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Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Florida International University
Sweetwater, Florida
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
George Washington University
Washington. D.C.
Howard University
Washington, D.C
American University
Washington, D.C.
Mississippi State University
Starkville, Mississippi
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
University of Texas, Austin
Austin, Texas
Webster University
Webster Groves, Missouri
Programming with Purpose
Our chapters host expert speaker events, facilitate roundtable discussions, and provide access to publishing opportunities through The Needle, our national journal. But the goal goes beyond programming. Through chapters, we invest in people—students who will carry the values of clarity, respect, and informed engagement into the careers they build.
Skills for Difficult Conversations
We believe that conversations about the Middle East and North Africa—especially when tied to identity, trauma, or political unrest—require not only knowledge, but emotional intelligence. That’s why our approach centers on equipping students with the skills to lead difficult discussions without turning them into battles. We want our chapter leaders to foster thoughtful, good-faith engagement: the kind that brings people into the conversation rather than pushing them out.
A National Movement
Through our chapters, we’re building a national movement—one that connects students with each other, with subject matter experts, and with the global issues that will shape their generation. Together, we are creating spaces for learning, leadership, and a more informed future.
WHAT A CHAPTER MEANS
The Role of Campus Chapters
CIMEA’s campus chapters are the foundation of our work. They connect national strategy with local context, enabling students to lead informed, intentional conversations about the Middle East and North Africa. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, we work directly with student leaders—individuals who understand their campus environment and can identify the approaches most needed to engage it. Our role is to support their efforts with tools, networks, and expert access that raise the standard of dialogue and education on their campus.
Tailored to Each Campus
We recognize that not every campus looks the same. Some are shaped by intense debates or conflict between students. Others may have little to no public conversation on the region at all. Some campuses have built-in support systems; others don’t. Rather than forcing every chapter into the same mold, we focus on empowering students with the context and lived experience to identify what their campus needs most—then we support them in building it.
Expanding Access Nationwide
Our chapter model allows us to reach students across the country, including those at schools without robust international affairs programs, Arabic courses, or access to D.C.-based networks. It’s our way of making sure that geography, resources, or institutional prestige don’t define who gets to lead and learn.
CAMPUS CHAPTERS
