Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

ESMAT ISHAG-OSMAN

Ann Arbor

Summary

Motivated research professional with 10 years’ experience in policy, government, data analysis, municipal finance, higher education, nonprofit, grant work, political and community organizing.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Legislative Policy Director

Office of Councilman Fred Durhal III, City of Detroit
03.2023 - Current
  • Oversee and direct policy initiatives, ensuring proper execution and management of standing committees, ordinances, and resolutions.
  • Equip the Council Member for committees and formal sessions by comprehensively reviewing, distilling, and providing insights on legislative documents, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, legal settlements, and board/commission appointments.
  • Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research on pivotal topics such as housing, transportation, development, gun violence, and racial equity, ensuring informed decision-making for the Council Member.
  • Monitor critical events, policy shifts, trends, and relevant issues, ensuring up-to-date understanding of the broader policy environment.
  • Facilitate strategic communication and relationship management with the mayor's office, state government officials, business executives, and other key city stakeholders, coordinating meetings and discussions to align on policy initiatives and city development projects.

Research Associate

Citizens Research Council of Michigan
04.2021 - 02.2023
  • Served as lead research associate for the Citizens Research Council of Michigan’s Detroit Bureau, leading to reliable research.
  • Policy expert on all matters related to the City of Detroit focused on fiscal analysis and municipal finance.
  • Produced long and short form reports, blogs, and presentations monthly for the public and policy makers, ensuring key players’ understanding of issues.
  • Published 3 long form reports, 22 blogs, and 3 op-ed pieces for the media.
  • Corresponded often with the media and relevant government and community stakeholders on policy matters, resulting in clarity on policies.
  • Provide presentations and educational seminars to the public on pertinent policy matters and ballot issues.

Research and Program Assistant

Wayne State University/Center for Urban Studies
09.2014 - 04.2021
  • Conducted and managed mixed-methods research projects for the Michigan Department of Education, Levin Law Center, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • Designed surveys, evaluation methodologies, and data collection protocols focused on early childhood education, disabilities policy, and doctoral program curriculum reform.
  • Analyzed and synthesized complex survey and evaluation data to inform program improvement and policy recommendations.
  • Managed partnerships and data-sharing agreements with external stakeholders and funding organizations, securing additional resources for mentoring and internship initiatives.
  • Contributed to scholarly publications, internal reports, and strategic planning efforts to enhance doctoral education and public policy research.

Senior Policy Analyst

CitizenDetroit
09.2018 - 02.2020
  • Served as primary researcher and writer for the Knight Foundation's Detroit "Citizen Manual" project.
  • Created content on local government adopted by Detroit Public Schools as part of its civics curriculum.
  • Served as project lead and writer for Kresge Foundation's Early Childhood Development grant project.
  • Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions, and meet deadlines.
  • Performed research on behalf of grant specific deliverables, and provided data and analytics as needed for grant reports.
  • Facilitated civic community events through grassroots mobilizing and organizing.
  • Developed content, curriculum, and voter education material for 10+ workbooks related to policy issues and elections.

Political Science Instructor

Wayne State University
08.2017 - Current
  • Taught courses in political science focused on U.S. government, American political thought, and comparative politics.
  • Served as an instructor for the Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders teaching public policy and management.
  • Developed course curriculum for lecture & online classes utilizing instructional design and experienced based learning.
  • Put together immersive activities, political debates and special projects to promote student learning.
  • Taught over 50 students per semester in classes such as Intro to Government and American Political Thought.

Campaign Manager

Committee To Elect Shannon Smith
05.2018 - 11.2018
  • Managed my first city-wide campaign for a DPSCD school board candidate amassing over 34,000 votes.
  • Supervised various roles within campaign dealing with field strategy, communications, fundraising, and volunteers.
  • Analyzed countless voter file data creating comprehensive field strategies for GOTV efforts.
  • Fundraised and networked with donors to meet monetary goals exceeding monetary goals raising over $22,000.

Education

Ph.D. - Political Science

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
03.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science/Pre-Law

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
05.2012

Skills

  • Quantitative & qualitative research methods
  • Data collection & analysis
  • Policy briefs and reports
  • Municipal finance
  • Project management
  • Public speaking
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Legislative knowledge & strategy development
  • Issue monitoring
  • Team leadership and management
  • MS office
  • Communication skills

Accomplishments

  • Wayne State University Commencement Redux Keynote Speaker (2022)
  • Wayne State University Graduate School Commencement Speaker (2021)
  • Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Detroit Program (Class of 2022)
  • Michigan Political Leadership Program (Class of 2021)
  • New Leaders Council Detroit (Class of 2019)
  • Winner of 2018 GEOC Teaching Award for the best graduate instructor in the social sciences at Wayne State University.

Affiliations

  • Board of Directors, Black Family Development, Inc., 2018 to Current
  • Board of Directors, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC Detroit), 2025 to Current

Timeline

Legislative Policy Director

Office of Councilman Fred Durhal III, City of Detroit
03.2023 - Current

Research Associate

Citizens Research Council of Michigan
04.2021 - 02.2023

Senior Policy Analyst

CitizenDetroit
09.2018 - 02.2020

Campaign Manager

Committee To Elect Shannon Smith
05.2018 - 11.2018

Political Science Instructor

Wayne State University
08.2017 - Current

Research and Program Assistant

Wayne State University/Center for Urban Studies
09.2014 - 04.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science/Pre-Law

Michigan State University

Ph.D. - Political Science

Wayne State University

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