The 2023 CASSE Scholarship Recipient
Ibrahim Tahir
Ibrahim is expected to graduate with a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Environmental Policy & Administration at the Maxwell School in late June, a few days before his 25th birthday. He recently received a Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise from the Whitman School of Management. He has an elite GPA and has shown excellence across his academic programs. Ibrahim has demonstrated a true commitment to sustainability. In addition to the two other degrees mentioned, he recently received a Sustainable Business Certificate from Cornell University. He also recently completed fieldwork for Rhode Island’s electric vehicle transition infrastructure roadmap in which he was offered a position to join the State’s Department of Transpiration and lead a team on issues related to the electric vehicle transition and infrastructure. He has been involved in the Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse University, was a Graduate Fellow at Our Climate, and worked with National Grid as part of an offshore wind project. Furthermore, he has been engaged with university-level work in the Graduate Student Organization and as a Senator.
Ibrahim Tahir Writes
My name is Ibrahim Tahir and I am the recipient of the Herskovits Foundation Award as part of my academic performance within the CASSE program at the Whitman School of Management. I would like to thank you again for making this all possible. As someone who’s a first in his family masters recipient and the son of a chauffeur and house keeper this award will help immensely in helping me pay off tuition dues as I complete my academic journey here at Syracuse University.
Madatech
David M. Herskovits Fund for STEM Education Through Technion
Madatech from Technion has developed a STEM program for fourth through eighth graders from a diversity of communities. With a mixture of STEM, art/design, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork the hope is to generate cooperation and innovation. David supported Technion and worked hard to promote collaboration with others.
Studying the basics of STEM as a group exposes young students to each others’ lives, communities, and cultures. The mission of this program is twofold: First, it is intended to support the middle-school STEM curriculum while helping sixth- and seventh-graders develop a range of new skills required to excel in middle-school STEM studies. At the same time, the program strives to unify the demographic diversity of Northern Israel’s population — where predominately Arabs, Druze, and Jews live side by side.
This program was launched in light of the fact that the transition from elementary school to middle school is challenging for most children, as they enter an institution that offers less personal attention and is considerably more achievement-oriented. This is all the more true in post-pandemic Israel. During the pandemic, STEM studies were put on hold during three periods of sequestering, and students fell considerably behind. This three-year program — facilitated by Technion faculty members who work directly with MadaTech — was launched in 2022 and includes 24 academic hours of STEM studies for 450 students (grades six and seven) from Israel’s Northern Region.
Solar Rollers
Solar Rollers
Teams of students work to design, build, and race high-performance solar-powered radio-controlled cars. David connected with Solar Roller’s founder to bring the organization to students and educators alongside David’s renewable energy projects.
November 1st Workshop
Solar Rollers Teachers WORKSHOP presented by FAU Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teachers Academy, The DMH Foundation & Solar Rollers happened on November 1st.
FAU Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teachers Academy
FAU Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teachers Academy
Providing direct support for STEM programs and making them accessible for educators and students who might not have exposure in normal channels. Through organizations such as these and his professional work, David was a walking, talking, advocate for alternative energy, climate change awareness, and education.
All Stars Program
Development School For Youth - All Stars Project
In conjunction with the Development School for Youth, this performance-based approach helps inner-city youth and their families create success through developmental coaching. Through his work at Brookfield Renewable Partners, David found great meaning in helping young people through direct coaching.
Inner-city teenagers learn how to work in partnership with corporate leaders
Dina Wizmur, DMH Board Member
Speaking to the 2024 DSY Students & Mentors at the Orientation about David’s passion for this program. David personally mentored students and volunteered his time
Discovery Place Science
Solar Eclipse Day
In the days preceding the solar eclipse, families engaged in constructing solar cars, tackling celestial-themed design challenges, and participating in various imaginative workshops across the Museum. On April 8, more than 11,000 individuals gathered to witness the solar eclipse spectacle. The IMAX theater broadcasted a live stream of the path of totality spanning from Mexico to across America, while the museum's rooftop offered interactive activities and safe viewing stations.