Haroon Al Hayder, an advocate for youth who works to center and elevate student voices, has been named Civic Nebraska’s school community coordinator at our Lincoln High School Community Learning Center. He began in his new role in July.
The Lincoln High CLC is a program within our Youth Civic Leadership initiatives. Haroon advocates for students, families, and neighborhood residents; works with the Link community to create effective programs for teens participating in the CLC; and plans, schedules and directs daily CLC activities. He also is the point person for projects between the CLC and the surrounding community.
Haroon, who is originally from Iraq, came to the United States in February 2016. He holds two degrees from two different international universities – a bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Duhok in Iraq and a bachelor’s in communication studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
As the leader of Civic Nebraska’s Lincoln High CLC, Haroon said he enjoys fostering a safe, supportive, inclusive, and thriving environment for students’ success in areas of personal development and academic achievement.
“We strive to create opportunities for families and community partners to build empathetic, welcoming, and strong neighborhoods and ensure that their insights and ideas help shape our programming,” he said.
Haroon is no stranger to the CLC. Before becoming our school community coordinator for the Links, he was the assistant school community coordinator at LHS. Haroon said his time in that role helped him learn about the mission and vision of Civic Nebraska of including everyone in a robust democracy.
Haroon said he is most inspired by seeing students realize their natural talents – and, through the Lincoln High CLC, to cultivate and bring out those talents of those who participate in it.
“The only way we can see that talent is by centering their voice, creating supportive and safe space for making mistakes and learning from them, and listening to their stories with empathy and an open mind,” he said.
Haroon lives in Lincoln, and in his spare time he enjoys painting in watercolor – with the color blue often being prominent –playing soccer, enjoying movies, or reading. He is married to Sipan, who remains in Iraq, and is waiting to be reunited with her. Haroon also has family in Germany and Sweden.
Join us in welcoming Haroon to his new role with Civic Nebraska and the Lincoln High CLC! He’s at ha*************@ci***********.org.
