Yara Abdeen joined Notre Dame Jerusalem in March 2026. She is an education professional with experience supporting student success, program development, and community partnerships.
Before joining Notre Dame, Yara worked as Deputy Manager at Horizons Academy, where she supported the growth of educational programs and helped students navigate opportunities for higher education. She also served as a Program Officer at Al Nayzak for Supportive Education and Scientific Innovation, working with teams to implement youth development initiatives and strengthen organizational systems.
Yara’s early work included college advising and student support, where she focused on helping young people explore their academic goals and transition to postsecondary opportunities. She has facilitated workshops on college readiness, leadership, and personal development for students and educators throughout the region.
She also brings experience from the startup and innovation space, having co-founded a small venture in Canada centered on leveraging technology for storytelling, and supported early-stage founders through community programs in Jerusalem.
Yara holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering with a minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University.
She is fluent in English and Arabic. Yara is committed to expanding access to education and supporting young people as they pursue their goals.
Email: yabdeen@nd.edu