Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies, 2022 - Present

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

School of Journalism and Communication

Master of Arts in Communication Studies, 2017 - 2019

Kent State University, Kent, OH

Emphasis: Global Communication

Advisor: Dr. Tewodros Workneh

Independent Research Project: “The biggest loser of them all:” The interplay of intersectionality and hybridity in season 4 of SKAM

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, 2012 - 2016

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco

Concentration: Media Studies

Minor: Human Resource Development

Capstone: Framing analysis of the news coverage of the Syrian refugee crisis by the BBC, Euronews, and Al Jazeera English

Committee: Dr. Bouziane Zaid (supervisor), Pr. Timothy Pearson

• 2024 Division of Graduate Studies Professional Development Award, University of Oregon ($1,500)

• 2024 Travel Award, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon ($1,200)

• 2023 Anderson Family Fellowship, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon ($10,000)

• 2022-2026 Columbia Scholarship, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon ($1000/year)
• 2022 Promising Scholar Award, Division of Graduate Studies, University of Oregon ($6000)
• 2019 Presentation Award Winner, Graduate Research Symposium, Kent State University ($200)
• 2018 Domestic Travel Award, Graduate Student Senate, Kent State University ($415)
• 2018 Dr. Dominic A. Infante Communication Scholarship, Kent State University ($2,000)
• 2018 The D. Ray and Susanne E. Heisey Endowed International Scholarship Fund, Kent State University ($2,000)

Creator Studies; Political Economy of Communication; Food Media; African Media

Nahla (she/her) is a Moroccan-American scholar, communication practitioner, and multimedia storyteller pursuing a Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Oregon. She holds an MA in Global Communication from Kent State University and a BA in Communication Studies, with a media studies emphasis, from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. Nahla's career within and outside academia is an eclectic venture. Her work has spanned quasi-governmental organizations, public radio (NPR affiliate) and non-profit journalism, and digital media strategy. She also runs her own strategic communication and media project management consulting business through which she guides communication and content teams to function more efficiently and produces engaging and impactful digital content strategies across various platforms and industries. These experiences all influence and shape Nahla's research interests. Through her academic research, Nahla explores the interactions between state actions/actors and media workers, industries, and systems in North and West Africa. More specifically, Nahla's dissertation investigates the intersections between creator studies, digital platforms and cultures, and the development of politically dominant narratives in foodscapes. 

Nahla is one of the JCGSA co-presidents for the 2024-2025 academic year.