application for Title VI grant, Columbia University, 2002.
MEALAC search committee member for selecting a new Arabic language lecturer, Columbia University,2002.
Columbia Language Committee, Columbia University, 2000-2007.
Middle East Studies Association of North America (ongoing)
The Arabic Linguistics Society, 2000-2006.
American Association of Teachers of Arabic (ongoing).
Lebanese Studies Association 2000-2005.
Curriculum Committee, Columbia University, Dept. of Middle East and Asian Languages
and Cultures, 2000.
Better Business Bureau of Central New York, 1997- 1998.
Faculty Advisory Council, DLIFLC, 1991-1993.
Originator and Board Member of Middle East School Faculty Newsletter, DLIFLC, 1992.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Hispanic Employment Program Committee (HEPC), Chairman of Statistics and Analysis Committee and active in fund-raising activities, DLIFLC, 1987.
Arab-American Club of the Monterey Peninsula, 1986-1990.
Modern Language Association, 1982-1984.
National Teacher’s Association of Lebanon, 1973-1982.
Vice-President, Departmental Graduate Student Association, SUNY at Binghamton, 1977-1978.
Founder, President and Life Member, Beirut Youth Cultural Society, Beirut, Lebanon, 1972-present.
Vice-President, the Cultural Assembly, Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1970-1972.
Management Enrichment
During my tenure as a manager at the Defense Language Institute, I completed a wide variety of training courses to enhance my managerial skills. These courses in part addressed the role of leadership in the areas of positive communication, sustaining group dynamics, sharpening negotiating skills and building team cohesiveness. This training also focused on reinforcing the importance of good interpersonal relations, eliminating or successfully defusing conflict in the work place, and keeping the lines of communication between management and employees open. Topics like why to hire the handicapped and prevention of sexual harassment were thoroughly explored.
Lectures
Presented “Teaching Arabic For Proficiency versus for the DLPT,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “Recall Protocol and Content-Based Instruction,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “How to Select Authentic, Semi-Authentic, and Super-Authentic Material,” DLIFLC, 2011.
Presented “Team Building and Enhanced Team Communication,” DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented “Implementation of the LIFT (Leaders in Front Teaching) Initiative and Elements of Effective Teaching,” DLIFLC, 2009.
Presented “HEAD TO TOE” (“Highly Enhanced Authentic Discourse Delivered by a Team of Experts”), an innovative approach to team teaching, DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “The New Arabic Basic Course: Issues and Solutions,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “Meaningful Homework and the Use of the Target Language and Cultural Information in the Classroom,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented an evening of Lebanese zajal poetry at the event “Lebanon: A Story of Survival.” Organized by the Cedars Organization of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2006.
Participated in “Arab Culture Week” of Turath, the Arab Students Organization at Columbia University. Reading of my poetry in both Fusha and Zajal, Fall 2006.
Presented an evening of zajal poetry at Alwaan for the Arts, New York City, Fall 2006.
“Evening with the Poetry of Mahmoud Darwish.” Read excerpts of my translation of his poem, “Antithesis.” Columbia University, Fall 2006.
“Variations on Curriculum Design between Academia and the Defense Language Institute.” Lecture presented at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, June 2006.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran and Anglo-American Romanticism” A lecture presented at the Arabic Studies Seminar, Columbia University. October 2005.
“Khalil Hawi and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.” Lecture delivered at the Department of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University. April 2005.
“Yusuf Abdel Samad and Contemporary Arabic Poetry” AUB Hall, NYC. April 2005.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal) with Yusuf Abdel Samad, at “Alwan for the Arts” NYC January 2005.
“Kahlil Gibran and Arabic Literature in the USA” A symposium presented at the Fiske Planitarium Auditorium, University of Colorado, March 2005.
Presented an evening of Lebanese Zajal poetry during the festival: From Bukhara to Beirut, sung poetry from the Islamic World. Symphony Space, NYC. April 2005.
Participated on a panel, The Cultural Development of the Arab Mind, sponsored by the Arabic Center for Dialogue and Research and the Arab Club at the United Nations, October 2004.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal), sponsored by the Alumni Medical Doctors Class of 1974 of the American University of Beirut, October 2004.
"The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2003.
