Rachel Bondra

Asma Barlas challenged and encouraged my development as a scholar and beyond by imploring me to interrogate not only what I know, but how I came to know it. Her unique pedagogy impacted the ways in which I conceive of the production of knowledge both in an academic setting and outside of it. Asma’s tutelage had a tremendous impact on my own critical engagement with the world and I find myself drawing upon the lessons she taught a decade ago even, and especially, today.  She is passionate and patient beyond what any student could expect of a mentor and I am incredibly lucky to know her in this right. Asma has provided continued support and encouragement in my pursuit of academic projects and education for which I am eternally grateful.


—Rachel Bondra

Then… Istanbul 2010
Now… First day of grad school!