Established in 2014, the Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program proudly upholds its mission of supporting exceptional students within our community. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that two awards of $1,500 each will be granted to Mr. Keon Faroughi and Ms. Neeki Sharifi.
Mr. Faroughi will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park, while Ms. Sharifi will begin her studies at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.
These scholarships are based on evaluations conducted by an independent panel of experts, recognizing each recipient’s outstanding academic performance, meaningful community engagement, and valuable contributions to ICEC’s educational and cultural initiatives.
In his acceptance note to the Scholarship Committee Keon wrote in part: “… I’ve been fortunate to be part of the Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC), both as a student and as a teacher’s assistant. This experience allowed me to give back to the next generation of Iranian students, just as others once did for me…. This opportunity deepened my connection to Iranian culture and gave me the joy of sharing the beauty of Iranian music with fellow young Iranians in our community. I will always be grateful to ICEC for providing a space where I could cultivate pride in my heritage and learn the enduring value of unity and community….”
In her acceptance note to the Scholarship Committee Neeki wrote in part: “ICEC has been instrumental in deepening my personal connection to Persian culture and fostering a genuine appreciation for the language. Through its programs, I’ve not only learned to take pride in my heritage but also developed valuable leadership skills that continue to shape who I am. The sense of community ICEC cultivates has allowed me to build lifelong friendships—bonds I wouldn’t have formed without its supportive environment. I hope others have the opportunity to explore the many facets of this organization, from its vibrant music and theater programs to the enriching activities offered beyond the classroom…”
Congratulations, Keon and Neeki ! Have a successful academic year!
