Tillman Scholars in the News

Tillman Scholars are already making waves in the new year! Read on to see how they continue to lead through action.

Maisha Rounds, 2018 Tillman Scholar

Maisha Rounds was recently awarded an AASA Educational Administration Scholarship and was featured on two local media broadcasts: “All Kids Can Read: Episode 2” on Boston Neighborhood Network TV and on Dash Podcast.

Maisha received her National Board Certification, and earned Teacher of the Year in her school district before serving as a transformational school leader. Currently she is an elementary school principal.

In her recent interviews, Maisha talks about the importance of community, how having her own children has given her a more complete picture of the public education system, and the 3 signature practices that her school and the community partners all engage in to help students succeed.

Read more about the AASA Educational Administration Scholarship here.

Listen to Maisha on Dash Podcast here.

Watch “All Kids Can Read” here.

Syed Faraz, 2019 Tillman Scholar

Syed Faraz was selected as a LunaCap Military Fellow, Class of 2022.

Syed is an Air Force veteran and played a crucial role in the rescue of 40,000 refugees and led a campaign to deliver aid to 1,600 earthquake survivors. The last three years, he’s been deeply engaged in national security innovation as the CTO for the U-2 community.

Read more about Syed’s selection here.

Adiba Hassan, 2020 Tillman Scholar

Given the events of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has moved the issue of health disparity to the forefront, where systematic health disparity and police brutality has become a top public health priority. Increased exposures to racially motivated police brutality has left a growing number of Americans with an unfavorable impression of policing, proposing defunding of the police. Adiba Hassan wanted to be able to investigate this further to provide scientific evidence to the fight against structural racism.  As such, Adiba came across a unique opportunity to apply for a grant to conduct research surrounding structural racism through the Epidemiology Department at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

“I had the wonderful experience of collaborating with two prominent researchers on race and equity from the Fielding School of Public Health, Drs. Vickie Mays and Susan Cochran, and lead in drafting a research proposal that aims to investigate if the presence of policing results in increased harm or safety among people of color, specifically Black Americans in the US, and opportunities for this relationship to be improved.  I hope to begin this research in the upcoming quarters with the support of Drs. Mays and Cochran,” said Adiba, of the opportunity.

Carrie Mayer, 2019 Tillman Scholar

Carrie Mayer was selected as a Grassbaugh Fellow for the Grassbaugh Veterans Project at Moritz.

Carrie is a 2019 Tillman Scholar and a veteran of the United States Army. She is currently pursuing a law degree at The Ohio State University to improve her home community and her family. She wants to continue her service to the country by living and working in the city of Columbus to achieve long-term progress.

Read more about the Grassbaugh Fellow here.

Robert Faulk, 2016 Tillman Scholar

Robert Faulk was recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association, Tactical Athlete Special Interest Group as the new SIG Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Robert is a veteran of the United States Army and following his tour, he was inspired to help those who were recovering from injuries. He started the Amputee Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and he and his team has just launched a research study with 3rd Special Forces Group, Ft Bragg and 1st Reconnaissance Marines, Camp Pendleton.