Master's Programs
Date May 13, 2026
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Master of public affairs student Ninah Dickson Kiraya selected for engaged citizenship and community service award

Through language access, cultural connection and a deep commitment to community, Ninah Dickson K. is being recognized for creating belonging across languages and cultures among refugee families in Providence.

Ninah Dickson Kiraya headshot

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Ninah Dickson K. ’26 MPA, a master of public affairs student, has dedicated her time at Brown to helping refugee families in Providence feel heard, supported and welcomed. Her work has earned her the Master’s Award for Engaged Citizenship and Community Service.

Ninah’s work centers on Brown Refugee Youth Tutoring & Enrichment (BRYTE), where she helps strengthen communication between the program and local refugee families. As a volunteer Swahili interpreter, she supports one of BRYTE’s largest language communities, ensuring families can fully access tutoring services and related programming. Through Swahili, Ninah is able to create moments of familiarity, dignity and trust for families navigating new systems far from home.

Her role enables clear and consistent communication between student tutors, program staff and families who rely on interpretation to engage with resources and opportunities.

Her connection to this work is deeply personal. Raised in Tanzania and shaped by experiences across East and Southern Africa, Ninah understands how language, cultural familiarity and community can shape whether someone feels isolated or welcomed in a new environment. Her experiences living across different countries deepened her commitment to community-centered engagement and people-focused public service. Reflecting on a moment that shaped her sense of belonging, Ninah shared:

“ I call a mother from Congo about tutoring. We start in Swahili, and suddenly we’re laughing, sharing stories. She says ‘you’re one of us,’ and I realize: I’ve found home. That’s when I understood what Brown meant when they said I belong here — so I could turn around and tell her, ‘you belong too.’ ”

Ninah Dickson K. ’26 MPA

Ninah has become a trusted and reliable presence for families, often serving as the primary point of communication. Her thoughtful and professional approach has helped foster a sense of trust and belonging among participants.

“Ninah has been instrumental in helping us connect with Swahili-speaking families in empathetic and meaningful ways,” said Meghan Mozea, BRYTE fellow. “Her interpretation goes beyond language. She helps us understand cultural nuances and build stronger relationships within the community.”

“Ninah brings a high level of thoughtfulness and cultural awareness to every interaction,” said Grace Hu, BRYTE co-president. “She doesn’t simply translate information — she builds connections that strengthen the entire community.”

Beyond interpretation, Ninah plays an active role in helping families navigate the program. She assists with outreach and coordination logistics such as transportation, ensuring families feel prepared and comfortable participating in events. Her approach goes beyond conveying information, focusing instead on building trust and reducing barriers to access.

For Ninah, the work has never been about recognition or compensation. When offered payment for additional interpretation support, she instead asked that the resources be redirected toward BRYTE’s programming and the families it serves.

Her experiences across community engagement, development policy and international affairs continue to shape her interest in building more inclusive institutions and systems.

Faculty and program leaders describe her as compassionate, dependable and deeply committed to community engagement.

Through her work, Ninah exemplifies the values embodied in the Engaged Citizenship and Community Service Award by using her skills to uplift others, foster connection and expand access to opportunity.

 

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Ninah Dickson K. and other master's award winners will be honored at the Master’s Ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2026 during Brown University’s 258th Commencement and Reunion Weekend.

Master’s Award for Engaged Citizenship and Community Service

This award recognizes outstanding engaged citizenship and service to the community within or outside of the University by a master's student in any program.

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