Samina Najmi

Dr. Samina Najmi is a Professor in the Department of English at California State University, Fresno. She teaches courses in contemporary multiethnic U.S. literatures, Asian American literature, American Indian literature, and graduate seminars on topics like "Multiethnic Memoirs" and "War Stories." She co-founded the Undergraduate Conference on Multiethnic Literatures of the Americas (UCMLA) in 2009 and established several literary awards to honor Fresno women writers.

Her research focuses on race, gender, war narratives, and creative nonfiction within multiethnic American literature. She serves on the President's APIDA and Muslim Advisory Councils, advocating for inclusive representation and ethical engagement in literature.

Dr. Najmi’s creative nonfiction explores personal and collective trauma, memory, and identity. Her works examine familial relationships, diasporic experiences, and the intersections of ethnicity, gender, and cultural belonging. Articles often intertwine literary analysis with autobiographical reflection, addressing themes of vulnerability, survival, and transformative storytelling.

Scientific and creative awards include:

• 2012 Map Literary Nonfiction Prize for 'Abdul'
• 2024 Aurora Polaris Award for 'Sing Me a Circle: Love, Loss, and a Home in Time'

She holds a PhD and MA in English from Tufts University and a BA (Honors) in English Literature from Karachi University. Dr. Najmi advocates for community-driven literary initiatives and believes in the power of language to extend human influence beyond immediate circumstances.