Florida State University (FSU) awarded Dr. Sana Tibi, Associate Professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders (SCSD), a sabbatical for the Spring 2026 term.  

The Office of Faculty Development and Advancement provides faculty with a sabbatical, to support research recognition, professional advancement, and academic growth. Among faculty awarded one-semester sabbaticals was Dr. Sana Tibi, whose research specializes in Arabic literacy. Her sabbatical focused primarily on improving Arabic literacy research and understanding how reading comprehension is developed in Arabic-speaking populations. She spent her time in England, presenting research across different universities, helping to expand her scholarly network.  

“The advantages of a sabbatical in England were twofold”, said Dr. Tibi. “It provided opportunities to engage directly with leading scholars in the field of literacy. Second, it offered multiple venues to present my own research, creating meaningful opportunities for international dissemination.” 

Throughout her career, her research contributions and advancements have been extensive, supported by numerous grants and awards, and expanded through publications, projects, and collaborations. Her work has included developing more effective reading comprehension assessment tools for Arabic-speaking populations. She feels that Arabic research can be overlooked at times, despite being one of the most widely used languages in the world.  

Her sense of purpose has remained central throughout her career and continues to guide her work today. 

“My motivation is deeply intrinsic and layered. At its core is a strong desire to make a meaningful impact, both scholarly and human”, said Dr. Tibi. “I became acutely aware of how underrepresented Arabic literacy was in mainstream reading research, and I felt obligated to help build a rigorous research base.” 

During her time spent in England, she was invited by the Child Development and Learning Center in the College of Education at Oxford University to present a talk on Arabic literacy and orthography. This presentation ultimately led to her contribution of a chapter on Arabic orthography in an edited volume currently in progress. She was also able to present her work at Bangor University and work closely with professors at Lancaster University. These discussions and exchanges expanded her understanding of reading comprehension and sparked new possibilities for adapting an existing multilingual literacy assessment tool. 

“These exchanges were valuable in sharpening distinctions between universal components of reading comprehension and those that are language-specific”, said Dr. Tibi.  

Her research has positioned her at the forefront of advancements in Arabic literacy, as she shapes assessments and developments within the field. However, her objectives when starting her research have since shifted as she moves forward in her work. 

“Early in my career, my primary goal was to establish myself as a rigorous researcher and educator in language and literacy development,” said Dr. Tibi. “To me, the shift has been from establishing a presence in the field to helping advance the field itself through my research, collaborations, and mentorship.” 

The support Dr. Tibi received early in her education also played a formative role in her research and motivates her to continue this important and influential work. 

“During my early childhood, my teachers and parents consistently reinforced the value of education, curiosity, and perseverance. That early encouragement shaped both my confidence and my work ethic,” said Dr. Tibi.  

Dr. Sana Tibi’s sabbatical work has created large advancements in Arabic literacy, yet she is cognizant of the work that still needs to be done.  

“These experiences collectively reinforced that my position in the field was not accidental and that continuing this work mattered”, said Dr. Tibi. “What keeps me pushing forward is the knowledge that there is still much to be done.”