FIU Vice President for Engagement Saif Y. Ishoof has been selected to be a member of the Presidential Leadership Scholars class of 2016, a unique leadership development initiative that draws upon the resources of the U.S. presidential centers of Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton and George W. Bush.
These presidential centers have partnered to bring together a select group of leaders who have the desire and capacity to take their leadership strengths to a higher level in order to help their communities and our country.
Sixty-two scholars from a variety of sectors – private, public, non-profit, military, and academia – were invited to participate in this year’s cohort, which will begin a six-month, executive education series at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, later this month.
“We are delighted to have this tremendous honor bestowed upon our Vice President for Engagement, Saif Ishoof,’’ said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “I have no doubt Saif will put this experience to great use in furthering FIU’s mission to serve as a solutions center for our community, locally and globally.”
Ishoof leads FIU’s Office of Engagement in incubating transformational partnerships. As Vice President for Engagement, he builds win-win-win partnerships that create sustainable change for the university and its students; public and private sector partners; and the global community.
Ishoof is also a Green Fellow at the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. Previously, Saif served as founding Executive Director at City Year Miami, which provides 17-24 year olds an opportunity to serve one year in high-need schools as tutors, mentors and role models to address the opportunity gap. Under his leadership, the organization more than doubled in size and scope with an expansion from 8 to 18 schools.
“The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is an incredible program and stellar opportunity to connect with outstanding leaders and innovators throughout the country,’’ Ishoof said. “I am looking forward to developing new relationships and bringing exciting transformational opportunities back to FIU and our community as a whole.”
Over the course of the program, scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key administration officials and leading academics to put into practice varying approaches to leadership, develop a network of peers and exchange ideas to help them make an impact in their communities.
Scholars will visit the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in March, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in April, the George W. Bush Presidential Center in May, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in June. The class will graduate at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas in July.
