Ayse Arslan Cinar

Experienced educator and community leader in Islamic studies and interfaith cooperation. Demonstrates strong pedagogical skills while fostering critical thinking and dialogue among students. Effective in independent and collaborative teaching environments, contributing to enhanced student engagement and performance. Knowledgeable in curriculum design, assessment methods, and classroom management, promoting a supportive learning community.

• Turkish, Native
• English, Fluent

• Youth Coordinator, Turkish American Society of Chicago, Mt Prospect, IL, 01/16-12/19 and 01/23-12/24, Provided mentorship and academic-social support to college-bound students, Organized seminars with professionals to address identity, faith, and community challenges
• Community Projects Director, Niagara Foundation, Chicago, IL, 01/04-12/16, Coordinated interfaith dialogue events, civic education workshops, and cultural outreach programs, Engaged leaders from diverse faith communities to foster cooperation and mutual understanding
• Director, Weekend School, Turkish American Society of Chicago, Mt Prospect, IL, 01/05-12/06, Oversaw religious education and cultural instruction for Turkish-American youth, Designed curricula integrating language, values, and faith traditions

• Lecturer, Core Educational Services, South Riding, VA, 01/25-Present, Lectured 2 separate groups of young professional women, groups ranging from 8-10 people, in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region on a weekly basis between Spring of 2025 and Present on various Islamic topics ranging from spirituality to philosophy of Islam, and from community services to inner contemplation practices in Islam
• Lecturer, Core Educational Services, Mineral, VA, 05/17/26, Lectured a group of nearly 30 young professional women on Islamic spirituality and modern life balance and challenges.
• Lecturer, Core Educational Services, South Riding, VA, 05/15/26, Lectured a group of nearly 20 young professional women on self realization and inner contemplation.
• Lecturer, Core Educational Services, Chantilly, VA, 04/19/26, Lectured a group of nearly 35 young professional women on women in modern world and challenges and solutions to them in Islamic tradition.
• Contributor, Mrytle Beach, Mrytle Beach, SC, 01/16-20/26, Discussions and reading on Islamic sufism and modern day challenges and opportunities with a selective group of 20 professional women, led by a World-known Islamic scholar, Dr. Emine Eroglu.
• Panelist, Faith & Service in the Modern Day Panel at George Mason University, GMU Interfaith & Spiritual Center, Fairfax, VA, 10/14/25, Presented a paper on Interfaith roots in Islam and co-paneled the session with my Jewish and Christian fellow scholars, Dr. Andrew White and Dr. Bruce Aft. Discussed perspectives on faith and service, discussing the Hizmet movement and how religion influences service to society from diverse faith traditions.

• HarvardX - Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Part 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron