Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) Alum Isra Yousif was raised in Qatar and immigrated to the U.S. with her family, driven by the pursuit of better health and education opportunities. Leaving everything behind, their arrival in the U.S. was marked by culture shock and language barriers. Despite these challenges, her unwavering goal of attending college remained at the forefront of her mind. Isra is the Grant Lifecyle Manager at Community Outreach Specialist at Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado.
Isra’s embarked on her educational journey at South High School, she faced the additional hurdle of moving frequently and attending multiple Denver Public Schools. Overcoming these obstacles, she finished high school through an alternative high school and transitioned to the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver). The shift from high school to college posed additional challenges, with the different workload requiring her to catch up with coursework to align with her classmates. At CU Denver, she majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Her interest in law enforcement was sparked in her home country when she encountered a female police officer, a profession more dominated by males. Additionally, her exposure to psychology through her older sister’s classes revealed the intriguing overlap of the two fields.
Isra and her family
After graduation, Isra pursued a master’s degree in criminal justice at CU Denver while working full-time on campus or in other jobs. Isra first heard of DSF through her sister, who was already a DSF Scholar then; “My sister mentioned an organization helping DPS students apply for college and scholarships, that was DSF,” said Isra. Her journey with DSF started with financial support and then later developed into a form of community. 87% of students served by DSF are first-generation students, and Isra, identifying as such, found community at DSF events that helped her connect with other students with similar backgrounds. She also saw different resources to support her understanding and navigating the college-going process, allowing her to create new opportunities for her family.
Her interest in law enforcement allowed her to be the Financial Management Analysis and Community Outreach Specialist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Within those roles her dedication and experience allowed her to establish non-investigative relationships with members of the communities in Colorado and Wyoming and raised awareness of FBI programs that benefit the community.
Now, as the Grant Lifecycle Manager, she oversees federal grants from inception to conclusion, ensuring compliance with both federal and university regulations, ensuring that funds are allocated appropriately. Her experience enables her to effectively assist in grant management, contributing to the organization’s mission while upholding financial integrity. Her goal is to promote Indigenous health by supporting the work that the Principal Investigators in the center conduct through conducting culturally informed research, advancing wellness initiatives, and fostering collaboration among Tribal nations, researchers and healthcare providers.
Her advice reflects her journey, encouraging students to enjoy their college experience, make connections, and apply to every available program to build a more extensive network. “Get to know your classmates and be nice and kind; kindness helps you find the resources you might be looking for. It’s okay to make mistakes, admit them, and have the knowledge and perseverance to move forward. One mistake should not define the person you become,” said Isra. Her success and continued community involvement are attributions to surrounding herself with resources and people. She exemplifies the impact of resilience and community support.
