Farmingdale State College (FSC) Associate Librarian Fatoma Rad attributes her passion for mentoring students to her mother, who came to America in 1985 working as a jewelry maker. Determined to give her children a chance for opportunities she never had, she made higher education a top priority.
Born in New Jersey and raised in Queens, New York, Rad and her siblings were encouraged by their mother at a young age to pursue and invest in their education. "My mother was a refugee from Afghanistan and never had the opportunity to get a degree for herself, so it was always a desire of hers that my siblings and I graduate from college," said Rad. As a first-generation college student, Rad navigated through unsupportive guidance counselors, complicated paperwork and applications, and financial obstacles. But she was determined.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in comparative humanities from the State University of New York at Old Westbury, she went on to pursue a master's in library and information science from the Pratt Institute and a master's in higher education administration from Stony Brook University. Rad worked as a medical librarian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and for non-profits such as the Afghan American Conference (AAC) and the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST).
“You do not lose anything by helping others, but rather it is a blessing to be the one to be able to help someone.” Fatoma Rad, associate librarian
This meaningful work brought out Rad's passion for helping students. Recognizing the importance of fostering an inclusive academic environment, Rad spearheaded efforts to develop a comprehensive collection of print and electronic resources in Spanish. This initiative enhanced access to culturally and linguistically relevant materials, supporting the diverse needs of FSC's Hispanic and Spanish-speaking communities.
"In recent years, the term 'student-centered' has become little more than an empty buzzword in higher ed—but not for Professor Rad," said Danielle Apfelbaum, scholarly communication librarian. "Every project she takes on has at its core, the goal of supporting student success at Farmingdale State College and beyond and every single day I feel extraordinarily privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside such a passionate educator."
Rad's passion for helping others shines through in her efforts to mentor FSC students. "The idea of helping others was present throughout my entire upbringing by both parents, and there was an emphasis on the idea that you do not lose anything by helping others, but rather it is a blessing to be the one to be able to help someone," explains Rad.
As the primary supervisor for Greenley Library's student employees, Rad encourages them to treat their library job as an opportunity to gain employment skills that they can take with them when they leave.
"Fatoma has built a culture of student employment in the library that makes it a place that students want to work," said Karen Gelles, library director at FSC. "She empowers students to take on projects or tasks that might be new to them and involves them in her work building library collections."
She has led initiatives to provide students with professional attire, including ties, portfolios, and pocketbooks, to support their preparation for job interviews. Additionally, in collaboration with students, she recently organized an event that facilitated access to professional headshots for LinkedIn profiles, enhancing students' professional branding and career readiness.
"Professor Rad invests in us, challenges us, and believes in our potential all while expecting nothing in return but our growth. Her impact is immeasurable, and her kindness is a lesson in itself," said Kenia Sanchez, FSC senior and student assistant for the library.
What's next for Rad? She is planning to focus on research to explore the impacts of on-campus student employment, with a focus on retention and community building. Having observed the positive effects of on-campus work for students, she is eager to examine the mutual benefits for both the campus and its students.
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