By Laila Casiano | Staff Writer

Nora Bouzihay has worked for Arkansas State University since 2019, where in the past year and a half she’s been the assistant director for multicultural affairs. Students have said her work has uplifted and impacted student organizations, aided and supervised graduate assistants and multicultural ambassadors. 

Bouzihay earned her undergraduate degree in biology and minored in chemistry at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as well as had a part-time job alongside the U.S. government in Dubai for educational purposes and interest. She was later accepted to the Clinton School of Public Service, where she earned her masters. She is currently working on her doctorate degree in student affairs at UALR. 

Bouzihay is becoming the newest assistant to the president for Equity and Title IX at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). Her last day at A-State is Dec. 1.

Bouzihay has a passion for representation and aiding first-generation college students, women, underrepresented student populations and Muslim women taking on leadership roles in higher education.

When asked about her greatest accomplishment made during her time working for A-State she said, “I am humble enough to tell you that I have not done enough.”

As Bouzihay leaves, her legacy remains with her students and the people in the Multicultural Center who’ve taken on leadership roles and higher-up positions because of her. 

Benjamin Mack, a psychology graduate student from Sikeston, Missouri, met Bouzihay in 2019 when she was known as “this woman who was threading eyebrows in the Union.” Mack wanted to know her and since then he’s been working alongside Bouzihay as the administrative specialist in the Multicultural Center. 

When speaking about the impact Bouzihay made on Mack, he said she helped clear his indecisiveness and concerns for what he wanted to pursue. 

“She helped me realize what I was passionate for, what I was driven to pursue and what my strengths or mental capabilities are best fit for,” Mack said. 

Now, Mack wants a career in higher education, wanting to make an impact similar to Bouzihay.

Dulce Vincente, a junior studying social work from Bryant, was advised by Bouzihay when they first met. When characterizing her, Vincente said she was a wonderful leader that shows you to truly love what you do.

“She’s a true sister and showed me so many things. She told me to be nothing but myself and taught me how to grow, to set boundaries, to set goals and taught me how to not just love myself but to love what I am doing,” said Vincente. 

Bailey Davis, native to Piggott and a junior studying special education, was a student under Bouzihay when she was an instructor for making connections. Davis said being a student for Bouzihay was great, as she was very interactive, intuitive, helpful, present and active throughout the course. 

“I went through a lot my first two years in college, lost a couple of my friends and was struggling to find my place and she was just there. She acted as an ear for me, listening to me. She reached out to see if I was okay, and offered hugs. She played a very active role in my life. She’s very important to me and in my college life,” Davis said.

Amber Yates, a sophomore studying communication from Salem, was first introduced to Bouzihay in 2019, when Yates was interested in a career that valued Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). She began volunteering for the Multicultural Center and now serves as an ambassador. Yates later joined the sorority Bouzihay advised, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha. 

“People come to the Multicultural Center solely to see Ms. Nora. Ms. Nora is irreplaceable. It’s going to be hard finding someone who is going to fill in her shoes and I am really sad to see her go. Her impact on the students here is something I’ve never seen. She advocated for everyone and not a lot of people do that. This place is going to be fine but it’s not going to be like anything that it was when she goes, but I know that she is going to do great things where she is going to go and I’m excited to see their (SEMO) growth with her,” Yates said.

Alicia Sustaita, a senior studying sport management from Little Rock, was coached by Bouzihay from the transition studies program back in 2019. Sustaita views Bouzihay as a prevalent role model in her life, but also sees her as a mother figure, as she had experienced the loss of her own mother. 

“I don’t think that I’d be where I am without Ms. Nora. I don’t think I’d still be here in college if it wasn’t for her help,” Sustaita said. 

The students said Bouzihay has done so much not only for A-State, but also for the students and people that felt like they didn’t belong. They added that her warmth, love, understanding and heart will be remembered.

“Life is superficial. Life is temporary. So be prideful of your heritage, of your culture, of yourself. Challenge others. Stay together. Continue to advocate for yourself and continue to make a difference and though it may seem like the world is falling apart there are people in the world who are noticing the work you are doing, encourage anyone to never give up and never allow someone to belittle you, know your worth, know your value, continue to strive and that the work you are doing is valued and appreciated,” Bouzihay said in her farewell message to her students.

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