Real Students of Macomb

Kayla Neal’s interest in politics began in 2008, before she was even nine years old. That was the year that Barack Obama was elected president of the United States.

“Being the first black male in office, there was a lot controversy,” offers Neal.  “And me, also being black, had to wonder if people wouldn’t like me because of the color of my skin.  As I got older and learned about slavery and how most race problems are based in politics, it made me want to study it to fight for equal rights and protection for all people.”

Obama is high on the list of Neal’s favorite presidents.  And so, too, is the lesser known James Polk, who served as commander in chief from 1845 to 1849.

 “Polk is one of my favorites because he is one of the only presidents to keep the campaign promises he made,” says Neal, of the eleventh U.S. president, best known for territorial expansion.  “Everything he told the people he would do, he did. I think that is really admirable.”

 Neal started college as a high school junior as part of the Early College of Macomb program.  She took classes simultaneously at L’Anse Creuse High School North and Macomb, graduating with her diploma in 2018 and an associate degree in 2019. With the two years of tuition at Macomb covered by her school district, it’s an academic path she would recommend to others.

 “I appreciated being treated like an adult by my professors, says Neal.  “I loved the independence and freedom that came with being a student there. It was absolutely wonderful.”

Not surprisingly, when Brooke Allen, Macomb political science professor, began recruiting for a trip she leads to Washington, D.C. every other year, Kayla Neal signed up.        

 “Politics has always been a potential career path for me.  Having been in Washington makes me feel like I’ve done something,” says Neal, who is now majoring in political science at the University of Michigan – Flint. “Seeing The White House, Supreme Court, Library of Congress and so on inspired me to follow my values.”

 Because of a grant from the Thomas S. Welsh Fund for Public Service and Political Science, the cost to individual students was kept at $300.  That made it a manageable expenditure for Neal, who works at a local Dairy Queen, and a worthwhile one.

 “My favorite landmark would have to be The Lincoln Memorial,” says Neal.  “I don’t know how my life would have turned out without him as a free black woman in this country.”

 In addition to the Capitol tour, which offered students insight into all three branches of the federal government, there was also a visit to some of the museums that comprise the Smithsonian Institution.

 “This was my first time in the African American Museum and while the content, at times, could be hard to look at, I felt a sense of unity with myself and my identity,” says Neal., shown here in front of it. “It was empowering.”

Ever since his childhood, Jahidul Islam, 20, wanted to emigrate from Bangladesh to America. On April 24, 2016, his dream came true.

“Here, you can live a better life,” says Islam. Compared with the agriculture-based economy in Bangladesh, “you have good jobs” and educational opportunities. That’s not to say he doesn’t remember his home country fondly.

“There is no single day that I don’t miss my country,” ruminates Islam. “Every single day. Every single moment, I miss my country, my environment, my old school, my friends.”

Before relocating to the United States, Islam completed much of his secondary education in Bangladesh. He finished his senior year at Warren Mott High School, among whose students Macomb Community College has a “really good reputation.”

Islam, who started at Macomb in the fall of 2018, notes that the college was his first choice. A couple of his relatives had previously attended the college before transferring to a university and now have successful careers. This prompted him to ask, “why not Macomb?”

Contributing to Islam’s success at Macomb are the Reading and Writing Studios and the Learning Centers. Each day, he spends an hour utilizing these resources before class begins. Islam notes that he especially appreciates that students have the advantage of free tutoring. While similar services were available in Bangladesh, they were expensive. Even above the resources, his favorite thing about campus is that people from all backgrounds are openly welcomed.

“I think the best thing about Macomb is the diversity,” says Islam. “There’s not one community of people. There’s a lot of communities.”

In his down time, Islam enjoys playing cricket and soccer, and participates in the Metro Detroit Cricket League during the summer. In addition, he likes to interview academically successful students, asking them how they maintain their grade point average.

“Can you give me five minutes?” Islam will first ask before proceeding with questions about his peers’ study habits. “How did you get this score? And, how do you work every day to get this score?”

Islam also serves as a translator for his family. “Nobody speaks English very well in my family, and I’m the first person who is coming to school or college,” he says. “I need to do all of their official things,” which include doctors’ appointments and banking.

After graduating, Islam hopes to transfer to Wayne State University or The University of Michigan – Dearborn to continue his studies, with a minor in Arabic.

This photo of Tyler Giza standing under a bridge in Tucson, Arizona, tells you a lot about the 2018 Henry Ford II High School graduate.  He’s inquisitive about how things work and he pays attention to detail.  That made him an ideal candidate for Macomb’s Global Supply Chain Management Program.

“I’ve always been curious about how components get from one place to another,” says Giza, who just completed his first year at Macomb on his way toward an Associate of Business Administration Degree in Global Supply Chain Management.  “I emailed Professor (Patrick) Greek when my sister told me about this program.  He has become my mentor.”

