SAPS February Newsletter

Përshendetje!

Welcome all to the first installation of the Shoqata SAPS monthly newsletter! In this series, we will be highlighting events that took place over the previous month, inform you about upcoming ones and highlight members’ stories. February was an eventful month and we can’t wait to catch you up on all that we have been working on.

Firstly, on February 17th we hosted an event celebrating Kosova’s Independence Day at Georgetown University. Our president Aron Tocaj gave the introductory speech and moderated as Kosova’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Ilir Dugolli and Dr. Elton Skendaj, Director of the Democracy and Governance Program at Georgetown University spoke to students attending live as well as virtually. They shared insights on Kosova’s journey throughout its sixteen years of development and its implications on the rest of the region. Students had the opportunity to ask both speakers probing questions and learn about the diplomatic and political intricacies that have shaped  Kosova’s journey. Mr. Alexander Arvizu, U.S. Ambassador to Albania from 2010 to 2015 and now the Director of the Donald F. McHenry Fellows Program, honored us by attending the in-person event and sharing his wealth of knowledge. It was truly a fitting celebration of one of the most momentous developments in Albanian history!

Here are some pictures our members shared from the event:

Last Saturday, in collaboration with ALSA, we hosted Egzona Morina, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the field of neuroscience, who spoke about her journey from Kosova to MIT. Dr. Morina earned her MSc from Columbia University and Ph.D. from University College London, where she founded the Xheladin and Xhufe Morina Foundation to foster STEM education in Kosova. At MIT’s Department of Biology, Dr. Morina is developing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with global reach, combining her passion for digital learning and educational innovation.

A close collaboration with ALSA, the Albanian student organization in the United Kingdom, the event brought together students from all over the diaspora, both virtually as well as in person on MIT’s campus. Students noted how personal and relatable Egzona’s journey was, in addition to the invaluable professional advice she shared.

Last but certainly not least, we are excited to announce that one of our Board members, Lorena Culaj has launched the Eagle Pod!

About EaglePod

Through engaging interviews, meaningful conversations, and a celebration of success, EaglePodaims to be a beacon of inspiration, connecting people and stories that resonate with the spirit of achievement within the Albanian community. Each episode will feature a successful American-Albanian in their respective fields and will highlight their achievements and personal journeys. EaglePod strive to make a positive impact by inspiring individuals to purse their goals, overcome challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

About the EaglePod Host 

Lorena grew up in North Carolina, but her roots trace back to Shkodra. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology from East Carolina University. Throughout her undergraduate years, she worked as a researcher, biology tutor, and medical scribe. She also volunteered at multiple hospital/clinic sites and held leadership roles in multiple campus organizations. She recently finished her master’s in health administration from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Lorena plans to apply to medical school in 2024. In her free time, Lorena enjoys traveling, cooking, staying active, and spending time with family. 

Lorena’s interest in creating the EaglePod began when she realized that there are untold success stories in the Albanian community, and she wanted to build a platform to give these successful individuals a voice. Her passion for podcasting stems from a love for connecting with people and sharing knowledge, and she hopes that EaglePod will strengthen cultural pride and unity withinthe Albanian community. 

In addition to being EaglePod host, she is SAPS Outreach Committee Lead and feels so happy and blessed to be a part of such a supportive and encouraging Albanian community. 

 EaglePod Featured Guests

 The EaglePod episodes come out every other Monday at 12 PM (EST). EaglePod’s first guest episode featured Luka Lamaj, co-founder and CEO of Docere Health. Other guests include…

- Dr. Klair Lubonja

- Ermal Vila

- Aron Tocaj & Rei Rama

- Klea Ahmet 

- Faton Limani

- Arisa Reka

- Dr. Egzona Morina

On the podcast, Lorena will have conversations with notable Albanian Americans, detailing their stories,  struggles and successes. This will include not only SAPS members but esteemed professionals in the fields of science, art, law and beyond. We are excited to see where Lorena takes her initiative and urge everyone to subscribe to the podcast. If you want to be featured or otherwise involved with the project, you can reach out directly to the Eagle Pod Instagram!

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Thank you for tuning in to our first monthly newsletter. We will keep you constantly informed about our initiatives and exciting opportunities in the months to come. Feel free to reach out to us over email or any of our social media accounts with any questions or suggestions. Until next time!

Gjithë të mirat,

The SAPS Team