The Global and Intercultural Affairs Center is excited to welcome two new members to the team. We invite you to learn more about them and how they will contribute to fostering global awareness within our campus community.
Name: Marwah Almuzoughi
Title: Coordinator of Intercultural Student Engagement
A few key things you do at UD: In my role, I support intercultural student engagement through programs and initiatives that bring students together across cultures. As I transition into the role, I will oversee the Global Learning Living Community, where students live and learn together with a shared focus and interest in intercultural learning and global citizenship. I will also co-lead and help strengthen the Diversity Peer Educators Program and oversee the GIA Center World Associate student employee program. Alongside these programs, my role is to collaborate with partners across campus to design dialogues, workshops, and programs that build intercultural skills, global awareness, and strengthen a sense of belonging for all students at UD.
Hometown and favorite place in the world: I was born in Tripoli, Libya, and moved to Dayton about ten years ago, which has since become a second home for me. My favorite place in the world is Tripoli—it’s where my family is from and where I draw a deep sense of connection to my roots. Growing up there has shaped me into the person I am today and continues to inspire my interests and passion for peace.
Why I wanted to work in global and intercultural education: As someone who has lived across cultures, I know firsthand how challenging—but also rewarding—those experiences can be. I wanted to be in a role where I could help students navigate that journey, find meaningful connections, and celebrate the richness of their identities. To me, global and intercultural education is not just about crossing borders—it’s about building bridges. It is also a critical step toward peacebuilding, not only nationally and regionally, but globally.
One thing I can’t live without: Community. Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or students, being surrounded by people who inspire and support one another is what keeps me grounded and motivated. The opportunity to be part of a strong, welcoming community was one of the biggest reasons I chose to accept my new role at UD.
Name: Grace Cannon
Title: Administrative and Program Assistant
A few key things you do at UD: I’m the Administrative and Program Assistant, which basically means I’m part calendar wrangler, part meeting matchmaker, part document editor—and overall the person who helps keep the GIA team running smoothly. I split my time between the GIA Center and the Honors Program, so I get to wear a couple of different hats and support both teams in their work.
Your hometown and your favorite place in the world: My hometown is a little place called Chagrin Falls—yes, it’s as quaint and quirky as it sounds! Growing up in a small town definitely gave me the itch to see the world (let’s just say, I was ready to explore beyond Northeast Ohio). Since then, I’ve been lucky to travel quite a bit, which makes choosing a favorite place almost impossible. But if I had to pick, it would be either Burgazada, a charming little island off the coast of Istanbul with the kindest people, or the vast, otherworldly Sahara Desert in Morocco—two very different places that both stole my heart.
Why you wanted to work in global and intercultural education: I want to work in global and intercultural education for two big reasons. First, I think education is one of the most powerful things a person can have—it can open doors, shift perspectives, and change the course of someone’s life. Getting to support students from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences as they pursue that feels both exciting and meaningful. Second, I just love meeting people from different cultures. There’s something magical about the unique ways people express joy, love, and community—it’s like getting to see the world through a whole new lens every time. And honestly, the more of that I get to experience, the better.
One thing you can’t live without: I honestly can’t live without my journal—it goes everywhere with me. It’s the one place where I can write freely without judgment, almost like having a conversation with myself. What I love most is that when I revisit my days on the page, I end up noticing little lessons or details I completely missed in the moment. It’s part memory-keeper, part therapist, and part travel buddy—all in one notebook.