Dr. Yaghoobi is a distinguished academic leader and professor with over 15 years of experience in global higher education. Currently serving as the Director of Persian Studies and the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Yaghoobi is renowned for promoting scholarly opportunities, and artistic exchanges, and fostering a vibrant intellectual community. As an Armenian and Christian immigrant, she brings a unique perspective to her work.

Dr. Yaghoobi embraces a philosophy of shared leadership and emergent strategy, emphasizing collaboration, distributed decision-making, and adaptability. She believes in meeting with all stakeholders to understand their needs and gaps, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Dr. Yaghoobi is dedicated to creating accessible and equitable education and workplace environments. She seeks to leverage her extensive experience in faculty affairs and curriculum development to drive meaningful change and foster a more inclusive academic landscape.

Key Achievements:

Thought Leader: She has organized high-impact events, such as the Cornel West lecture on academic freedom and free speech, and managed complex conflicts involving diverse student communities.

Curriculum Innovator: Dr. Yaghoobi has significantly contributed to the curriculum development of the Persian Studies minor, major, and made UNC’s Persian Studies program one of the strongest in the nation.

Effective Administrator: With a proven track record in managing multimillion-dollar grants, Dr. Yaghoobi has identified and secured national and international funding resources, demonstrating exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills.

Areas of Expertise:

• Curriculum Development and Assessment
• Grant Writing and Fundraising
• Faculty Governance and Executive Committee Work
• International and Middle Eastern Studies
• Community Building