Dr. Akbay earned his B.S. in Chemistry Education in Türkiye and completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry at Louisiana State University, followed by postdoctoral research at Georgia State University. He joined Fayetteville State University in 2004, where he has since built a distinguished academic career. During his tenure, he served as Department Chair, led the department through successful American Chemical Society (ACS) accreditation, expanded undergraduate research opportunities, and championed evidence-based teaching innovations—including flipped learning, team-based learning, adaptive learning technologies, and project-based instruction.

With the Virtual Active Learning Academy (VALA-NC), Dr. Akbay aims to reimagine K–12 virtual education in North Carolina through an innovative model that integrates active learning, adaptive instruction, authentic real-world experiences, and accessible pathways for every student. His work is grounded in a strong commitment to educational equity, meaningful community engagement, and expanding high-quality, future-ready learning opportunities for all children—regardless of background or circumstance. 

Beyond his professional career, Abdelilah is deeply involved in non-profit and community-based initiatives, including NAFIS and Pillars in NC, where he supports initiatives focused on youth development, education, mentorship, and community empowerment. Through this work, he has firsthand experience engaging families, supporting community members holistically, and helping organizations translate mission into measurable impact. He brings a mission-driven mindset, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

Abdelilah is particularly passionate about learning models that combine active engagement, adaptive instruction, and authentic, real-world experiences, especially for students who may be underserved by traditional, location-bound schooling.

Aligned with VALA NC’s 5A Learning Framework: Active Learning, Adaptive Instruction, Accountable Systems, Authentic Experiences, and Accessible Education, Abdelilah offers board-level perspective on data-driven oversight, scalable digital platforms, and family-centered transparency. He believes high-quality virtual education should be rigorous, inclusive, measurable, and deeply human.

As a Board Member of VALA NC, Abdelilah is committed to supporting the school’s mission to redefine virtual education in North Carolina, ensure statewide access regardless of geography, and help build a sustainable, innovative model that prepares students to thrive in the 21st century.

With more than two decades of experience teaching chemistry in both traditional and online environments, Dr. da Silva has developed a strong expertise in curriculum development, student-centered instruction, and educational technology.

Throughout her career, Dr. da Silva has focused on making rigorous academic content accessible and meaningful for diverse learners. She has designed online science courses, developed instructional materials that support conceptual understanding, and led initiatives to help students build confidence, curiosity, and real-world problem-solving skills. Her work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves an engaging, supportive, and equitable learning environment.

In 2001, he founded the Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA), a humanitarian organization rooted in the Islamic principles of zakat, sadaqah, stewardship, and service to humanity. Under his leadership, ZFA has expanded into a global institution operating in 50 countries and providing emergency relief, sustainable development, education, healthcare, and long-term community support. His work emphasizes strategic, community-centered solutions that address both urgent needs and structural challenges.

Mr. Demir has worked in more than 35 countries, collaborating with refugees, widows, orphans, and displaced families affected by war and disaster. As Executive Director of ZFA, he has led the establishment of schools, orphanages, vocational programs, mental health centers, and sustainable infrastructure worldwide. He is also the author of 9 Myths About Muslim Charities and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. His efforts have been featured in major media outlets and recognized with numerous national and international awards.

Dr. Lodhi has earned numerous competitive scholarships and prestigious awards throughout his academic and professional journey, including the NUFFIC/FAO Fellowship, UNESCO Research Fellowship, Asia 21 Scholarship, Yoneyama Rotary Scholarship, Kenan Fellowship, and a Fulbright Specialist Award.

His current research focuses on three primary areas: 1) Identifying individuals using low-copy-number DNA recovered from touched objects, 2) Developing innovative methods for forensic science education, and 3) Identifying individuals through DNA obtained from blood-feeding insects.

Dr. Lodhi actively mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students through hands-on research projects. He has published widely in reputable international peer-reviewed journals and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Research. He is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association for Identification, the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists, Council of Forensic Science Educators, and the North Carolina Academy of Science.

Mr. Mashal’s professional background includes extensive experience in private equity and Islamic banking institutions, where he has been involved in various financial activities such as product development, structured finance, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPO), private placement memorandum (PPM), and due diligence. He is particularly interested in developing decision-making models and financial structures for Islamic Social Finance and Impact Investing.

In addition to his role at Quantum Metal Exchange Inc., Mr. Mashal has held significant positions in his career, including Director at Raqaba, where he contributed to the development of the Raqaba Index and led international and US engagements. He also served to expand the US client base and leading engagements with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).

Previously, Mashal worked at a publicly traded private equity firm in Kuwait for several years. In his role as Deputy Manager, Corporate Finance, he managed public firms, completed an IPO, prepared PPMs, and participated in due diligence and acquisitions.

Mr. Mashal’s educational background includes a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business in 2018. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in finance and a minor in international studies from the American University of Kuwait and a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence with a focus on Islamic Business Law from Kuwait University. 

In addition to her school-based leadership, Ms. Parks is a Doctoral Graduate Assistant in the School of Education and Leadership at Fayetteville State University, where she supports research, instructional innovation, and student mentoring. Her professional contributions demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, continuous improvement, and leadership development rooted in both theory and practice.

Ms. Parks also serves as the Principal of the Islamic Center of Fayetteville’s Weekend and Summer School programs, where she launched the institution’s first full-time summer enrichment initiative serving students from pre-K through eighth grade. Her ability to design and implement culturally relevant, impactful learning experiences reflects her belief in nurturing the whole child academically, socially, and spiritually.

Throughout her career, Ms. Parks has held roles as an administrative intern, classroom teacher, and adjunct instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College and Miller-Motte College. Her experience includes curriculum design, restorative discipline, MTSS implementation, and program development. She is recognized for her reflective leadership style, community engagement, and passion for empowering educators and students to succeed in diverse learning environments.

Ms. Parks holds a Master of School Administration and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, respectively. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at Fayetteville State University.

Grounded in service and guided by integrity, Altrovise S. Parks exemplifies the mission-driven leadership essential to advancing innovation, equity, and excellence in public education.

Before her current leadership position, Ms. Rashad served as a Staff Psychologist I for Robeson County Public Safety from 2020 to 2024. Her responsibilities included delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals with severe mental illnesses and personality disorders, developing behavior management strategies, and conducting comprehensive psychological and risk assessments. She also played a critical role in suicide-prevention oversight and coordinated closely with medical and classification teams to support patient well-being.

From 2016 to 2020, Ms. Rashad worked as a Staff Psychologist in an inpatient mental health setting within the Wake County Hospital Healthcare Complex. There, she provided evidence-based crisis intervention, individual and group psychotherapy, diagnostic assessments, and clinical consultations. She also contributed to staff development by delivering training on mental health management, suicide precautions, and care for developmentally disabled populations.

Ms. Rashad is professionally credentialed as a Licensed Psychological Associate with Health Service Provider designation (LPA HSP-PA) and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). Her distinguished career is marked by numerous awards recognizing excellence in service, leadership, and behavioral health support, including Public Safety Employee of the Month, Behavioral Health Star Performer Awards, and multiple wellness-team championships. Her earlier achievements include academic honors such as the Chancellor’s and Dean’s List and the Lonnie E. Mitchell Substance Abuse Consortium Scholarship. She also proudly earned the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal in 1999.

A graduate of Fayetteville State University, Ms. Rashad earned her Master of Arts in Psychology with summa cum laude distinction in 2006. She brings to her work a deep commitment to compassionate care, evidence-based practice, and the advancement of mental health services within high-need and high-impact environments.