{"id":60254,"date":"2025-12-15T09:43:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T14:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=60254"},"modified":"2025-12-15T21:08:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T02:08:29","slug":"one-year-into-his-council-term-alumnus-continues-to-provide-a-voice-for-the-voiceless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2025\/one-year-into-his-council-term-alumnus-continues-to-provide-a-voice-for-the-voiceless\/","title":{"rendered":"One year into his council term, alumnus continues to provide a voice for the voiceless"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alsaadun MA \u201917, Harrisonburg\u2019s first refugee councilmember, advocates for local immigrant community<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter where you come from or which language you speak, there is a place for you in Harrisonburg and at EMU, and Nasser Alsaadun MA \u201917 (education) <\/strong>is living proof of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Iraqi-born educator, who came to the United States in 2008, became the first refugee councilmember in the city\u2019s history when he was elected last fall and began his four-year term<\/a> in January. He says his presence on council sends a clear message that Harrisonburg is diverse and accepting and that local immigrants can feel welcome as a part of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople can all live in peace and learn from one another\u2014your culture, my culture. We\u2019re all in the same pot,\u201d Alsaadun said. \u201cI think that\u2019s actually a unique thing about this area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through his advocacy work, Alsaadun ensures that the Friendly City lives up to its name as a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. He volunteers with CWS Harrisonburg<\/a>, a local office of Church World Service that serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n