By: Mustafa Rfat
As a McDonnell Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a diverse and supportive academic network. This network not only provides an opportunity to collaborate with fellow scholars but also allows for meaningful connections beyond our immediate circles. A recent example of this occurred when I was contacted by Dr. Joonmo Kang, an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and a fellow Brown School and McDonnell Academy alum.
Although Dr. Kang and I had not crossed paths before, he reached out after adopting one of my articles, “Exploring the Intersectionality of Disability and Refugee Statuses: Reflecting on My Refugee Journey,” as part of his course readings. He shared how the article had resonated with his students, sparking valuable discussions around human rights, disability, and refugee experiences. Inspired by the impact the article had on his class, Dr. Kang extended an invitation for me to guest lecture in his course, “Human Rights: Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.”
I was honored to accept this invitation and look forward to sharing my insights and experiences with his students. This collaboration, facilitated through the McDonnell Scholar network, reflects the program’s mission of fostering strong, cross-disciplinary relationships that extend far beyond graduation. It’s a testament to how the connections we make within this network can create lasting academic and professional opportunities.
Mustafa Rfat joined the McDonnell Academy as a global scholar in 2021 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work at the Brown School, WashU.
Joonmo Kang, a McDonnell Academy alumnus, joined the Academy in 2016 from Seoul National University, one of McDonnell Academy’s partners. Kang earned his PhD in Social Work from the Brown School, WashU in 2022.