UTA Libraries Student Employee Spotlight: Mustafa Kadri

Mustafa Kadri is carving out a role in the UTA Libraries shop room as he helps students with woodworking projects. His passion for the craft shows through the directions and guidance he gives to people. 

The love Mustafa has for woodworking comes from his father, Ilyas, who carved things at home as a way to destress from the day. Over time, this interest grew into a hobby and led Mustafa to take part in The Shop Room workshop. 

“At the first workshop series, I made the cutting board. It progressed from there and got me curious about other workshops that were offered,” Mustafa said. “I had never seen automated tools like the automated jointer machine or the planer. I did woodworking in the past, but mainly with manual tools like with handsaws and chisels.” 

Mustafa shared that as an industrial engineering master’s student, some of the lessons from the classroom translated over his work in The Shop Room. 

“The workflow inside The Shop Room is very systematic. As an industrial engineering student that appeals to me a lot,” he said. “You are coming up with creative solutions because no two solutions are the same for each project. The end result changes depending on the type of wood the student is using.” 

Since joining the Shop Room staff in January, Mustafa has seen some creative projects come through the doors. One that comes to mind involves a typewriter. 

“A student came into the Shop Room with a 150-year-old typewriter, and he wanted help with restoring the case that it came in,” Mustafa said. “The staff got together and helped him figure it out. Those kinds of unique creative solutions (tests) one’s creative thinking.” 

With each person that comes into The Shop Room, Mustafa takes them through each step of the project in a calm and precise manner. 

This approach connects him with students and encourages learning. Mustafa credits his teaching skills with the training he received studying martial arts. 

“I would say that I am a very introverted type of person, but I know how to converse with people. That skill came from studying martial arts because I was very shy and coy,” he said. “It started when I was 6 years old when my mom had put me in a karate class. I upgraded from a white to a yellow belt, but then I had to leave. I picked up martial arts again at age 19. I joined mixed martial arts and practiced it for six years.” 

Mustafa stated he uses the lessons and disciplines from MMA not only when he teaches students but also around the shop as he carries wood or sweeps the floor. Those practices help him stay energized, staying both mentally and physically sharp. 

Mustafa shared that the success of The Shop Room is not just because of his efforts, but it is the whole team that works together daily. 

It is great to see student employees like Mustafa who chisel out a way to use their passion as they work with students 

Thank you for your hard work and dedication in sculpting others to become lifelong learners.