Youssef Mosallam Named 2012 SOE Alumnus of the Year

For more than 30 years, UM-Dearborn has honored outstanding alumni for their contributions to the University and community. These men and women are "difference makers" who have continued the University's legacy of leadership in their lives and careers. They are making a positive impact in their workplaces and communities, and serve as strong role models for a new generation of UM-Dearborn student leaders. Among the Alumni Difference Makers for 2012 is Youssef Mosallam, who was named School of Education Alumnus of the Year.

Youssef obtained his master’s degree in educational administration and his school principal certification at UM-Dearborn in 2005, and his work in a variety of education roles in the metropolitan area has made a positive difference in the lives of children and families in the region. Moreover, he has made a number of contributions specifically to the SOE through his ongoing engagement with our faculty and students.

Mr. Mosallam has a long and distinguished career with Dearborn Public Schools, having served in a variety of roles, including instructional technician working with at risk children. English teacher, history teacher, assistant football coach, Coordinator of Acceleration and Intervention, elementary school principal, and since 2010 as principal of Fordson High School, the district’s largest school.

Youssef has also given back to UM-Dearborn in many ways. He is a highly valued lecturer in our Master’s program, regularly teaching one or two courses each year. And as principal at Fordson High School he has also hired several UM-Dearborn graduates as teachers in his school. We deeply appreciate that as well and think that he has chosen wisely!

He initiated a collaboration between Dearborn Public Schools and UM-Dearborn’s SOE to assist teachers of core academic subjects in secondary school to work effectively with students whose native language is not English. That collaboration resulted in a major teacher professional development project that has been supported with a $1.2 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Alumni Association Award will be presented to Mr. Mosallam, and the corresponding award winners from other units on the UM-Dearborn campus, at a ceremony on October 12. The MC for the campus-wide ceremony will be Tracy Thompson, the School of Education Alumna of the Year for 2011. Please join me in congratulating Youssef Mosallam on his distinctive accomplishment and in thanking him for his dedication to the education profession.