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The University of San Diego would like to congratulate all of our wonderful students who are graduating this year. We will be spotlighting students from across campus, sharing their educational journeys leading up to graduation.

Shanadi Eissa is graduating from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies with a Master of Arts in Social Innovation.

Her entire life, Eissa has straddled different cultures. Her family is Palestinian, and she grew up in Lima, Peru. Walking in and out of her home, Eissa would be crossing between different worlds. At times as a child, she said, that could pose various challenges. But as she grew, it became a strength. Being between two different cultures, she learned what she loved about them both, and gained a unique perspective in the process.

"There were questions coming from both sides - my Peruvian friends and my family," she said. "That's when I started becoming this bridge builder."

Eissa says she's passionate about human connection and building bridges. After graduating, one of her goals is to work with youth in Peru, to train them as leaders and equip them with the tools they need to enact positive change in their communities.

Celebrando la promoción de 2024: Shanadi Eissa

Shanadi Eissa, es graduada de la Escuela de Paz y Justicia Joan B. Kroc con una Maestría en Innovación Social.

Durante toda su vida, Eissa ha tenido que navegar diferentes culturas. Su familia es palestina y ella creció en Lima, Perú. Al entrar y salir de su hogar, Eissa cruzaba entre diferentes mundos. A veces, de niña, eso podía representar varios desafíos, pero a medida que crecía, esos desafíos se convirtieron en una fortaleza interna. Al estar entre dos culturas diferentes, aprendió lo que amaba de ambas y adquirió una perspectiva única en el proceso.

"Habían preguntas provenientes de ambos lados: mis amigos peruanos y mi familia", dijo. "Fue entonces cuando empecé a convertirme en esta constructora de puentes".

conectar a los seres humanos y construir relaciones y puentes de entendimiento es algo que apasiona a Eissa. Después de graduarse, uno de sus objetivos es trabajar con jóvenes en Perú, para capacitarlos como líderes y equiparlos con las herramientas que necesitan para generar un cambio positivo en sus comunidades.