The Desert Voice

Nouf Bakhsh - Editor-in-Chief

Nouf Bakhsh is a graduating senior journalism student. Reading and writing are her first loves; music is her second. Her goal in life is to one day write a bestselling novel. Her hobbies include painting, aerobics and swimming.  

You can follow Nouf on Twitter: @nouf_b

Erina Baftiroska - Managing Editor

Sherouk Zakaria - Senior Editor

Sherouk Zakaria is a journalism senior minoring in theater. She is a nature-lover and always loves to be outdoors. Her favorite place to be is on the beach or a place full of natural views. She enjoys all forms of art and music. Acting on stage is her passion. She loves making new friends and the happiest moments for her is when she is there for people. Her dreams for the future is being a famous news presenter or radio host and traveling the world, especially Italy to see the amazing churches and unique art.
The best way people can bribe her is with food!

Maisoon Mubarak - Senior Editor

Maisoon Mubarak is a senior journalism student. She started off as a campus reporter for The Desert Voice last semester. Maisoon has always been passionate about writing and singing. She hopes one day to become a music journalist.

You can follow Maisoon on Twitter: @MaisoonMubarak

Mustafa Sadaqat- Photography Editor

Mustafa Sadaqat is an international studies student who believes in seizing an ideal world in frames by using his skills and the beauty of nature to his advantage. His interests include photography, cooking, driving, travel and playing the guitar.

You can follow Mustafa on Twitter: @MustafaSadaqt

Paul Crompton - Website Manager

Paul Crompton is British but has lived most of his life abroad, spending the last six years in Sharjah. He is currently studying Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations at AUS and will be graduating in June 2013. Paul enjoys the finer things in life such as tailored clothing, gourmet food and classic comedy.

You can follow Paul on Twitter: @cromptonenator

Bushra Alfaraj - Cartoonist

Bushra Alfaraj is a senior journalism student whose first love was and always will be drawing. She started in The Desert Voice when it first launched as the comic artist, and eventually began writing regularly for the publication. Bushra thinks of herself as an amateur manga artist but hopes to one day combine the powers of art and writing together to create some sort of magnum opus.

You can follow Bushra on Twitter: @arshub_j

Sarah Abass - Graphics Designer

Sarah Abass is currently an advertising senior. She started out as a campus news writer for The Desert Voice and is now the graphic designer for the online newspaper. 

During her spare time Sarah enjoys photography, painting, baking, and socializing with her friends. She hopes the skills she has developed assist her in excelling in the future. 

You can follow Sarah on Twitter: @Sositta

Herman Coutinho works as a ‘Studio Specialist’ with the Dept. of Mass Communication. He joined AUS in the year 2001 and has enjoyed every bit of it since then.

He enjoys working on video and web related areas, especially the designing aspect of it. At present he is doing his Masters in Education. His areas of interest are psychology, education, technology, research and space.

Nadia Eldemerdash - Editor-in-Chief

Nadia Eldemerdash is a senior journalism student minoring in international studies. She founded The Desert Voice with a group of friends in her sophomore year. Since then, it's been one of her first priorities. 

Nadia has always loved reading and writing. She hopes that her career and future studies will develop these passions further. 

You can follow Nadia on Twitter: @DemerN

Madhavi Ravi - Managing Editor

Madhavi Ravi is a Public Relations senior minoring in Psychology. Maddy (as she likes to be called) has three non-human babies - her cat Calix, her BlackBerry and The Desert Voice, of which she is a co-founder.

She enjoys interacting with people, and is interested in social media as a communication tool. Maddy plans to study both Organizational Psychology and Human Resources at graduate school, and hopes to contribute avidly to educational and animal rescue charities.

You can follow Maddy on Twitter: @missmaddenstein

Rohma Sadaqat - Senior Editor

Rohma Sadaqat is a Journalism senior double minoring in History and International Studies. Rohma has been working with The Desert Voice since its inception and is a self-proclaimed history and art buff. She is particularly interested in the impact of art on world history. Her hobbies include reading, dancing and gardening. She enjoys classical music and hopes to write for the National Geographic one day. You can follow Rohma on Twitter: @RohmaSadaqat 

Mary Sophia - Senior Editor

Mary Sophia is a senior journalism student and is minoring in International Studies and Psychology. Mary started off as an international news writer for The Desert Voice and harbors strong interest in current affairs. She simply loves to write and aspires to go to Columbia graduate school. Mary has pretty strong opinions about the world and is a voracious reader. You can follow Mary on Twitter: @Mary_sophia21

Noorhan Barakat - Photography Editor

Noorhan Barakat is a Journalism senior minoring in Photography. She doesn’t like talking about herself in the third, nor the first person. Noorhan enjoys art in all its forms, sports, reading, as well as new technology and gadgets. She is also a big foodie and loves experimenting. Her favorite photographic matter is ceilings, as people tend to ignore them. Noorhan hopes to be a famous photojournalist one day.

You can follow Noorhan on Twitter: @TheNoorBarakat

Mahrukh Hakim - Website Manager

Mahrukh Hakim is currently a senior  majoring in Advertising with a minor in Psychology. She enjoys taking on challenges in which she can learn new softwares or techniques to exhibit creativity (the driving force for her devotion to The Desert Voice).

Her interests lie in driving, baking and photography. She likes making new friends and being of help to anyone. 

P.S. The best way to bribe her is through chocolate.You can follow Mahrukh on Twitter: @Mahrukhivity

Tina Richardson - Faculty Advisor

Tina Richardson is a faculty member in the Department of Mass Communication and a cupcake creator of exceptional regard. Her job description refers to teaching and research but her true passion is students and empowering them to achieve their potential.  She is very proud of The Desert Voice, particularly the students whose vision, dedication and hard work have brought it to life and the fact that she has had the opportunity to play a role in its development.  You can follow Tina on Twitter: @tinalrichardson

Herman Coutinho-Webmaster

Herman Coutinho works as a ‘Studio Specialist’ with the Dept. of Mass Communication. He joined AUS in the year 2001 and has enjoyed every bit of it since then.

He enjoys working on video and web related areas, especially the designing aspect of it. At present he is doing his Masters in Education. His areas of interest are psychology, education, technology, research and space.