David Holt, Ph.D
Director, Middle East Studies Program
PhD Comparative Politics
University of Chicago, 1998
MA Political Philosophy
Claremont Graduate School, 1984
BA History
University of California San Diego, 1981
Trained in comparative politics of the Middle East and political philosophy, Dave presently compliments these studies with a focus on the development of Near Eastern religious traditions generally-Pagan, Jewish, Eastern Christian, and Islamic. As Director of MESP since 2002, he also focuses on various aspects of program development such as recruiting new speakers, internships, service projects, and other means of connecting MESP students with vocational opportunities in the ME region.
Dr. Diaa Nashed
Assistant Director, Middle East Studies Program
BS/MD
Ain Shams University Cairo, 1995
MA Administration
Ain Shams University [Magna Cum Laude], 2000
MBA
Maastricht University, 2008
After serving as a medical officer in the Egyptian Army for two years, Dr. Nashed felt the call to refine his gifts of administration by attending the MA program in Administration at Ain Shams, graduating first in his class. He came to MESP as a travel agent and part-time, volunteer administrator at Qasir Dubarra Evangelical Church. While serving MESP as Assistant Director of Administration since 2002, he has begun and completed his MBA. A conscientious steward of MESP finances and infrastructure, Dr. Nashed continues to insure quality control over the quality of student life in Cairo and while traveling. Covering such wide areas of administration enables the Director, David Holt, to focus on developing academic aspects of the program.
Nahed Awany
Lecturer in Arabic Language & Linguistics at AUC (American University in Cairo)
MA, Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language, 1991
High Graduate Diploma in TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language,
American University Cairo, 1989
BA Economics
American University Cairo 1969
PhD candidate, Arab Linguistics
American University Cairo
Nahed Awany is an experienced Arabic instructor and program administrator whose skills are sought at US universities like U of Michigan, Dartmouth, and Middlebury as well as private organizations like Reuters, USAID, and Amideast. Teaching at AUC since 1983, she began the MESP program in 1993 where she continues to serve. Currently PhD candidate at AUC in Arab Linguistics, she presents at conferences and stays active in her discipline. She is the author of Anistuna, a basic textbook of Egyptian Arabic used by MESP. She is also fluent in English, French, and Turkish.
Madiha Mohieldin
Lecturer in Arabic Language at American University Cairo & MESP
BA Economics
American University Cairo, 1973
With MESP since 1993 and a faculty member at AUC for over 25 years, Ms. Mohieldin has wide experience as a language administrator and consultant to organizations like Amideast and the Central Bank of Egypt. Fluent in English and French, she continues to share her knowledge of the Arabic language and culture with generations of foreign nationals studying in Cairo, including those at MESP.
Nahed Rashed
Lecturer in Arabic Language at American University Cairo & MESP
BA Language and Linguistics
Ain Shams University Cairo 1982
Diploma, Teaching Arabic as a Second Language 1984
Nahed Rashad has taught at AUC & at MESP since 2002. She is fluent in French and English and continues to teach the fastest paced course in Egyptian Arabic at MESP
Chahinda Karim
Lecturer in Islamic Art & Architecture at American University of Cairo & Islamic History at MESP
PhD Islamic Architecture
Cairo 1987
MA Islamic Art & Architecture
American University Cairo, 1978
BA Islamic Art & Architecture
American University Cairo, 1974
Long recognized as one of Cairo's most knowledgeable experts on Islamic Art & Architecture, Dr. Karim has taught at AUC since 1983 both in the classroom and the "Cairo Lab", introducing students and special visitors to the many local architectural wonders of the Muslim world. Her teaching interests also include Islamic history and religious development, subjects she has shared with MESP students since 2002. Since 1990, she has taught Islamic history and Art history for the faculty of tourism at Helwan University. Naturally, her specialized knowledge and expertise has made her a much sought after consultant on issues related to Islamic history and civilization.
MESP Resident Life Interns
MESP selects two alumni to serve for one year as RLIs. These alum, one male and one female, facilitate the student access to the locals, assist them with personal needs, and help the MESP staff with administrative details related to the quality of student life. They are very important both to staff and students in terms of quality control and staff accountability.
