Maria Abdelmalek
Junior
Major: Psychology and Political Science
Minor: Business Law
Carmel, Indiana

The Compass Center Scholars program empowers students of both religious and secular backgrounds to facilitate meaning, purpose, and social justice exploration during their time at Butler. Compass Center Scholars  participate in campus interfaith programming through leadership opportunities, interfaith engagement, and service activities. 

Why did you apply for the Compass Center Scholarship?
I was raised in Egypt and grew up very religious as an active member in my Coptic Orthodox community. Going into college, I wanted to be exposed to and learn more about other people’s religions, traditions, and things that impacted their identity, like how my religion impacted mine. Like most incoming first years, I was scared about not finding my own niche, and in my search for scholarship opportunities I was blessed to learn about The Compass Center and the work they do on campus. I immediately applied because I knew that exploring religion from a different perspective than the one I grew up with as well as expanding my horizons was something I wanted to take seriously during my college career. 

What part the Compass Center Scholars program has been most impactful for you?
So far, the most impactful part of being a Compass Center Scholar has been joining interfaith council during my first year. Interfaith council allowed me to engage with beliefs and thoughts that challenged my own. It gave me an opportunity to learn about other religions, spiritual, and secular beliefs, which in turn made me delve deeper into my own religion. The mere exposure to other traditions made me fascinated with the differences and similarities between my own line of thinking and varying ideologies. For the first time in my life, I was learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This interfaith community also put me in situations to meet people I wouldn’t have necessarily crossed paths with otherwise, allowing me to make new friends! 

What kinds of events, volunteer work, leadership roles, or other activities have you been involved in as a Compass Center Scholar?
The Compass Center puts on numerous events during the year, and my favorite one is the end of the year senior presentation, which is where the seniors demonstrate what they have learned during their time as a Compass Center Scholar in an interactive way for anyone on campus to go to. Other than that, I have really enjoyed the yearly volunteering that we plan with Dr. Hege. My first year, we went to a food pantry and helped coordinate the whole day. There were scholars working on the entire pantry, from checking people in to helping walk throughs and doing restocks. I have thoroughly enjoyed the hands on portion of The Compass Center because it has brought me closer to other scholars!

What advice would you give to someone thinking about exploring multifaith community, interfaith engagement, meaning and purpose, or spiritual well-being practices during their time at Butler?
My number one piece of advice for someone looking to exploring a multifaith community and interfaith engagement is to keep an open mind. You will hear things that will challenge what you believe and you will be asked questions that you don’t know the answer to, and it is so important to be okay with those challenges. Situations like that are what help you grow in your own identity as well as promote a more versatile and welcoming environment.