“I see NEIU as a potential model university of the future.” University presidential candidate Dr. Nabil A. Ibrahim spoke these words at a public meeting held to give NEIU a chance to engage him.
In his opening statements, Ibrahim spoke about the challenges and opportunities that a metropolitan university presents. “In modern America, the metropolitan regions have impacted the metropolitan university. Universities should bridge many boundaries, including economic, social, cultural and political.”
Ibrahim is currently the vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Purdue University, Calumet. He holds degrees in engineering from the University of Cairo in Egypt and McMastor University in Canada.
Ibrahim named partner research, internships with government and corporate offices, and democratizing education by making it accessible to people with many different needs as some possible opportunities for urban universities.
Besides opportunities, Ibrahim addressed challenges as well. Some of them were the decline in state funding, low graduation rates, and maintaining access to those who need it while still maintaining a success rate.
About 150 people attended the address in Alumni Hall on Sept. 26 during activity hour. The floor was opened for audience members to ask questions. A myriad of inquiries were addressed many different topics, ranging from immigration and undocumented students to financial aid and diversifying the university.
In his answer to many of the questions asked, Ibrahim referred to prior experience in his career. He also spoke of his bringing in $9.5 million from outside sources for Purdue.
Tim Scherman of the English department addressed the issue of privatization of universities and lack of funding. Dr. Ibrahim responded with his observations on the lack of state funding and the rising cost of education. He also referenced a financial model he used at Purdue Calumet which involved relying on federal funding for 70 percent of the university’s funds, bringing in the remaining 30 percent from external sources.
Victor Ortiz, coordinator and academic advisor of the Latin America studies department, asked about capitalizing on NEIU being a Hispanic-serving institution. Ibrahim responded with an explanation of a small business incubator project that helps minorities build small businesses. He also spoke of attracting resources, finding out the needs of the community and embracing diversity.
When asked about immigration issues and undocumented students. Ibrahim replied that he “had no experience with undocumented students but would be happy for the opportunity to learn more.”
In keeping with the subject of undocumented students, William Speller of the counseling office brought up a program that disregarded documentation and still offered financial aid in which “all that’s needed is to prove that you graduated high school in the state of Illinois.”
Supporting current faculty and attracting new members was another issue that Ibrahim had a plan for at NEIU. “The workforce at NEIU needs several things: opportunities for faculty release time, summer employment with a possible stipend, and innovation in curriculum design.”
According to Student Trustee Peter Michalcyzk, who met with Ibrahim prior to his address to the university, “Dr. Ibrahim is the real deal. In my opinion, he has a clear and set vision of the future for NEIU.” Michalcyzk added that he was impressed by Ibrahim’s “research, and his accomplishments and his ability for fundraising, especially when we are facing budgetary cuts.”