"The Middle East and the West : Concepts and Misconceptions in Global Issues both Ancient and Current." Calvary Episcopal Church, New York City, 2003.
"Poetry Reading", Matinee of Arabic Poetry and Music, sponsored by the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures. Columbia University, 2003.
"Shock Classes in Arabic." Teaching Fellow Orientation Workshop. Columbia University, 2003.
"Kahlil Gibran: His Life and Works." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
"Reflections on the Life and Poetry of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab." With a reading of his poem "Unshudat al-Matar" in both Arabic and English, Columbia University 2002.
Featured on Columbia's homepage Video Forum. “Lunch and Discussion on the Middle East". Columbia University, New York, NY 2001.
“The Middle East Today: Fact vs. Fiction”, Scholar’s Day, SUNY College at Cortland, NY 2000.
“Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, First International Conference on Gibran, University of Maryland, 1999.
“The Middle East on the Eve of the Millennium”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The Middle East: An Update”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The History of Islam”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Islam and the Current Situation in the Middle East”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Foreign Languages and the Future Job Market”, Homer High School, Homer, NY, 1998.
“Contemporary Arabic Poetry”, SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“Khalil Hawi in Memoriam,” SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“How to Have an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference”, Cortland-Homer Teacher Center, 1996.
“How to Read and Appreciate Poetry”, Homer Intermediate School, 1996.
“Teaching Arabic in the USA”, DLI, 1994.
“Learning to Read or Reading to Learn: Effective Techniques on Listening and Reading for Proficiency”, DLI, 1994.
Originator and Moderator of bimonthly literary roundtable of academic discussion, DLI, 1986-1993.
“The Middle East: Then and Now”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA 1993.
“Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1993.
“The Arab Family Abroad”. DLI, 1993.
“The Role of Women in the Arab World”, DLI, 1993.
“Pre-Islamic Arabia”, DLI, 1993.
“The Use, Application and Selection of Authentic Texts”, DLI, 1993.
“Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language to American Adult Students”, DLI, 1993.
“Islamic History: Insights and Analysis”, DLI, 1992.
“Arabic Civilization and Thought”, DLI, 1992.
“Medieval Arabic Poetry: An Overview”, DLI, 1992.
“Cross-Cultural Communication”, DLI, 1992.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran”, DLI, 1992.
“Introduction to Romanticism”, DLI, 1992.
“Lebanon: A Nation Under Siege”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA, 1991.
“Western Influences on Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1991.
“Diglossia”, DLI, 1989.
“Language: A Living Being”, DLI, 1986.
“The Arabic Language: A Cultural Analysis”, DLI, 1986.
“Culture and Religion in Prewar Lebanon”, DLI, 1984.
Commencement speech at the Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya”, Lebanese University, 1982
“The Free-Lebanon Movement”, SUNY Binghamton, 1980.
“al-Shi’r wa al-iltizam”, SUNY Binghamton, 1979.
Poetry Readings
As a published poet in Modern Standard Arabic and Lebanese Dialect, I have been invited to give numerous poetry readings from my own works (both published and unpublished). Invitations have been extended from the Arabic Departments at Columbia University, the Defense Language Institute, the Comparative Literature Department and the Arabic Circle at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the Arab Club at Cornell University, the Christian Teaching Institute in Beirut, Lebanon, the Arab Club in Monterey, CA and the Arab Club and the Literary Circle in Beirut, Lebanon. Since 1972, I have given scores of readings from my own poetry.
Interviews
Personal interview on poetry and language by the GLOBE, Winter Issue 2011, DLIFLC (Click to see article).
“Learning Your Alif, Ba, Tas. Arabic Students Struggling, Organizing to Learn Difficult Language.” Columbia Spectator, November 2005.
“Unique Arabic Courses Introduced to Columbia” Columbia Spectator, June, 2002,
“New Columbia Arabic Summer Program to be Launched Through Continuing Education." Columbia University's Record, 2002.
“Columbia Arabic Summer Program" Voice of America Radio, 2002.
“Kahlil Gibran on Modernizing Arabic Language and Poetry”, KAZU Radio,
Pacific Grove, CA 1991.
“The Middle East Crisis”, Channel 7 Television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“Crisis in Lebanon”, Public Broadcasting television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“The Middle East Crisis”, WIBX Radio, Utica, NY, 1978.
