Mestenhauser Student Award

Bassel M. El Mrawed is a Fulbright Scholar pursuing a Master of Human Rights, an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Liberal Arts and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Bassel worked with International Student and Scholar Services as a student leader during orientation for incoming Fulbright scholars and other international students. Bassel has been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at fostering community and unity among students, as well as including the voices of international students. As co-president of the Humphrey School’s Gender and Sexuality Policy Event Committee, Bassel ensured that international students were represented among the leadership board. Bassel also served as the Humphrey international student representative to the Student Services Fee Committee, bringing increased awareness to the needs of international students. Bassel received the MINN Fellowship, studying partnerships between local NGOs in Minnesota and those overseas. Bassel is also currently collaborating on a research project with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to improve transportation equity for underserved communities.