Faculty Profiles: Hiba Khodr

Professor Hiba Khodr

Although Hiba Khodr only started working at AUB as a part-time faculty member in September 2006, her involvement with the University dates back to 1988, when she was a premed student and obtained her BS in mathematics here. She is now an assistant professor in the Political Studies and Public Administration Department, a position she took up in September 2007.

Because of the war in the 1980s, Khodr left Lebanon to pursue her education in the United States. There she earned another BS in diagnostic medical sonography (1992), followed by an MS in instructional technology ( 1993) from the Rochester Institute of Technology of New York. She then worked as a diagnostic medical sonographer in different hospitals in the United States, before completing her PhD in public administration from Florida State University (2000-05).

Khodr particularly enjoys teaching at AUB, which she calls her "dream place." The diversity of students with mixed academic backgrounds and rich cultural environments appeals to her nature. Khodr commends AUB as a community-based institute that plans strategically, not only for Lebanon but also for the entire region, and works on improving its leadership, even after more than 140 years in operation.

The research Khodr plans to conduct at AUB involves health care policy in Lebanon from a historical perspective, especially in terms of the challenges faced regarding cost, access, and quality. She expects that collecting the data will be the main challenge, seeing as "the government officials and health care professionals, though extremely supportive, unfortunately lack sufficient data for good research. Also, because of the unavailability of specific references, other sources will have to be used."

A mother of three, Khodr still finds time for traveling, collecting antiques, and going to the theater. A Lebanese national before becoming an American citizen, Khodr does not at all regret returning to Lebanon.