Conferences
Participated in the DLIFLC Commandant’s annual off site meetings and provided valuable input, Presidio of Monterey, CA, 2008 – 2012
Organized annual school-wide conferences on Meaningful Homework and Grammar Clinics; increased student and team motivation and moral improvement, proper student counseling and reducing student attrition. Hosted Open House on LIFT (Leaders In Front Teaching) Initiative and Students’ Talent Show, DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, CA, 2008 – 2012.
Attended and presented on the Arabic Dialect Program at DLIFLC at the Language Flagship Annual Meeting, University of Portland, Oregon, May 2012.
Participated in a job fair to interview, evaluate and recruit Levantine and Iraqi Arabic teachers, Dearborn, Michigan, October 2011.
Presented on the success of the Dialect Experiment at DLI to the Board of Visitors and also during the FAO (Foreign Area Officers) Summit , DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, 2011.
Attended MESA Conference and participated in a roundtable discussion on teaching MSA versus dialect and how best to develop a curriculum, San Diego, CA, 2010.
Invited to serve on the Boron Fellowship Review Panel in Washington, DC, 2010.
Attended and presented at the DELTAB (The Defense Language Testing Advisory Board) meeting in Washington, DC on the development, progress and success of the Iraqi Dialect Course, 2010.
Presented on the Arabic Curriculum at the FAO Summit, DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented to the BOV for accreditation on the Iraqi and Levantine Dialects, DLIFLC, 2010.
Attended and participated at the NSEP session at the Flagship Annual Meeting, Monterey, CA 2010.
Presented “In House Training at DLI” at the conference on foreign languages, the University of Texas, Austin, January 2010.
Presented “The Iraqi and Levantine Dialect Course: A Dean’s Perspective” at the Arabic LEARN conference in West Point, NY, 2010.
Attended ACTFL and led an impromptu session on teaching MSA versus dialect, San Diego, November 2009.
Represented DLIFLC in information exchange and lessons learned in the teaching of Arabic with DLI Washington and the Foreign Service Institute, Washington, DC, August 2009.
Served as Chairperson on DLI’s sponsored events: “Windows to the World Symposium” 2009 and “Merit Pay Panels” 2008 – 2011, DLIFLC.
Selected to represent DLIFLC at the Danish Defense Institute to initiate discussion on the teaching of MSA and Dialect for a pilot Iraqi dialect class, Denmark, December 2008.
Represented DLIFLC and met with the leadership team to assess the current curriculum and students’ proficiency in Arabic at Fort Gordon, September 2008.
Paper entitled “4+2: Reaching Higher Proficiency Levels through a Better Curriculum” accepted at the NCOLCTL Conference, NYC, Nov. 2008.
Paper entitled “Assessing Higher Performance Standards” presented at DLI Conference, Presidio of Monterey, March 2008
Paper entitled “Arabic Dialect First” presented at the Summit to Assess Dialect Proficiency, DLIFLC, Presidio of Monterey, February 2008.
Attended 2006 MESA Conference, Boston, MA, and conducted interviews for candidates applying to Columbia University’s Arabic position, November 2006.
Attended and participated in the 2005 MESA Conference, Washington D.C. November 2005. Presented a paper entitled: “Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.”
“Total Immersion Curriculum for the Advanced Levels in Arabic” with Foazi El-Barouki, DLI. A workshop presented at the North East Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. NYC, April 2005.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the “Oxford Round Table” discussion of a special session entitled “Global Security in the 21st Century” at Lincoln College, in the University of Oxford, England.
Invited to give a presentation and participate in the Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran. April 2006. University of Maryland, College Park.
Attended and participated in the 2004 MESA conference, San Francisco, November 2004. Presented a paper entitled, “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical
Interpretation.” Also chaired a panel, “Dynamics of Culture in the Gulf Arab States: Part II.” And represented MEALAC at the meeting of the Center for Arab Study Abroad (CASA).
Attended the “Seventeenth Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics,” sponsored by the
Arabic Linguistics Society (ALS), the University of Oklahoma, March 2004
Attended ACTFL, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended AATA, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended "Foreign Languages Collaborations and the Web." Conference of the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning. The University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
Invited to present a paper on the contemporary Lebanese/Arab poet, Khalil Hawi, at the Arabic Literature Seminar held in conjunction with the ACLA annual convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2002.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the open discussion at the Conference of L' Academie Culturelle Arabe in Amman, Jordan, December 2002.
