The University of Mississippi announced on May 9 that Jana Abdrabbo, a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, will graduate with a degree from the Croft Institute for International Studies and minors in public policy leadership and Arabic. Abdrabbo has conducted research in both the Mississippi Delta and Jordan, developed campus programs, and supported her community through various initiatives.
Abdrabbo’s story is part of the university’s 2026 Journey to Commencement series, which recognizes students for their academic accomplishments and personal growth as they transition from college to graduation. Her work spans cross-cultural experiences rooted in her Syrian heritage and commitment to education.
During her undergraduate years, Abdrabbo traveled internationally to countries including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Czechia, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Jordan. She said: “Don’t get caught up in the bubble we live in. Don’t think because you are educated that you know everything. We can live our entire lives and barely scratch the surface of all the knowledge in the world. Be open-minded and willing to learn.”
Abdrabbo co-founded the Syrian Emergency Task Force at Ole Miss where she led letter-writing campaigns for orphans affected by war and raised funds for Syrian refugees. She also took on leadership roles as head student coordinator of the Oxford School District Bilingual Tutoring Program after initially volunteering with Arabic-speaking English language learners at a local elementary school.
Her efforts were recognized when she received the Barksdale Award for her project “From Magnolia Trees to Olive Groves: Hope and Liberation Through Education,” which also became her thesis title under Graham Pitts’ direction. In his recommendation letter for the award Pitts wrote that Abdrabbo is “a tenacious but careful student” with “the Arabic language and background necessary to connect with relevant stakeholders in Jordan and the Delta.”
Looking ahead, Abdrabbo plans to attend law school at Ole Miss this fall while remaining dedicated to serving communities both locally in Mississippi and abroad.
