Zeeshan Noor is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs degree offered by the Public and Nonprofit Management program at the University of Texas at Dallas.
His research is primarily focused on the use of digital media in the nonprofit sector and faith-based philanthropy. His other topics of interest include fundraising, human resource, and diversity management.
Dr. Noor serves as the Chair for the ARNOVA’s Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society Common Interest Group (MPCSCIG), Chair-Elect for ASPA’s Section on Professional and Organizational Development (SPOD), and as a Co-Chair for the Annual ASPA Capstone Panel Committee. He will also be joining the Newsletter Committee for the ASPA’s Section on International Comparative Administration (SICA) for the 2021-2022 term.
Dr. Noor is a proud recipient of the 2021 ASPA SICA David Gould Scholar Award, 2020 ARNOVA Doctoral Fellowship, and 2019 ARNOVA Diversity Fellowship. He was also awarded the Doctoral Research Grant ($2,500) by the Center on Muslim Philanthropy and Young Muslim Scholars Development Grant ($1,500) by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, IUPUI. In addition, he received the 2021 Wallace O. Keene Conference Scholarship and 2018 WSSA-Travel Enrichment Experience Scholarship.
Dr. Noor was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society as a lifetime member in 2015 by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Ifeoma Akobi, Graduate Assistant, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Ifeoma AkobiIfeoma Akobi is a second-year M.A. student of philanthropic studies and a graduate assistant at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is also the Presidential Fellow for Advancement at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
Prior to joining the school, she received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and worked as a public health pharmacist overseeing the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS program, and the implementation of the Nigerian Government’s National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
She is passionate about deploying philanthropy as a tool for visionary leadership, economic development, and systemic change. This is evident in her academic pursuits as well as her philanthropic work with the Colombia Club, Spirit of Life Church Indianapolis, and the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. She enjoys writing poetry, composing songs, and sharing her creative works. She was also awarded the first prize for the 2021 Mission Possible 5×5 Competition and she is an active member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Mission and Vision Strategy Team.