From the long hallways of Singley Academy to those of the University of Texas at Austin, Yasmin Alfurati has come back to Irving to work as the Development Assistant of the Irving Schools Foundation. 

A former recipient of the Irving Schools Foundation HIPPY Scholarship, Yasmin Alfurati graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Global Studies with two minors in Biology and Spanish. During her four years at college, Yasmin’s accomplishments have included working on initiatives that connect underserved communities to vital socioeconomic resources.

Yasmin served as the Curriculum Chair for the Google Community Leaders program, where she created tech-inclusivity workshops for Tech Promotora, an organization that helps increase digital literacy in South Austin. She also interned at the Dell School of Medicine as a Health Leadership Apprentice and served as a Spanish Medical Interpreter for People’s Community Clinic. Yasmin was also a part of the Texas Orange Jackets, which serve as the official hosts of the University of Texas. She is also the co-founder of For Texas, You Will: Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, a $50,000 scholarship endowment awarded yearly to UT students. This is her greatest accomplishment.

Before committing to UT-Austin, Yasmin’s high school career also includes incredible achievements. Yasmin attended Barton Elementary School, Crockett Middle School, and was part of the first 8th-grade class at Lady Bird Johnson Middle School. Her specialty at Singley Academy was Medical. While studying in that field, she served as captain of the HOSA-Future Health Professionals debate team, Junior Class President, head writer of the yearbook, and had the great opportunity to graduate with her CNA/EMT certification. She was also a part of the Children’s Medical Center Junior Leadership Board, where she helped fundraise over $25,000 for the Children’s Research Institute. 

She’d like to give a shoutout to some of her great teachers, including Ms. Song Yim, Ms. Deanna Darr, Mrs. Kristen Molina, Mr. Jarrod Bolin, Dr. Harold Bradley, and Mrs. Dora Mendoza.

All of the skills and experiences she gained in high school prepared her to success at UT-Austin. Some of her extracurricular activities included being a part of the Liberal Arts Council, Texas Alpha Delta Epsilon, the University Leadership Network, Texas Thon, and Texas Orange Jackets. When Yasmin was a junior, she was the recipient of the Benjamin E. Gilman International Scholarship presented by the US Department of State that supported her study abroad journey in Barcelona, Spain. 

Yasmin recognizes the immense impact that organizations such as ISF had on her career – she wants to ensure that as many students in Irving ISD have those same opportunities. She is very excited about collaborating with the community and promoting ISF’s mission. Her main goal and priority are to establish various streams of income for the foundation. She wants to increase engagement and involvement, ultimately benefiting the students of Irving ISD. 

We asked her why students should apply to ISF scholarships: “Scholarships are extremely important in the process of applying to college. Every scholarship adds up – no matter how big or small! Students are more likely to receive a scholarship from local organizations – at ISF, we want to make sure that as many students as possible receive a scholarship.”

The ISF scholarships application opens December 1st and can be found here: https://irvingschoolsfoundation.org/programs/scholarships/

Yasmin says, “I believe that every opportunity that is given to us should be given back in some form or another. I feel deeply committed to increasing access to higher education, as well as providing students with the opportunity to be students. As an Irving ISD alumna, I am proud of my community, but I recognize the immense help that it needs. I feel proud to be a part of an organization that does so much for our community.”

“Help will always be given to those who ask for it! Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers, counselors, or administrators for help. We’re always here for you!”

Welcome to the team, Yasmin!