The Peer Liaison program was developed to offer extra support through a range of events and initiatives that assist first-year students in adjusting to life at Yale College, particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Peer Liaisons (PLs) are upper-level student leaders who have been selected and trained to mentor first-year students. Each program is uniquely structured to address the specific needs of different communities, but all aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for first-year students.
Peer Liaisons
Noor Kareem
Head PL + Murray and Franklin PL
Year: Senior
Major: Ethnic Race and Migration Studies, Energy Studies Certificate
Hometown: Dearborn, MI
Favorite Class: Gender and Citizenship in the Middle East
Marhaba and welcome to Yale Class of 2028! My name is Noor Kareem and I am so excited to be the Murray and Franklin PL, as well as the head PL this upcoming year for the newly established MENA space (woohoo)! I am a rising senior in Pauli Murray majoring in Ethnicity Race & Migration and completing a certificate in Energy Studies. I am from Dearborn, Michigan but I am originally Iraqi. In my free time, I love playing volleyball, getting boba and going on walks. On campus, I have been involved in the Arab Students Association, the Yale Review of International Studies and Yalies4Palestine. I was also a AACC-MENA PL last year, which was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Yale. I could not have imagined having a space and community like this my first year, and I am beyond excited to help build the new MENA space with you all throughout your first year. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions about anything at all! Can’t wait to meet you all :)
Fagr Aboudaka
Davenport and Pierson PL
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Queens, NY
Hobby/hobbies: Writing and performing spoken word
Hey!! My name is Fagr (pronounced fa-jer)! I am ethnically Egyptian and was born and raised in Queens, NYC. My neighborhood and borough are filled with various MENA communities and one of my favorite places is a street in Queens nicknamed “Little Egypt.” It has amazing food and was the place to be when Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals. Previously, I founded the MENA Culture Club at my high school and co-created an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art PS1 about Arab women and their stories of migration, resilience, and belonging in NYC. I have dedicated a lot of my time to sharing my culture as a North African woman in fun and meaningful ways and am excited to continue doing that through my role as a Peer Liaison! :)
Katrina Azar
Jonathan Edwards and Branford PL
Year: Sophomore
Major: Cognitive Science
Hometown: Southfield, MI
Favorite food: Shakriya
Hello Class of 2028, and welcome to Yale! I’m Katrina Azar, a sophomore in JE (go spiders) from Southfield, MI. I’m excited to be the Jonathan Edwards + Branford PL. On campus, I’m involved with the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal (I’m prelaw) and the Urban Improvement Corps. I’m also working with a few others to get a Yale debke group going, so check that out! In my free time, I love going for walks around campus and basking in its beauty (you should see it in the fall) as well as rewatching old TV shows (throwbacks just hit different). I love composing music in random JE piano practice rooms, and I always enjoy meals with the coolest friends. I know starting college at Yale can be both exciting and daunting, but just know that we all have faith in you, and you will thrive! If you ever need anything, I’m always down to text, email, or even meet up, no matter what (hey, we’ve all been there). And with the new MENA space, your dreams of baking, ranting, chatting, chilling, etc., etc. are bound to come true. I truly am looking forward to getting to know you all this year :)
Koosha Maleknia
Grace Hopper, Trumbull, and Timothy Dwight PL
Year: Junior
Major: Economics, Persian & Iranian Studies Certificate
Hometown: Grayson, Georgia
Favorite study spot on campus: TD Library (top floor)
Welcome to Yale, Class of 2028! My name is Koosha Maleknia and I’m the MENA PL for Grace Hopper, Trumbull, and Timothy Dwight this year! I’m a junior in TD majoring in Economics with a Certificate in Persian Studies, and I was born and raised outside of Atlanta, Georgia. On campus, I’m involved in research and the Persian Students Association. This past year, I served as one of the inaugural AACC-MENA PL’s, and I couldn’t be more excited to run it back. In my free time, I watch a lot of sports (NFL, NBA, CFB, UFC, EPL) and enjoy adding to my Lego Architecture collection. You can usually find me hanging out with friends in TDButt, scrambling to find a cubicle in Bass, securing a seat at the basketball games, and hopefully making use of the new MENA space on campus! I’m looking forward to meeting you all, and I hope we can bond over some good food and conversation throughout your first year at Yale. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Layan Nazzal
Silliman and Berkeley PL
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science and Ed Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Favorite Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Hihi Class of 2028!! I’m Layan, and I am excited to be your Silliman and Berkeley MENA PL this year! I’m a junior studying Political Science and Education Studies, and on campus I’m involved with Yale’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) organization as well as Yalies 4 Palestine. I also serve as a public school Intern at Metro high school here in New Haven :) I am Palestinian, but I was raised in Chicago (chi-town all the way). I love trying new food, cooking, hosting dinner parties and events, and taste testing the best coffee and pastries around New Haven (ask me about my list). I am so excited to meet all of you and get to know you. I know the first year can be both exciting and overwhelming. I’m here to help with whatever you need, whether it’s food recommendations, things to do in New Haven, or general advice about transitioning to Yale. Please know I am always here to listen <3
Satia Hatami
Saybrook, Morse, & Stiles PL
Year: Senior
Major: Statistics & Data Science, Energy Studies Certificate
Hometown: Orange Country, California
Favorite class: American Energy History
Hey hey class of 2028! My name is Satia and I’ll be serving as the Saybrook, Morse, & Stiles MENA PL this year! I’m a senior in Saybrook College (Saywhat?!) majoring in Statistics & Data Science with a certificate in Energy Studies. Beyond academics, I work as the Head Aide for Saybrook College. In my free time, I enjoy baking, reading, and taking explorative walks around campus with my friends. As a returning PL, I’m more than happy to share my experiences and answer any questions about life at Yale, so feel free to reach out anytime!