Dean of Academic Affairs

Yasir Qadhi

Yasir Qadhi is the Resident Scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center. He is also the Dean of The Islamic Seminary of America. He is one of the few people who has combined a traditional Eastern Islamic seminary education with a Western academic training of the study of Islam. Yasir graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, after which he was accepted as a student at the Islamic University of Madinah. After completing a diploma in Arabic, he graduated with a B.A. from the College of Hadith and Islamic Sciences, and then completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology from the College of Dawah. He then returned to America, and completed a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University. He has authored several books, published academic articles, and appeared on numerous satellite and TV stations around the globe. His online videos are of the most popular and highly-watched Islamic videos in English.

Executive Vice President

James Jones

Dr. Jones is the Executive Vice President of the Islamic Seminary of America. He is a Professor Emeritus of World Religions and former Chair of both the Dept of World Religions and the African Studies Program at Manhattanville College (Purchase, NY). Dr. Jones’s research focuses on the sociocultural impact of prejudice and the intersectionality between sexism and racism. He has a DMin from Hartford Seminary (Christian- Muslim relations) and a MA in Religion from Yale Divinity School. He is President of the Malik Human Services Institute, a marriage counselor for more than two decades, and a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Development Consultant

Tariq Yoonas

Development & Communications Coordinator

Ke’lona A. Hamilton

Ke’lona earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern California (USC) and has a specialization in creative writing, campaign development, donor communications and stewardship. She is a Certified Fundraising Manager through Indiana University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Philanthropy. Ke’lona has worked in the Muslim nonprofit sector for many years, as well as the Islamic educational industry and is a dedicated nonprofit professional, passionate about improving the American Muslim community and empowering American Muslim families to thrive.

Director of Operations

Aliya Nehal

Administrative Coordinator

Shazia Aslam

Shazia has a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Shazia has a specialization in Health Policy and Administration and has worked with non-profit organizations in both the public and private sectors. She has managed outreach and case management programs for pregnant and new moms and their newborns in under-served areas. Shazia has also worked at a Municipal Health Department where she managed a program addressing childhood lead exposure and prevention.

Chief Strategy Officer

Abdullah al Mamun

Abdullah al Mamun is dedicated to strengthening Muslim-led institutions that uphold the prophetic legacy of education, justice, and service. 

In July 2025, he was appointed Chief Strategy Officer at The Islamic Seminary of America (TISA), where he leads advancement, strategic growth, and efforts to make TISA sustainable as a premier institution offering graduate degrees in Islamic Studies and Chaplaincy.

He previously served as Vice President of Advancement at Bayan Islamic Graduate School for nearly five years, and before that spent eight years as Deputy Executive Director at the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA). His community leadership began as a Youth Director with the Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA). 

Through his coaching firm, Khair Impact, Abdullah provides strategic guidance for leaders and boards in nonprofits and faith-based organizations to enhance strategy, capacity, and resource development. He also contributes through service with the Sachse Muslim Society, Quba Academy, and Zil Money.

Abdullah earned his BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Business Administration from Fordham University and completed graduate studies in Graphic Communication Management and Technology at New York University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership through the Zakat Foundation Institute, with research focused on organizational sustainability through zakat and sadaqah financial models. 

He lives in Sachse, Texas, with his wife and their four sons.