Professor Nan Fandel teaches communications in Iowa. She is also a journalist who has been an op-ed columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper. Also a poet and a Jellaludin Rumi scholar, Professor Fandel lectures throughout the world on the words, teachings, and life of this 13th-century Sufi mystic poet, who today is among the most popular poets. She has co-authored a book in honor of Rumi titled Mystery Box, which will be available in mid-2008.

Professor Fandel's goal as a teacher and journalist is to tell the truth about what is happening in our world. Oftentimes, as she writes or communicates with young students who are just learning about the world, she breaks their hearts with these truths. But in the end, most understand that if they don't act to right the wrongs, to live a life of benefit to all, they will become spiritually impoverished in a world of hatred. "Not on my watch," she says!