Governor Whitmer appoints HFC professor to Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently appointed Abdulhakem Alsadah, who teaches government and political science at HFC, to the Michigan Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs.
“I was honored to be appointed to this position serving our governor, our state, and our communities. I would like to express my gratitude to the Honorable Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her staff – particularly Ghida Dagher – for honoring me with their trust. I was appointed to this Commission for two terms when it was first established during the Honorable Governor Jennifer Granholm’s administration,” explained Alsadah, who lives in Washtenaw County with his wife. Together, they have three children.
The Commission is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and acts in an advisory capacity to the governor. The 15-member council will advise LEO on issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and will promote awareness of their culture and history. Among its members are Adel Mozip, a member of the HFC Board of Trustees.
“The Commission serves as an advisory body to the governor in matters related to the Middle Eastern communities and to serve as a bridge between the communities and the administration,” said Alsadah.
Deep reach in higher education
A native of the Republic of Yemen, Alsadah earned his associate degree in general studies from the Wayne County Community College District. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and his master’s degree in public administration with a focus in political science from Eastern Michigan University. He also earned a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University.
Currently, Alsadah is working on finishing his doctorate in health administration at Central Michigan University. His research is focused on mental health, using the Yemeni-American population in Wayne County as a base for study. He expects to complete the degree this year.
Since 2015, Alsadah has taught at HFC. He also teaches at Oakland Community College.
Active member in the Arab American community for more than 3 decades
“I have been an active and advocating member of the Yemeni and Arab American communities for more than 30 years,” said Alsadah. “I honor public service and I believe in good governance. Politics is the right tool for me to achieve that.”
Alsadah is the president of the National Association of Yemeni Americans (NAYA), which is a non-profit organization committed to the civic, cultural, educational, and political empowerment of our communities. He’s the chair of the Yemeni American Democratic Caucus (YADC) and a board member of the Yemeni American Civil Rights Coalition. For 18 years, he served as the honorary general counsel of Yemen in Michigan and the Midwest.
Both HFC President Russell Kavalhuna and HFC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Nealon expressed their congratulations to Alsadah.
“Congratulations on your gubernatorial appointment to the Michigan Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs,” said Kavalhuna. “I am proud to have you as our colleague.”
Added Nealon: “Let me join my voice in offering sincerest congratulations on Abdulhakem Alsadah’s new appointment to the Michigan Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs. This is a well-deserved honor. I am confident that our community will benefit greatly from his expertise and experience. Thank you for your service!”
“I’m honored to serve and be part of the great HFC team which I have gotten to know over the years,” said Alsadah. “I hope to use my academic and lifelong, hands-on experience to advance HFC’s goals and objectives through continuing my employment and association with the College. I’m grateful for the opportunity that my colleagues and administration have given me to be part of the team.”