Mohamed Becomes First Husky to Earn Distinguished Luce Scholarship
Fatuma Mohamed, CSSH’20, Political Science and International Affairs; CSSH’24, International Affairs
Mentors: Kwamina Panford, Richard Wamai, and Nicole Aljoe.
Fatuma Mohamed’s experiences growing up in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya and resettling in the United States have profoundly shaped her commitment to advocating for displaced and marginalized communities. She seeks to deepen her interdisciplinary approach to addressing global inequalities and is passionate about bridging research and advocacy.
Fatuma earned both her Master’s in International Affairs (2024) and her undergraduate degree in Political Science and International Affairs from Northeastern University, with minors in Africana Studies, History, and Gender Studies. Throughout her academic journey, She was deeply influenced by faculty and staff mentors at Northeastern who challenged her to critically engage with global inequities. Courses such as Postcolonial Women Writers with Professor Nicole Aljoe deepened her understanding of resistance, identity, and the power of narrative in marginalized communities, shaping her approach to advocacy. Economy, Politics, and Social Change with Professor Doreen Lee enhanced her understanding of how colonial and imperial legacies shape contemporary inequalities, while Climate Change and Global Urbanization with Professor Gavin Shatkin sparked her interest in the intersections of migration and urbanization, particularly in how displaced populations navigate informal infrastructures and urbanization. Under the guidance of her Honors senior thesis advisor, Professor Amilcar Barreto, she deepened her commitment to critically analyzing complex issues, recognizing the power of research and scholarship in exposing and addressing injustices.
As an undergraduate, Fatuma worked as a research assistant on projects related to environmental health injustices in U.S. cities, U.S.-China relations, and West African economic development. During her co-op with the Research Opportunities for Undergraduates: Training in Environmental Health Sciences (ROUTES) program, she examined urban health disparities and environmental justice, collaborating closely with faculty and students. She completed her second co-op at Northeastern’s Africana Studies program, where she found continued mentorship among faculty such as Professors Kwamina Panford, Richard Wamai, and Nicole Aljoe. As a Summer Scholars Independent Research Fellow (SSIRF), she conducted research for her honors thesis on the impact of surveillance and policing on Somali youth, examining the intersection of Islamophobia and anti-Black racism.
As a student leader, she was involved with the Opportunity Scholars & Outreach Programs office as a Northeastern University Neighborhood Scholar recipient. She served as a Program Assistant at the Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE), Vice President of Students Against Institutional Discrimination (SAID), and was engaged with the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Fatuma is a dedicated community organizer and youth advocate. She co-founded Hormar Academy, a mentorship program supporting Somali high school students in Greater Boston, and currently serves as the Director of Youth Advocacy at the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). In this role, she leads initiatives to empower Muslim youth through leadership development and civic engagement and has conducted statewide research on the experiences of Muslim students in public schools, particularly regarding Islamophobia, anti-Muslim discrimination, and bullying. She also provides professional development training for educators and community members on fostering inclusive environments.
Fatuma’s return to the Dadaab Refugee Camp where she was born in 2022 reaffirmed her passion for understanding and addressing the challenges faced by displaced populations. Her Master’s studies focused on forced displacement, migration, and refugee experiences across various regions. She is particularly interested in the ways urbanization, climate displacement, and migration intersect, shaping the lives and futures of marginalized groups. At a moment when over 120 million people have been forcibly displaced and are met with hostile policies and xenophobia, she believes it is critical to reconsider our understanding of citizenship and the right to movement and protection.
As a Luce Scholar, Fatuma seeks to deepen her understanding of refugee and migrant experiences across Asia, engaging directly with advocates, researchers, and communities. This immersive experience will enhance her cultural fluency and equip her with the skills to become a more effective advocate, collaborator, and problem solver in addressing global displacement challenges.
Fatuma remains committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding, building equitable and resourced communities, and working toward a more just world—one where all people have access to education, the freedom to move, and the opportunity and resources to thrive.