NASPA Online Learning Community

The 2026 MENASA Recognition of Merit Awards

The 2026 MENASA Recognition of Merit Awards

Includes a Live Web Event on 09/16/2025 at 4:00 AM (EDT)

MENASA Majlis are one-hour member engagement sessions that create a space for student affairs professionals in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia area to engage and connect, and to build a culture of support, collaboration, innovation, research, and professional development.

The purpose of our Recognition of Merit Awards is to spotlight best practices and initiatives across the MENASA area that align with MENASA-NASPA values. The MENASA Area strives to recognize significant contributions by institutions and individuals and thus support sharing of knowledge and good practices and to generate conversations among student affairs professionals about innovative and effective practices. The Recognition of Merit Awards further inspire awareness, highlight excellent work being conducted by MENASA Area professionals, promote collaboration and idea sharing, and serve as a platform to connect professionals in the region.

Allison Furlong

Manager – Student Engagement

University of Doha for Science & Technology (UDST)

Allison Furlong is the Manager of Student Engagement at the University of Doha for Science & Technology (UDST) and a 2024 volunteer member of the MENASA NASPA board. With over 15 years of experience in Student Affairs, Allison has extensive knowledge of Student Life and Services as well as International Education, having led service-learning opportunities around the world. Allison also holds a Master of Arts in Global Diplomacy and is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Wadad El Housseini

Consultant to Vice President - Student Affairs

Qatar University

Ms. Wadad Youssef El Housseini started her career as in higher education as Instructor of Social Sciences at Balamand University in Lebanon where she taught for a decade. In 2001, she joined the American University of Beirut as Director of Student Activities. In 2009, she joined Qatar University as Consultant to VP of student affairs where she resumed the responsibility of Acting Director of Student Activities till May 2012. Her role entitled her to get involved in various strategic initiatives to ensure the success of Qatar University students. She is the chair of the Student Affairs Professional Development committee at Qatar University.

Founding member and former vice president for the IASAS (International Association of Student Affairs and Services). Member of the MENASA-NASPA board for 2020-2023. Recipient of the Wisdom Award of the Commission of Women’s Identities – ACPA in 2021. Interested in Leadership of Higher Education and Student Affairs, assessment and women role in higher education.

Well known for having her finger on the pulse of the region, Wadad continues to be an engaged advocate of professional development, and student affairs leadership in the Middle East.

Janelle Rahyns

Senior Director, Global Impact

NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Dr. Janelle Rahyns serves as the senior director for global impact at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She supports the association's international initiatives such as NASPA's Global Division, the MENASA Advisory Board, the MENASA NASPA Conference, the Global Summit on Student Affairs and Services, the International Symposium, the International Exchange Program, and assists in the support of the Latin America and the Caribbean Advisory Board. Prior to joining NASPA, Janelle served as the Assistant Dean at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, and the Resident Director at the University of California Los Angeles. Her research interests focus on African American college students, comparative study abroad experiences, international student affairs, and race and ethnicity in study abroad. Janelle holds a Ph.D. in Social Science & Comparative Education with a concentration in International & Comparative Education from the University of California Los Angeles, an M.Ed in Student Personnel in Higher Education and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida.

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The 2026 MENASA Recognition of Merit Awards
09/16/2025 at 4:00 AM (EDT)  |  60 minutes
09/16/2025 at 4:00 AM (EDT)  |  60 minutes