BA in Global Affairs

Reem Almadhoun, 2021

Reem Almadhoun is a passionate humanitarian professional that is dedicated to addressing global crises and supporting refugees. She earned her Bachelor’s in Global Affairs with a concentration in International Development and a minor in Nonprofit Studies from George Mason University in 2021. 

Reem currently serves as an Assistant Program Officer at Mercy Corps, she provides technical oversight to ensure donor compliance, producing high-quality reports, grant agreements, in addition to supporting proposal development. Her role involves collaborating with country teams and HQ offices to address implementation challenges, track funding opportunities, and align operational processes. Leveraging her bilingual skills, Reem ensures accuracy in Arabic-English translations for multi-lingual donor submissions, supporting the successful delivery of complex, multi-donor programs in fragile contexts. 

Her transition from Program Coordinator to the MENA/Europe Regional Program Team has provided her with invaluable experience in implementing USAID-funded projects and navigating the complexities of working in unstable regions. 

Prior to this, Reem worked as a caseworker with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she directly assisted refugees from Afghanistan and Syria in their resettlement journeys in the U.S; obtaining living essentials such as housing, food, and medical care, as well as developing individualized needs assessments and self-sufficiency plans and providing ongoing support to help her clients achieve their goals. This hands-on experience allowed her exposure to diverse cultures, helping her gain understanding of deep challenges faced by vulnerable communities in which she aims to widely support one day. It enhanced her flexibility and cultural sensitivity, equipping her with the skills to adapt and respond effectively to dynamic and evolving situations.  

Reem credits her Global Affairs degree at George Mason for equipping her with essential skills in qualitative research, critical thinking, presenting, and public speaking which she actively uses in her work at Mercy Corps. Her final project on food malnutrition and food insecurity in Yemen is now a significant part of her professional portfolio as she now leads projects addressing food insecurity in the region. Moreover, while at George Mason, Reem collected donations for the UNHCR, participated in the Nonprofit Fellows program, and studied abroad in Jordan, all of which enhanced her professional career and deepened her understanding of her field. 

Looking ahead, Reem is considering attending Columbia University and other international universities for her master's degree in international development and Humanitarian Emergencies. She is a proud Mason alumna who wishes to contribute to the University and plans to return to George Mason in the future.