Upon Greek’s recommendation, Giza participated in Wayne State University’s Supply Chain Case Competition, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, earlier this year.  Giza was the only community college student on his team, which was faced with the task of solving a supply chain dilemma: a shortage of one type of widget and a surplus of another.  His team’s solution involved modifying older parts until the new ones could be delivered, allowing production to continue.  Out of 12 teams, Giza’s took first place.

“That was a pretty great experience,” he says.  “It really sold me on supply chain management.  It is an up-and-coming career that is expected to grow by seven percent. It doesn’t matter whether its frozen dinners or automobiles, every company depends on its supply chain.”

Just as he did his research before deciding on a career, Giza is also determined to learn as much as he can about the automotive industry, in which he expects to begin working after graduating from Macomb. He will be attending the Center for Automotive Research Management Seminars, held in Traverse City each summer, on a scholarship from the organization.  Speakers will include executive leadership and researchers from General Motors, Ford, Daimler, Nissan, Honda, U.S. Department of Energy, Magna International, Delphi Technologies and the University of Michigan, to name just a few. Topics will focus on the future direction of the automotive industry, with ample opportunities for students to network with prospective employers.

“I’m looking for flexibility in a career,” says Giza, who intends to transfer to Wayne State University after he graduates from Macomb to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management.  “At Macomb, I’ve had a lot of engaging professors, like Professor Greek, and they’ve kept things interesting.  I’ve been able to save money and get a feel for what supply chain management is really like.”

Giza, who works full time as a cook at Lakeside Family Restaurant, also participated in the Inforum Breakfast in downtown Detroit in January. It’s held each year during the North American International Auto Show and is intended to raise awareness among college students about leadership opportunities in the automotive industry. For his part, Giza has no doubt about what those opportunities will involve.

“I think autonomous vehicles are the future,” he says. “The vibe I get is that it will happen.”

Jessica Daffin-Thompson hopes to transform her love of telling stories and taking stands through the songs she writes into a career that “marries” journalism with political science, and she is in awe of how quickly that dream is taking shape at Macomb.

Since her first class in January, Daffin-Thompson has been mentored by Brooke Allen, political science professor, and Casandra Ulbrich, former vice president of College Advancement and Community Relations, who holds a Ph.D. in communication. Daffin-Thompson has also received a Democracy Fellowship from the Campus Vote Project and chatted one-on-on with Carl Bernstein when he and Bob Woodward (famous journalists who broke the Watergate scandal) spoke at the college in February.  Last spring, she visit Washington, D.C. with her political science classmates, before beginning an internship in the Warren office of U.S. Congressman Andy Levin.

“As soon as I started taking classes at Macomb, my life changed immediately. All these doors started opening,” says Daffin-Thompson.  “You don’t have to be a stellar student to start here, you just show your professors that you want (to learn), and they will help you get there.”

Following graduation from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Daffin-Thompson was accepted at Michigan State University. Encouraged throughout childhood by her parents, she was intent on becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. But she got sidetracked from that goal by a disappointing freshman year and the promise of a music career.

“I was supposed to be the golden child.  I was going to own Michigan State. I was going to make the dean’s list,” relates Daffin-Thompson. But large classes, rising tuition costs and a lack of connection with her professors made it easy to accept an offer from a record company. Unfortunately, she, like many young singers and songwriters, failed to read the fine print.  The company, not Daffin-Thompson, owned the rights to the songs she wrote and performed.  She returned home to Detroit, married a police officer turned accountant, had their son, Ira Thompson III, and moved to Clinton Township.

“I was trying to figure out what to do next when my husband said, ‘Hey, didn’t you want to be a lawyer once?’” relates Daffin-Thompson. “That’s when I decided to check out this place called Macomb.”

With lower tuition rates, “living lectures,” professors who “want to be here,” and “never-ending, exciting experiences,” Daffin-Thompson believes community colleges are “the best transition from high school.”  And, before she transfers to the University of Michigan – Dearborn to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and/or journalism, she is taking advantage of all that her community college has to offer, including the Macomb Multicultural International Initiatives events that she regularly attends.

“These forums are so valuable, especially when people are identifying so strongly with political parties right now,” offers Daffin-Thompson. “It’s better to flow off of love and kindness, and that’s what these programs, this college, is all about.”

As many refined gourmands would say, a large part of the fine dining experience lies within the presentation. Meet Macomb culinary student Aubrey Davis. Aspiring to start her own personal chef business, she derives as much satisfaction from crafting meals that tantalize the taste buds as she does turning them into masterful works of art.

“My favorite thing to do is make a beautiful plate of food that somebody takes a bite and they’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh! This is so good!’” Davis expresses. “Like, they get that face of, ‘So good!’”

While cooking always served as a hobby for Davis, it wasn’t her initial career path. She previously obtained a teaching degree in secondary education, Spanish and English, from Western Michigan University. When her then boyfriend moved to Massachusetts, he invited her to join him. She started teaching in a charter school. The pair got married, and then returned to Michigan “to be closer to family, and think about starting our own family.”

After teaching for nearly 10 years, Davis became a stay-at-home mom to her four children, including triplets. As her kids approached school age, she questioned her desire to resume teaching. “I enjoyed it,” she relates. “But, I could tell it wasn’t really my passion.” She then decided to revisit her preferred sideline activity and turn it into something more.

