Annual Reports

ArabAmCC Annual Reports Heading link

blueish lavendar background, title of report in pink on top, the year in green, a drawing of a table with colorful table cloth and plates of food, tea cups on it, logo of the center in white at the bottom

In our seventh year, we launched extensive programming for Arab American Heritage Month, expanded our support programs for students, and organized 42 public events and successful collaborations with the Institute for Humanities and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at UIC and the Arab American Action Network and the Arab Resource and Organizing Collective.

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This year, we continued building community and expanding programming. We celebrated our 5th year anniversary nourishing our roots and expanding our branches to benefit our campus community. We piloted our summer Leadership Institute, advanced work on our Qisassna Program, and organized our Graduation Haflah in-person. We also relocated from Stevenson Hall to 101 Taft Hall

blue backgroun, title of report in white color on top, the year in red color, a drawing of a table with colorful table cloth and plates of food, tea cups on it, logo of the center in white at the bottom

Despite a year fully remote, our programming continued to be rich and our engagement with our student community growing. We advocated with our students for a Middle East and North Africa category on campus to visibilize our students, their struggles and their accomplishments. We also launched new programs to help us record and tell our stories and center our voices (our Oral History, Archival, and Storytelling project) and we engaged in conversations important for our community from our daily realities here and abroad.

blue backgroun, title of report in white color on top, the year in red color, a drawing of a table with colorful table cloth and plates of food, tea cups on it, logo of the center in white at the bottom

The year 2020 required embracing uncertainty and new technologies as we continued building community across a virtual landscape. While we had to cancel or postpone 18 events due to COVID-19, including much of our Women, Gender, and Sexuality in MENA Initiative, and our annual Zaffah, Knafeh, and Graduation Haflah, we also established new initiatives that deepen, challenge, and expand what connects us as a people. The fight for racial justice has further pushed us to attend to diversity & difference within Arab & Arab American communities, and to stand accountable for those too often sidelined. Review the Report for more information.

Two bands one on top and one at the bottom of Islamic geometric art design in light blue and brown colors. the middle larger band horizontally is white background with the name of the center, the title of the report and year in black colors at the center and the UIC circular red logo

In its third year, the ArabAmCC has continued in building community and expanding programming. It has built on the success of the first two years, invited more speakers to highlight current events about the region and its disaspora, and brought together students, faculty, staff, and community in building community.

two bands on top and bottom are of islamic geometric art in light blue and brown. in the middle there is a white background with the name of the center, report, and year in black script and the UIC red circular logo.

In its second year, the ArabAmCC sought to expand its service to UIC by strengthening its infrastructure, increasing its visibility, educating the campus, expanding collaboration with other centers, documenting needs of students, and providing training.

blue background, title of report in white color on top, the year in red color, a drawing of a table with colorful table cloth and plates of food, tea cups on it, logo of the center in white at the bottom

In October 2016, UIC made history by creating the First Arab American Cultural Center on a campus in the country. The Center opened its doors to students, faculty, staff, and community that helped begin this new and powerful journey.