Attended and read a paper at the First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran at the University of Maryland, 1999.
Attended ACTFL, Monterey, CA 1989.
Attended ACLA, New York University, NY, 1982.
Attended MESA, Washington, DC, 1980.
Attended Comparative Literature Association, Chicago, IL, 1978.
Attended ACLA, Graduate Student Conference, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1978.
Memberships/Committees
Appointed by the Commandant to serve on the 2012 Professor Rand Advancement Board, DLIFLC 2012.
Chair of the Grammar Clinic Training Committee to train faculty in enhancing their understanding and teaching of Arabic grammar concepts, DLIFLC 2007-2011.
Chair of the task force that conducted school-wide research on student and team motivation. Results were used to improve morale and standards, DLIFLC 2009 – 2010.
Chair of the committee to review the Arabic Basic Course syllabi. Resulted in a significant improvement to the Arabic program curriculum, DLIFLC, 2007-2010.
Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for selecting and hiring two new full time lecturers in Arabic Studies, Columbia University, Fall 2006, Spring 2007.
MEALAC Search Committee member to interview and select a new full time lecturer in Hindi/Urdu, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Fulbright Campus Committee member to review applications for evaluation and nomination, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Participated in the validation of the Defense Language Institute’s Proficiency Test (DLPT). DLIFLC, Summer 2006.
Member of the screening committee for NSEP (National Security Education Program) serving as the Middle East expert to review applications and recommend candidates for scholarships, NSEP, 2006-2007.
Member of a MEALAC senior thesis committee for a translation project of an Arabic novel, Columbia University, 2006-2007.
Nominated to the Executive Board of AATA (American Association of Teachers of Arabic) 2007.
Co-Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2005-2006.
Member of NECTFL, 2005.
MEALAC Search Committee Member for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
Member of Ameen Rihani Organization, "Scholars’ Desk," 2002-present.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, March 2003.
MEALAC Search Committee member for selecting a new Turkish Language
Lecturer, Columbia University,2003
MEALAC Committee Chair for Summer Language Program, Columbia University, 2003-2004.
MEALAC Committee member assigned to revise the Department’s Bylaws, Columbia University, 2004.
MEALAC Committee member to revise application for Title VI grant, Columbia University, 2002.
MEALAC search committee member for selecting a new Arabic language lecturer, Columbia University,2002.
Columbia Language Committee, Columbia University, 2000-2007.
Middle East Studies Association of North America (ongoing)
The Arabic Linguistics Society, 2000-2006.
American Association of Teachers of Arabic (ongoing).
Lebanese Studies Association 2000-2005.
Curriculum Committee, Columbia University, Dept. of Middle East and Asian Languages
and Cultures, 2000.
Better Business Bureau of Central New York, 1997- 1998.
Faculty Advisory Council, DLIFLC, 1991-1993.
Originator and Board Member of Middle East School Faculty Newsletter, DLIFLC, 1992.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Hispanic Employment Program Committee (HEPC), Chairman of Statistics and Analysis Committee and active in fund-raising activities, DLIFLC, 1987.
Arab-American Club of the Monterey Peninsula, 1986-1990.
Modern Language Association, 1982-1984.
National Teacher’s Association of Lebanon, 1973-1982.
Vice-President, Departmental Graduate Student Association, SUNY at Binghamton, 1977-1978.
Founder, President and Life Member, Beirut Youth Cultural Society, Beirut, Lebanon, 1972-present.
Vice-President, the Cultural Assembly, Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1970-1972.
Management Enrichment
During my tenure as a manager at the Defense Language Institute, I completed a wide variety of training courses to enhance my managerial skills. These courses in part addressed the role of leadership in the areas of positive communication, sustaining group dynamics, sharpening negotiating skills and building team cohesiveness. This training also focused on reinforcing the importance of good interpersonal relations, eliminating or successfully defusing conflict in the work place, and keeping the lines of communication between management and employees open. Topics like why to hire the handicapped and prevention of sexual harassment were thoroughly explored.
