A TISA Short Course for College Students: The Fundamentals of Prophetic Leadership, hosted by the Center for Ethical and Effective Organizational Leadership (CEEOL), a partnership between TISA and Rabata, took place this past weekend, February 14-16, 2025, at TISA Headquarters in Richardson, Texas. Building on the success of previous events, this intensive three-day short course brought together a new cohort of passionate college students, eager to cultivate the leadership skills needed to create positive change within their communities. Students from across the nation were carefully selected through a competitive application process, and were gifted both Kindle and paperback versions of the course materials. The course focused on developing ethically grounded, Islamically knowledgeable leaders with a clear vision for community development by diving into the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through an engaging and dynamic experience.
TISA’s Richardson facility provided an optimal learning environment for this immersive educational experience. The main classroom, and additional breakout spaces, allowed students to spread themselves out for focused group work. The students’ experience was further enriched by faculty and teaching assistants who were present throughout the program, offering mentorship and guidance every step of the way. To keep participants energized, the event featured high-quality halal meals and refreshments throughout the duration of the course. Congregational prayers were held at the Daniyat Masjid located on the same floor as TISA headquarters.
On Friday, students formed gender-like groups, where they would work together throughout the weekend to process and synthesize the material, which they would then present to their peer groups for feedback. The diversity of the students fostered a rich exchange of ideas and strategies for community development. The cohort was energetic and highly motivated, as they explored the leadership qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and how these timeless values can be applied to modern-day challenges.
Saturday was transformative, where students unlocked their potential as future leaders, solving problems through ethical lenses. The workshop started soon after Fajr and ended at Maghrib, making for a full day of learning and growth.
By Sunday, the camaraderie and support system built among peers was evident. The weekend concluded with an awards ceremony, where each student received a framed certificate signed by the lead faculty. In addition to the certificates, several students were recognized with competitive awards based on peer feedback.
This event was made possible by the generous support of several community organizations, including MAS Dallas, Inaeya Wealth Management, Support for Educational and Economic Development (SEED), and Helping Hand for Relief and Development. We are grateful that this transformative weekend empowered the students, faculty, and staff to play an active role in shaping the future of our Ummah, ensuring that it is led by capable hands.
