In her previous roles at IU — as an access coordinator, she supported students with disabilities, served as a resource for staff, faculty, advisors, and other campus partners, and worked with IU legal. She also worked with the Gregory S. Fehribach Center to support students with physical disabilities gain paid internships year-round which led to full time employment after graduation. These students were also supported by the Walter Center for Career Achievement with crafting professional resumes and cover letters. As an associate instructor, she taught program planning and personal health courses to undergraduate students.
Shakoor earned a Ph.D. in health behavior from IU, an Ed.S. in higher education leadership from National Louis University, and an MSc. in public health from University of Illinois at Chicago. Past positions pre-IU include lecturer and program coordinator at University of Ghana; program assistant at Family Education & Support Center in British Columbia, Canada; educator with the Monroe County Community School Corporation in Bloomington; and adjunct assistant professor
Q: What led you to Bloomington and ultimately IU?
A: My father had visited Bloomington for many years to visit with friends and was here in 2007 to work on a project with the law school. He invited us to spend time with him from Chicago, and it’s been home since.
Q: What’s something you want people to know about your office/work that they might not know?
A: My office creates opportunities for K-12 students to visit IU and see our beautiful campus as an attainable option for college. We offer day trips, summer camps, and Spring Shadow opportunities; when high school students are paired with college students to get a sense of college life. We share resources with them by collaborating with campus partners and all OVPDEMA departments especially 21st Century Scholars, GROUPS, and Hudson & Holland scholarship programs. My office is also responsible for the Herbert Presidential Scholars Program that supports high achieving Indiana students for four years at all IU campuses, which includes $1,200 for a laptop and $1,000 for study abroad.
Q: What’s one project you’re working on now that you’re excited about?
A: One of CSP grants supports students who submit a proposal and after review and approval, students receive funding to complete the project. We currently have two students ready to receive the funding for their senior project. CSP is working on increasing career readiness portfolio through collaboration and grants.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IU?
A: Every day is an opportunity to learn something new or meet someone with a brilliant idea in my day-to-day interactions or travels. When I am out during outreach in the community and a student or parent has an aha-moment. The joy on their face is priceless.
Q: What is your favorite place on campus? In Bloomington?
A: The Commons, on the bench near Lin (Elinor Ostrom).
