POLICY SCHOLAR NEWS

ISF scholars regularly publish books and articles, appear in the news, and receive awards for their work as advocates, policymakers, and elected officials.
We're proud to share their accomplishments!

ISF Scholar now assistant press secretary for Biden administration

In 2022, Abdullah Hasan, a 2014 and 2015 ISF Scholarship Recipient, has been selected to serve as a White House Assistant Press Secretary for the Biden Administration.

ISF Alum Elected to Office

2016 ISF Scholar Antonio López won his campaign to the East Palo Alto, California City Council in fall 2020. He recently created an ad hoc committee within the council to address racial and ethnic inequality in the area. The committee will be composed of local leaders, most of whom are people of color.

Youngest Muslim Elected to Office Receives Award

In February 2021, 2018 ISF alumna Bushra Amiwala received the highly coveted Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) award for exemplary community service and youth excellence. The AACC recognizes several awardees for their work advancing their objectives for youth. A member of the Skokie, Illinois Board of Education, Bushra is the youngest elected Muslim to office.

ISF Alum Publishes Analysis on Housing Market Discrimination

New analysis by 2012 scholar Raheem Hanifa, research analyst at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, shows that high-income Black homeowners receive higher mortgage interest rates than low-income white homeowners. Discrimination in mortgage markets has been a major factor impeding Black households' access to homeownership and wealth-building.

ISF Alumna Highlighted for Work to Increase Inclusivity

2016 ISF Scholar Abrar Omeish was recently highlighted for her work to make Virginia's schools more equitable and inclusive. The 26-year-old is the first Libyan-American elected official in the U.S., one of the first Muslim women elected in Virginia, and the youngest ever in her role.