Aqela Nussrat

Aqela Nussrat is the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at the Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA). She is driven by the belief that education should be within reach for everyone, and that learning has the power to transform both individuals and the communities they serve. Before joining ESIA, Aqela served as Program Director at Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF), where she led alumni relations, fundraising and donor communications, and student programming. She began her studies in Business Administration at the American University of Afghanistan and went on to earn a B.A. in Economics from Bard College, where her senior thesis explored the structural and gender barriers facing women in aviation. She is currently pursuing an M.S. in International Business at the GW School of Business. Outside of work, she loves the quiet of a long hike and time on the volleyball court.