The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently reported on the growing number of Muslim college students and the ways that schools, including those with Christian affiliations, are adapting to the increasing religious diversity of their student bodies. One way that colleges are improving the experiences of their Muslim students is by hiring advisers like Fardosa Hassan ’12, Muslim student program associate at Augsburg College.
The article reports that since she accepted the position last summer, Hassan has organized weekly prayer meetings for Augsburg’s Muslim students, recruited the help of a therapist and imam to undercut the idea that seeking treatment for depression is un-Islamic, and has taken Religion 100 students to visit local mosques. “Islam has called me to serve my community,” Hassan said, and her work has not gone unnoticed.
When asked about Hassan, first-year student Mohamud Mohamed ’19 said that “Fardosa is our guide. She is our connection to the outside world.”
College pastor Sonja Hagander said that given the growing number of Muslim students, “it was really key to have a Muslim student adviser.”
The article notes that nationwide more than 50 colleges, including Ivy League schools such as Yale and Princeton, have hired advisers for their Muslim students.
Read More Minnesota colleges are hiring advisers to work with Muslim students on the Star Tribune site.
The Augsburg mission affirms that the College community is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. The fourth annual “Creating an Inclusive Campus” conference, which will be held May 22-24 at Augsburg, calls us to ask what this commitment means, to celebrate what we are doing right, and to engage in dialogue about how we can continue to improve.
On Monday, Sept. 17, Augsburg College will host nationally recognized speaker, trainer and performer Elaine Penn for a mini-convocation entitled “Be the Change: Help Create a Better World.” The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will be followed by lunch and conversation in the East Commons (class schedules will not change).