The Center for Global Studies congratulates FLAS Fellow Farah Mohamed, who has been awarded the 2016 Gilbert S. Omenn Award for Academic Excellence by the UW School of Public Health. The prestigious School-wide honor was established in December 1997 to honor Dean Emeritus Gilbert S. Omenn and to recognize two outstanding graduate students – one at the masters and one at the doctoral level. The recipients are chosen by a faculty committee from among students recognized by their departments, and selection is based on academic contributions to the field of public health, commitment to public health beyond their research, and potential for leadership in public health.
Farah Mohamed received his UW Bachelor of Social Work in the spring of 2014 and immediately entered the Masters in Public Health and Masters in Social Work programs. Farah will graduate with both degrees in June, having been an active leader and exceptional student in both programs. Farah frames every public health problem through the lens of social justice. In his practicum at Health Alliance International (HAI), he used his natural networking talents to forge relationships between HAI and the Somali Health Board to ensure local immigrants and refugees have access to vital health and mental health services.
Farah received Summer 2016 and Academic Year 2015-16 FLAS Fellowships from the Center for Global Studies for the study of Swahili and global health. After graduation, he plans to work with governmental institutions and/or non-governmental organizations in East Africa to strengthen health systems and support the health needs of vulnerable populations.
Read the award announcement here.
FLAS Fellowships are funded by the International and Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education. FLAS fellowships support undergraduate, graduate and professional students in acquiring modern foreign languages and area or international studies competencies. Students from all UW departments and professional schools are encouraged to apply. Find out more about the FLAS Fellowship here.
