Meet New AIC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim 脰zdemir
听A former university president and internationally respected environmental philosopher, VPAA 脰zdemir shares how he will be a part of President Timothy’s team and how his leadership ethos shapes his engagement with students, faculty, and the broader AIC community.
Leading with an Open Heart and Mind
Four Ways AIC鈥檚 New Academic Leader Embodies Authenticity, Dialogue, and Shared Growth
Dr. Ibrahim 脰zdemir is the newly appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs of AIC. Known internationally for his scholarship in environmental ethics and interfaith dialogue, 脰zdemir brings with him not only a distinguished academic career but a deep commitment to inclusive, curiosity-driven, and student-centered education.
Having started in his new role on August 1st, Dr. 脰zdemir is already gaining recognition across the AIC community for his warm, approachable presence and intellectually open spirit.
As a former university president and advisor to global sustainability initiatives, he brings a collaborative, service-oriented mindset to academic leadership. 鈥淲e are not just preparing students for jobs鈥攚e鈥檙e preparing them to be compassionate and critically engaged global citizens,鈥� 脰zdemir says.
Here are four ways Dr. 脰zdemir is helping shape a renewed academic culture at AIC鈥攐ne rooted in shared inquiry, deep listening, and ethical leadership.
- Lead as a Co-Learner and Collaborator
鈥淚n every setting鈥攆rom meetings to talking with students鈥擨 don鈥檛 come with all the answers,鈥� Dr. 脰zdemir says. 鈥淚 come to learn as much as I come to lead.鈥�
He invites colleagues and students to co-create solutions when discussing curriculum development or student research projects. 鈥淕reat teams grow through mutual respect and the joy of discovery,鈥� he adds. His academic philosophy is grounded in shura鈥攖he Islamic principle of collective consultation鈥攁nd reflects his experience fostering inclusive dialogue across faiths and disciplines.
“As educators and leaders, we must embody the ethical integrity and open-mindedness we wish to inspire in our graduates. Let us remember that our beloved Prophet 锓� was described as a 鈥榣iving Qur鈥檃n鈥欌�攂ringing the Qur鈥檃nic wisdom and values to life through his actions, character, and example.” 鈥� VPAA 脰zdemir.
- Embrace and Admit Uncertainty
Dr. 脰zdemir quickly acknowledges when he doesn鈥檛 have an immediate answer. But rather than see that as a limitation, he views it as an invitation to engage.
鈥淎s a philosopher, I hold that authenticity carries greater weight than authority. When I don鈥檛 know something, I acknowledge it openly, inviting others to explore the answer with me.鈥� 鈥� VPAA 脰zdemir.
This attitude creates space for shared problem-solving and allows AIC鈥檚 academic leadership to be transparent, reflective, and responsive. He frequently redirected questions to the faculty senate or student governance bodies, reinforcing their agency and voice in institutional decisions.
- Ask Open-Ended, Meaningful Questions
Whether speaking with faculty over coffee or engaging students after Jumu鈥檃h, Dr. 脰zdemir is known for his thoughtful questions:
- What inspires your work right now?
- What barriers to learning should we be addressing together?
- What makes you feel seen and heard at AIC?
He believes that good leadership begins by allowing others鈥� stories to emerge.
鈥淲e listen not just to respond, but to understand what kind of community we鈥檙e building together.鈥澨� 鈥� VPAA 脰zdemir.
- Be an Active Listener, Always
For Dr. 脰zdemir, the most powerful ideas are rarely born in boardrooms鈥攖hey emerge in genuine conversation. A self-described student of Socrates, he applies the Socratic method across his academic and professional life, guided by the conviction that 鈥渄ialogue is a form of mutual care.鈥�
His leadership style is grounded in attentiveness鈥攌eeping his ear to the ground, learning as much from hallway exchanges as formal meetings. Whether advising students on their capstone projects or mentoring faculty toward publication, he meets people where they are. 鈥淲e are shaping something greater than ourselves,鈥� he often reminds his colleagues, 鈥渁nd that requires attention to both vision and voice.鈥�
Drawing on his experience with UNESCO鈥檚 environmental ethics initiative, Dr. 脰zdemir extends this principle beyond the campus. He urges institutions to recognize that fundamental transformation begins when academic goals align with moral responsibility鈥攖o the Earth, society, and future generations.
Looking Ahead: AIC鈥檚 Promise for Transformative Education
As 青楼传媒 expands its academic programs, strengthens interfaith engagement, and prepares students for leadership in a complex world, Dr. Ibrahim 脰zdemir remains focused on one guiding mission: cultivating a culture of learning grounded in integrity, openness, and hope鈥攙alues envisioned by the late Ismail R. al-Faruqi as the enduring spirit of AIC.
鈥淥ur role is to teach facts and help students cultivate wisdom, humility, and courage. That鈥檚 what an Islamic liberal arts education is truly about.鈥� 鈥� VPAA 脰zdemir