Zahraa Habeeb named Anderson Award recipient

Zahraa Habeeb, a doctoral candidate in English, is the recipient of the University of Missouri’s Donald K. Anderson Teaching Assistant Award for graduate teaching assistants. Habeeb was selected from a campuswide pool of nominees in recognition of her lasting impact in the classroom, her sustained enthusiasm and commitment, and her mentorship of peers and undergraduate students.  

Habeeb leads with purpose and high standards by building learning environments where students are challenged and supported. One student wrote, “Zahraa Habee has been not only an outstanding instructor, but a pillar of support, empowerment, and mentorship for me and my peers.”  

In addition to teaching 14 sections of English 1000, Habeeb has created and taught multiple literature classes cross-listed with Women’s and Gender Studies, reaching an interdisciplinary population. A graduate-student colleague emphasized Habeeb’s collaborative approach to teaching and mentorship, writing, “From the moment I met Zahraa, she was immediately eager to share resources, discuss challenges, and provide invaluable feedback on the daunting task of teaching for the first time.” 

The impressive list of courses she has developed and taught includes "Virginity Codes in Global Literature and Cultural Narratives;" "Women Rewrite Faith, Belonging, and Identity Beyond Borders;" and "Women in Middle Eastern Narratives: Beyond Veils."