About Us

RISE was established in 2006 by Kevin and Shahrzad Sabet, who met years earlier at Oxford University as graduate students. Through RISE they have developed a unique formula to help young people succeed, lead, and live up to high ideals. They are both personally involved in every aspect of the Institute, including curriculum development, teaching, travel and accommodation, security, food quality, and excursions.

Mentor-scholars at RISE are current or former (within four years maximum) graduate students at top-tier universities. At RISE we believe that instructors who have recently demonstrated a record of success can most credibly connect with students. We pair a select group of motivated high school students, who exhibit a high level of potential, with young, already accomplished mentor-scholars who can transfer to them their skills, knowledge and experiences.  All instructors undergo a rigorous criminal and academic background check to ensure that the highest ethical and scholarly standards are maintained.