For Dr. Sana Tibi, an associate professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, the opportunity to help advance early education in Jordan brings together two important parts of her life: her connection to the country where she grew up speaking Arabic, and her academic career studying how children learn to read the language. 

Tibi and Stephanie Simmons Zuilkowski, associate director for research at Florida State University’s Learning Systems Institute, recently received a $550,000 award from the International Research & Exchanges (IREX) Board through Jordan’s Early Grade Education Activity, also known as ASAS. This initiative aims to strengthen Jordan’s early grade education  system by supporting improvements in literacy, numeracy, preparation and professional development.  

For Tibi, the significance of the project goes beyond the research outcome. It represents an opportunity to connect her academic work with a country that has shaped her own educational journey. 

“As a graduate of a Jordanian public university and a native Arabic speaker, I have long been committed to advancing educational opportunities for children across the Arab world,” Tibi said. 

FSU continues to expand its global reach, establishing a strong and growing international presence. Working alongside FSU colleagues and Jordanian partner institutions, Tibi is helping support curriculum review and co-development, faculty professional development, and research initiatives. 

 Early literacy and numeracy provide the foundation for later academic success, helping children access content across subjects, develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and participate fully in school and society. For Tibi, strengthening those skills also requires an approach that values the knowledge and experience of the educators and institutions already working within Jordan. 

 “Rather than importing solutions, the ASAS initiative is designed to support Jordanian-led efforts to strengthen teacher preparation and early-grade education,” Tibi said. 

 The project is expected to continue through 2028, but Tibi hopes its impact will extend further.  

 “A key goal is sustainability,” Tibi said. “By 2028, I hope to see stronger university programs that prepare future teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to support early-grade learners effectively.” 

 For Tibi, the project represents an opportunity to connect her personal background and professional expertise while contributing to educational change in a country that has shaped her own journey. Through ASAS, her work demonstrates how FSU research and international collaboration can extend beyond campus to strengthen educators, institutions, and educational opportunities for children in Jordan.