About Adel

A first-generation graduate. Now leading with integrity and results.

Adel Mozip is a product of Dearborn Public Schools. He spent the years since building the community ties that brought him back to the board that shaped him.

“I applied three times and ran unsuccessfully twice for the same seat. Since my appointment and after my election in 2020, I've challenged the administration and my colleagues to do more for our students, teachers, and staff.” — Adel Mozip, Trustee, Dearborn Board of Education

The path here

A district kid, three campaigns, and a decade of showing up before he had a seat at the table.

2004

Graduates Fordson High School

Finished with honors and the Bilingual Department medallion, a few years after arriving from Yemen as a 13-year-old student new to the district.

2004–08

Computer Engineering at UM-Dearborn

Elected Student Government Senator and chaired the Academic Affairs Committee, where he pushed extended library and computer lab hours during finals — working with, rather than against, university administration.

2008

Co-founds AAYSP

Helped launch the Michigan chapter of the American Association of Yemeni Students and Professionals to open doors to higher education for the next generation, and served as its president through 2012.

2016 & 2018

Runs for school board — twice

Placed third for two open seats in both elections. Kept showing up: joined the district's Strategic Plan Committee, the Governor's Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, and the Rotary Club of Dearborn in the years between.

2019

Appointed to the Board of Education

Selected from 11 applicants to fill a vacant seat on both the school district board and the Henry Ford College board — the seat he'd run for twice before.

2020

Elected

Won a decisive victory, finishing first overall with 14,392 votes and securing a full six-year term. Ran a successful campaign based on a track record of nearly a year and a half on the board.

2025

Board President and Chair

Provided steady leadership during one of the most challenging periods in district history — steering the Board through multiple school board resignations, the departure of the Superintendent to become Michigan's State Superintendent, and the transition of Henry Ford College's President to Western Michigan University.

Endorsements

“Adel Mozip is deeply invested in the success of our kids and the future of our community. I've had the opportunity to witness his commitment firsthand; he shows up, listens, asks the tough questions, and never hesitates to stand up for our students, families, teachers, and staff. Adel leads with integrity, transparency, and accountability, and he understands that investing in our children today means building a stronger Dearborn tomorrow. I'm proud to support Adel and his re-election to the Dearborn Board of Education.”

Kamal Alsawafy
Kamal Alsawafy Council President Pro Tem, City of Dearborn

“He is absolutely the right person needed to represent the community on the school board based on his character and true commitment to education.”

Joe Bixler
Joe Bixler Port Huron Board of Education Trustee

“I’ve known Adel Mozip for years, and I’ve watched him serve our community with integrity, consistency, and real care for our kids. As a Dearborn Schools trustee, he shows up, does the work, and keeps students and families at the center of every decision. I’m proud to endorse Adel for re-election — Dearborn needs leaders like him on the Board.”

Leslie Herrick
Leslie Herrick Former Dearborn Councilwoman and President Pro Temp

A leader, on the Board and beyond!

The organizations Adel has built and shown up for long before — and alongside — his time in office.

Founder

AAYSP

Co-founded the Michigan chapter to support metro Detroit (including Dearborn) students pursuing higher education.

Instructor

Digital Connectors Program

Taught the Comcast-sponsored, ACCESS-hosted digital literacy program for three years from 2013 to 2016.

Appointee

Governor's Commission

Served on the Governor's Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs from 2016 to 2024.

Committee

2015 & 2019 Strategic Plan Committee

Helped shape the district's long-range planning years before joining the board in 2015 as an involved parent and then as a Trustee in 2019.

Member

Rotary Club of Dearborn

Served as Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Dearborn from 2015 to 2022. Chaired the scholarship committee in 2019 awarding more than $60k to our Dearborn students.

VP & Member

Eastborn Neighborhood Association & League of Women Voters Dearborn/Dearborn Heights (LWVDDH)

Along with his wife, Adel is a proud member of the League of Women Voters, Dearborn/Dearborn Heights. Adel volunteered to manage their site from 2017 to 2022.

President and Chair

Dearborn Board of Education

2025: Elected President of the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education by his fellow trustees. In this role, he leads both the school district and Henry Ford College boards, guiding major decisions on academics, facilities, budget, and student success for one of Michigan’s largest and most diverse school systems.

President and Chair

Dearborn Board of Education

Provided steady leadership during one of the most challenging periods in district history, successfully steering the Board through **multiple school board resignations**, the departure of the Superintendent to become Michigan’s State Superintendent, and the transition of Henry Ford College’s President to Western Michigan University.

Off the board

Adel works as a software developer and a trainer—where he brings more than 15 years of senior engineering experience at leading companies including Beaumont Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and J-Mack Technologies / Booz Allen Hamilton. He operates SpanHead LLC, a Detroit-based software startup focused on web, mobile, and technology solutions, and is the business owner of Ibb Hijamah and Herbs LLC, a Dearborn wellness center specializing in traditional healing practices.

He holds a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Wayne State. He's married with two children — his oldest attends Geer Park Elementary, and his wife attends Henry Ford College.

Hometown Dearborn, MI
High school Fordson HS, 2004
Education UM-Dearborn · Wayne State MBA
Family Married, two children
Occupation Senior Software Developer, Business Owner, Trainer
Hobbies Coaching little league soccer and a soccer fan

Help keep this work going

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