Meet Husna Nashnoush, '26

Studying her own faith in an academic setting helped Husna Nashnoush connect personal identity with a commitment to human rights advocacy.

For Husna Nashnoush, choosing the global studies minor with a specialization in Islamic studies wasn't just an academic decision—it was personal.

“I had never had the opportunity to formally study my own religion before,” said Nashnoush, a graduating senior pursuing a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in sociology. “There was something deeply meaningful about being able to explore it in an academic setting.”

That curiosity about Islamic studies, combined with her passion for human rights advocacy, has shaped her Stanford journey—and her plans for what comes next. After graduation, Nashnoush will attend law school to pursue a career in public-interest law, advocating for the Muslim community and others whose human rights have been violated. 

Read the Q&A below to learn more.

What was your major, minor, or degree program? What drew you to it?
I am pursuing a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in sociology, with minors in human rights and Islamic studies. What drew me to the Islamic studies minor was that I had never had the opportunity to formally study my own religion before. There was something deeply meaningful about being able to explore it in an academic setting. The human rights minor connected me to legal scholars and perspectives on human rights law that I could not have found anywhere else on campus, and that exposure really shaped the direction I want to take my career.

What Stanford experience had the biggest impact on you—and why?
The experience that has had the biggest impact on me has been the access to faculty at Stanford. Building genuine relationships with professors like Professor Davenport and Professor Asad opened doors I did not expect, and that kind of mentorship pushed me to be more outgoing in spaces that once felt intimidating. Stanford taught me that the wisest people are often the most approachable and supportive.

What experiences outside the classroom shaped your Stanford journey?
My internships outside the classroom were what solidified my passion for pursuing law as a way to advocate for Muslims and for anyone whose human rights have been violated. Each experience reinforced that this is the work I want to dedicate my career to.

What's a moment from your time at Stanford that you'll never forget?
I am most proud of being able to study abroad twice while still completing my master's degree and two minors. It was not something I knew was possible when I started, and figuring out how to make it work, with the support of my faculty and mentors, meant a lot to me.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to attend law school, where I hope to continue building toward a career in public-interest law.

What advice would you give future students interested in global studies, language study, or international experiences at Stanford?
It is one of those opportunities that is easy to put off but genuinely worth prioritizing. You will meet people and encounter perspectives that you simply cannot find anywhere else on campus.

How has your Stanford experience changed the way you see the world?
Stanford taught me how much a single person or a single conversation can shift the direction of your life. I came in thinking about the world one way and left with an entirely different understanding, largely because of the people I met along the way.