Maria Haddad graduated summa cum laude from William & Mary in 2026 with a double major in Middle Eastern studies and government. She was awarded honors for her undergraduate thesis entitled, “Hashemite Legitimacy Caught in 4K: Contextualizing Jordanian Cinema Amidst Threats to Jordanian Nationalism and Hashemite Legitimacy.” In the MAAS program, Maria is looking forward to continuing her exploration of topics related to the Palestinian diaspora, the role of the Hashemites in the Bilad al-Sham, and Arab American oral history.
Maria has worked closely with professors at the Arab American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) to edit multiple Arabic textbooks. As an undergraduate student, Maria held leadership positions in multiple clubs, such as the Middle Eastern Students Association and William & Mary Fighting for Immigrant Rights and Equity, to build community, promote student advocacy, and to inspire questions. In her free time, Maria enjoys playing cards and competitive swimming. She is also looking forward to learning more about the DC area, particularly the wide array of festivals.