murad abusalim

Dr. Murad Abusalim is actively engaged in supporting higher education; advancing service learning and community engagement; and promoting comprehensive planning and sustainable community development. These integrated goals highlight Dr. Abusalim personal mission during his past 15 years of experience that encompasses architectural research and education, administrative planning, and professional design.

Dr. Abusalim area of specialty is housing and community development, though he has interest in analyzing the reciprocal relationship between sustainability and societal and environmental contexts of a given region. He worked for several years as professional architect before proceeding with his post professional degree in Architecture. Most of his professional design experience in the United States and abroad has been in the areas of housing, mix-use urban projects, and cultural centers. In summer of 2009, he co-designed the first LEED certified house for low-income family in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

As an educator, he constantly seeks to incorporate community oriented projects that enhance students’ interaction and collaboration skills, and expand their experience beyond classroom settings. A recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, Dr. Abusalim teaching, service, and administrative efforts have been recognized, in part, by the 2014 Zebby Award Citation of Honor from the Lower Rio Grande Valley-American Institute of Architects; the Texas Tech University Outstanding Graduate Part Time Instructor Awards; and the 2009 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award from the University of Texas at Austin.