Biography

Dr. Abdelnasser Hussein is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston–Downtown’s College of Public Service. He earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Rhode Island, where he is a proud alumnus.

Dr. Hussein’s professional background spans both educational and community leadership. He has served as a chaplain with the Massachusetts Department of Correction and at the University of Rhode Island. In K–12 education, he brings extensive leadership experience, including serving as principal of the Islamic School of Rhode Island.

His leadership roles extend into professional and community organizations, having served as president of the New England Council of Islamic Schools, president of the Muslim Community of Kingston (RI), vice president of the Rhode Island Council of Muslim Advancement, and board director for the Greater Providence YMCA.
Dr. Hussein is also the co-founder of Partners in Peace, which later evolved into Building Relationships: Islam & Judaism (BRIJ), a collaborative initiative with students from Brown University. A committed advocate for dialogue and cooperation, he remains an active member of both Muslim and interfaith communities.