Georgetown University Hosts MEPI Student Leaders Accelerator Workshop in Amman
On August 19, 2025, Georgetown University convened the Student Leaders Program (SLP) Accelerator Workshop in Amman, Jordan, bringing together 67 alumni from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for three days of intensive collaboration, reflection, and strategic planning. This in-person gathering marked a significant milestone in the program’s ongoing efforts to deepen alumni engagement and amplify the civic leadership cultivated through the SLP summer program — an investment that strengthens U.S. partnerships, promotes regional stability, and supports long-term prosperity.
The event was inaugurated with two powerful keynote addresses. Anthony Miranda, Public Diplomacy Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, welcomed alumni with words of encouragement and emphasized the importance of sustained civic engagement across borders. Sami Hourani, serial entrepreneur and founder of For9a.com, inspired participants with his journey from being part of the very first SLP cohort in 2004, to launching one of the region’s leading youth opportunity platforms. His remarks underscored the enduring impact of U.S.-funded leadership training and the potential of alumni to drive innovation, inclusion, and economic resilience in their communities.
The workshop featured dynamic lightning talks by Raghad Alkhojah, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan, and Odeh Haddadeen, Digital Business Sector Manager and founder of the Open Circles Community. Both speakers shared insights on private sector leadership, digital transformation, and the power of cross-sector collaboration to unlock youth potential and foster economic growth.
Designed to equip alumni with tools to enhance their community impact, the Accelerator Workshop focused on strengthening regional networks and advocating for the sustainability of youth leadership initiatives. Participants included alumni from 15 countries, representing diverse sectors such as education, public health, entrepreneurship, and civil society—fields that contribute directly to safer, stronger, and more prosperous societies.
Aymen Abderrahmen, Assistant Director of the Student Leaders Program at Georgetown University, emphasized the importance of centering alumni voices in program evolution:
“This workshop was a powerful reminder that our alumni’s grassroots leadership aligns deeply with U.S. priorities for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous world. Whether advancing civic engagement, economic opportunity, or inclusive governance, their work reinforces the values and goals we share — and Georgetown is proud to help amplify that impact.”
The closing ceremony was attended by Renae Stein, Deputy Director of the Assistance Coordination Regional Office in Kuwait, and Conor McGuire, Deputy Director of the Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) bureau’s Assistance Coordination Regional Office (ACRO) in Rabat, Morocco. Their presence underscored the U.S. government’s continued commitment to empowering youth leaders, fostering regional collaboration, and advancing shared security and prosperity goals.
Georgetown University remains deeply grateful to the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) for their continued support of the Student Leaders Program. With over 1,500 alumni across 19 countries, the SLP continues to foster civic engagement, cross-cultural understanding, and leadership that contribute to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for all.
Related Program
Student Leaders Program
The MEPI Student Leaders Program is a U.S. Department of State sponsored leadership program for undergraduate student leaders from the Middle East and North Africa. The CIED-designed curriculum allows students to develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society and democratic leadership.