Dr. Nina Shoman-Dajani describes herself as a community-oriented leader. “I believe in making community-based decisions within our department,” she shared. “I want everyone to feel like they are a stakeholder and, with the work we do, working collectively is very important to me.”

Shoman-Dajani has demonstrated excellence in leadership in each of her roles since starting at Moraine Valley 15 years ago. Her passion for connecting students with resources, dedication to empowering her staff to serve the community and commitment to Moraine Valley’s mission earned her the 2025 Vernon O. Crawley Leadership Award.

Shoman-Dajani began her tenure at Moraine Valley as an English Language Learner specialist. She later served as coordinator of English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction, Curriculum and Transition prior to becoming manager of Transition and ESL. Her professional experience encompasses roles in both student and academic affairs, including several years as an adjunct instructor at Saint Xavier University, University of Illinois Chicago and Moraine Valley.

She was key in transforming the Adult Education Program at the college. According to her nominating colleagues in Learning Enrichment and College Readiness, “Nina has helped transform the Adult Education Program at Moraine Valley, moving it from a secluded program on campus to one that has gained statewide and national recognition.”

Her efforts to expand staff to meet program needs, extend opportunities for professional development in her department, strengthen the program’s relationship with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) adult education administrators and share the college’s work at regional and national conferences is indicative of her dedication to student success.

Shoman-Dajani said, “In a professional capacity, I’m really proud of helping propel Adult Education from a program that fell under the radar at the college, historically, to one that is a well-known program on our campus, in our community, across the state and nationally.” She noted that adulteducation programs are important because they serve some of the most marginalized communities.

Her influence extends beyond her professional experience. She is the advisor for the Arab Student Union and was instrumental in the establishment of the Arab American Academic Excellence Scholarship. One of Shoman-Dajani’s nominators and supervisor, Michael Morsches, dean of Learning Enrichment and College Readiness, shared, “Despite all her accomplishments, Nina’s primary talents revolve around her passion for our students, staff and faculty. Nina could be in many other roles in many other places, but she loves Moraine Valley and our mission.”

Shoman-Dajani serves on several boards and committees and is the executive director of the Chicago Palestine Film Festival. She has received several recognitions and awards, including her recent acceptance to the Cultivate: Women of Color Leadership Cohort.

Shoman-Dajani shared, “Every day, I am reminded of the immense privilege that I have to just wake up and be able to come to work in an environment that is safe. As someone who identifies as a Palestinian American, I’m reminded that I have been provided with a privilege to serve our campus student community in a way that I shouldn’t take for granted.”

In considering this award, Shoman-Dajani said that she is honored and humbled to be recognized and uplifted by her team, “I really couldn’t do this work – serving immigrant communities, refugees and adult learners who are coming back to earn their Illinois High School Diploma – without my colleagues in the office. And so, I see this work as a collective recognition of the work that we do in B260 and not just as an honor that I’m receiving myself.”