Decoding DEI: From conflict to campus
Associate Professor Zulfia Zaher's journey of resilience and advocacy at CMU
By Natalie Yamarino
Special to Central Michigan Life
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the proper country of birth Prof. Zaher's husband, as well as updated to reflect his place of employment.
Had the Taliban regime had its way, Associate Professor Zulfia Zaher wouldn't be where she is today.
“The denial of schooling highlighted the importance of education and its role as a pathway out of poverty and conflict,” Zaher said.
Zaher's journey from war-torn Afghanistan to Central Michigan University is evidence of resilience, diversity and the power of education.
According to the university's 2022 Faculty and Staff Climate Survey, international employees at CMU feel largely respected by administrators (90% agreement) but feel less represented on the University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (57.1% agreement).
Life journey
Born and raised in war territory, Afghanistan, Zaher's life has been shaped by experiences that have deeply influenced her perspective on diversity and inclusion.
Zaher was born during the Soviet Union's occupation of Afghanistan and was only 4 years old when the Soviets left. Afghanistan then went through a civil war that greatly disrupted Zaher's life and education.
The biggest impact happened when the Taliban came to power.
"It stopped girls like me from going to school," Zaher said. "That experience made me value education even more."
Today at CMU, Zaher is a voice for the international faculty and a symbol of support and empowerment for all university community members. An associate professor in the School of Communication, Journalism and Media, she has spent more than a decade working with national and international women's organizations, humanitarian programs and even as an analyst for NATO's media in Northern Afghanistan, according to her biography.
"Language barriers, mostly different accents and cultural differences, should not be seen as weaknesses, but rather as strengths and symbols of bravery," Zaher emphasized.
She highlighted the importance of listening to international community members' voices, addressing their needs, and integrating their valuable perspectives into CMU's academic community.
"By advocating for inclusive policies and support networks," she said, "we can cultivate an environment where international faculty can thrive and enrich the academic landscape with their diverse experiences and insights."
Zaher's religious and cultural background as a Muslim from Afghanistan have played a significant role in shaping her values and outlook on life.
Her upbringing in a country damaged by conflict and her experience as a refugee in Canada gave her a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of inclusivity. She describes her religious background not as a defining factor, but rather as one of many experiences that have shaped her understanding of the world.
"I survived three air strikes,” Zaher said “I lived as a refugee in Canada. I came here to study, get my Master's (and) Ph.D, and finally I got a job. I got married here, to my husband," a native of Bangladesh who is an assistant professor at Grand Valley State University.
"Those experiences, I think, shaped me more than my religion,” she continued.
Support on campus
Arriving at CMU in 2018, Zaher found a campus that was diverse. She highlighted the presence of international students and faculty from around the world, creating a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds.
Zaher talked about how diversity goes beyond mere representation: It is about listening to and incorporating the voices and perspectives of all individuals, regardless of their background.
In her personal experience, the university has been extremely supportive of her career growth and development. Despite taking maternity leave at CMU, Zaher was able to achieve early promotion and tenure.
“I went on maternity leave, that rarely happens for a female international faculty member ... and still I managed to go one year early," she said. "So, this is how supportive this entire school was.”
Zaher said other universities may not be as supportive of international female faculty members, particularly regarding maternity leave, and emphasizes that taking maternity leave is a natural and necessary aspect of life, not a fault or flaw.
“But those things are held back against the faculty that you are not there, like, for an entire semester," Zaher said.
Zaher's personal experiences with diversity, equity and inclusion have been both challenging and rewarding. As an international student earning her master's and Ph.D. at Ohio University, she faced overwhelming assumptions and challenges.
“I had to exert twice the effort of my peers, due to not starting with a solid educational foundation,” Zaher said. “Despite these obstacles, my determination propelled me forward, serving as a driving force in overcoming adversity and achieving academic success.”
However, at Ohio University, she also found support and opportunities to share her unique perspective, which she believes was valued by the university community.
One of the key aspects of diversity for Zaher is inclusion. She emphasized that true diversity cannot exist without inclusivity, where all individuals are valued, respected and given equal opportunities to thrive.
At CMU, Zaher feels supported and valued, citing the university's proactive efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion through initiatives.
“If there is no inclusion, there is no diversity.” Zaher said “If you want to bring different colors and people from different backgrounds together, it's just tokenism that they are just there as a token for you to show off that you're diverse but not. Diversity for me doesn't exist without inclusion.
"That is the key: inclusion is the key.”
Senior Yamarino is in the Journalism 445 capstone class that contributed to this series.
