District hires Somali cultural liaison

Edina Public Schools (EPS) announces the hiring of Abdikadir Ibrahim as the new Somali cultural liaison for the District.

Ibrahim brings a long history of working with the Somali community and many years of experience in academic settings. He was most recently dean of students at Edison High School in Minneapolis. He previously was administrative and academic coordinator for the Al-Amal School in Fridley; community outreach coordinator for Blue Cross Blue Shield; and from 2001 to 2013 held numerous administrative and staff positions related to education at the Islamic Civic Society of America, Minneapolis.

Ibrahim holds a bachelor’s degree in scientific and technical communications with biological sub plan from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and a master’s in educational leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato. He began his duties with the EPS on Nov. 20.

Ibrahim replaces Abdul Abudllahi, who held the position for the past two years. He joins the District’s other cultural liaisons: Blanca Diaz deLeon, liaison for Spanish-speaking families; and Priya Rao, liaison for South Asian families. Together, they partner with families to engage and enrich the academic experience of students and families in the District’s largest bilingual demographic categories.