Adan Hussain

Adan Hussain is the Director of Cohort Based Scholarships including the Kessler Scholars and UP Scholars programs. As the director, Adan provides the intellectual vision for the Kessler Scholars Program and is responsible for leading innovative programmatic and curricular development along with long-term strategic planning in concert with LSA Dean’s Office. He selects each cohort of scholars, develops programming based on student input, and teaches the first-year seminar. Adan was a first-generation college student and was part of a cohort-based scholarship program when he attended undergraduate school at Colby College. Stepping into his new position brings him back to his roots. He is passionate about education access and believes diversity and multiculturalism are central to student success through and beyond college. 

Prior to the Kessler community, Adan led first-generation initiatives that impacted students, staff, and faculty across the University. He created the First-Generation Gateway Office, launched UM’s first-generation efforts to be nationally recognized, and published research on developing trusting relationships with first-generation college students. At Ohio State University, Adan taught intercultural leadership and has over 1500 hours of facilitation experience on interrupting incidents of bias.