Iyad Jamaly is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in comparative ethnic studies with minors in history and Indigenous studies. During his time at Cal Poly, he participated in several research projects, but the one he is most proud of is an oral history project titled Mawtini: Arab American Narratives of Home and Belonging. The project focused on documenting Arab American voices on the Central Coast, primarily in San Luis Obispo County, and, more importantly, on building community among Arab Americans in the region. As part of the project, Iyad served in multiple roles: interviewer, interviewee, and student researcher. His research interests include Arab American studies, Palestinian diaspora studies, oral history, and Indigenous studies.
For Iyad, MAAS represents the next step toward earning a PhD and becoming a professor of Palestinian/Arab American studies. He was drawn to the program’s focus on Arab studies, the work of scholars specializing in Palestine, and its lectures and events related to the Arab world. He is also interested in exploring the museums and exhibitions in Washington, D.C.