Davis began researching culinary schools, and first discovered Macomb through word of mouth. Living in Clinton Township, she appreciated that it was close to home. Beyond that, the reasonable tuition helped her gravitate toward the college.

“The cost is incredibly more affordable than any other culinary program that I’ve found. That kind of got me here,” says Davis. “And, now I’m completely hooked.”

Given the level of praise Davis bestows upon Macomb’s faculty, it’s safe to assume they would receive Michelin’s three-star rating, the publication’s highest honor, if they assigned rankings to members of the teaching profession. Whereas students “might feel like you’re more anonymous” in larger culinary programs, says Davis, Macomb’s professors “get to know you and want to figure out how to connect you with opportunities that would really help you further where you want to go with your cooking.”

Unexpectedly, Davis has developed an appetite for participating in competitions throughout her academic journey. Tasked with preparing a multicourse meal within a strict time limit, it sounds like an undertaking that would make even the most seasoned chef sweat.

“At first, I did not know that I would even like competitions,” shares Davis. “I was so, so super nervous.”

Now, having taken part in five challenges, Davis is seemingly an expert, and has brought home several gold medals. She says that they provide her with an almost “one-on-one education,” practicing dishes she otherwise wouldn’t have tackled in class.

“I’ve learned so many more advanced sauces and different techniques,” adds Davis. “[It’s] like frosting on the Macomb cake, for me.”

Anticipating to graduate after the winter 2020 semester, the end of Davis’ studies looms on the horizon. But, she won’t be completing them without reservation.

“I don’t really want to graduate [from Macomb],” laments Davis, “because I love it so much.”

With help and encouragement from her husband, family and friends, Trisha Dinverno, 29 and mother of three, became determined to pursue her career goals, while still managing her household.

Dinverno, who grew up in Midland, Michigan, met her husband at 18, when he was a student at Northwood University.

“We got married and we did things backwards,” Dinverno relates. “He finished school, and I never got a chance to go to college.”

Throughout the years, Dinverno had worked the odd receptionist job, “but nothing that was really fulfilling.” One day, her husband engaged her in a serious conversation about her future. “Do you want to want to go back to school?” he asked. “I will support you.”

Following an eight-year gap in education, the prospect seemed both daunting and exciting to Dinverno, who “never thought that I could even go back to school with three kids.” She emailed three local colleges for guidance, and found that Macomb’s response was “warm and welcoming.” After meeting with a counselor on campus, “I knew immediately that this is where I wanted to be.” But, what did she want to be?

Dinverno did some research and concluded that dental hygiene was the right field to match her lifestyle. This was validated by the advice of her own hygienist, who shared that she loved the regular schedule and knowing what each day would bring.

At Macomb, Dinverno’s efforts have been centered around completing her prerequisites. In order to accommodate her busy home life and finances, Dinverno takes advantage of night and online classes, and will often limit herself to one or two courses per semester.

“Being a non-traditional student, it’s a little harder, because I have so much other stuff going on,” notes Dinverno. “But, I’m way more focused now than I could have ever been at 18 going into college.”

Now down to her final three classes, Dinverno will be applying in the fall for University of Detroit Mercy’s Dental Hygiene Program. And, she credits her extensive support network for getting her to this point.

“I couldn’t have done it without my husband,” notes Dinverno. “When he comes home from work, around five, I go to school.”

For the past three years, Dinverno’s study group, two other women with whom she’s shared classes and resources, has kept her on track.

“One of the girls is 24, I’m 29 and the other one is 39” says Dinverno. “So, it kind of helps, because we all see things so differently.”

Approaching the end of what she calls “an awesome, awesome journey” at Macomb, Dinverno now seems to have gained newfound confidence in herself, as well as a greater appreciation for who she is and her place in society.

“It’s so nice to accomplish something for yourself,” says Dinverno. “And, it’s so important to have your own identity.”

It’s not often that students are presented with an opportunity to help shape the future of their college. That’s why when Lukas Mackenzie, 19, was recommended by James Matheney, the college’s police chief, to become involved with Macomb’s Strategic Plan 2025, he jumped at the chance.

“Having the student perspective, I think, is important,” says Mackenzie. “Students are the ones that go to the classes, and they have more of a different perspective on things.”

Mackenzie’s role with the strategic planning process is just one component of what he describes as “the busiest semester I’ve had in my whole school experience.” In addition to his coursework during winter 2019, he also plays football and soccer, volunteers with Gleaner’s Community Food Bank and Lighthouse Outreach Center, and has been serving as a work-study for the College Police Department since November.

“I’m not complaining about any of it,” says Mackenzie. “I really enjoy myself every day. I wake up and feel good about myself.”

After graduating from Lake Shore High School in 2017, Mackenzie came to Macomb to complete his general education requirements and figure out what he wanted to do with his life.

“If you’re not certain on a major like I was, Macomb is the perfect place to start,” says Mackenzie. “The counselors would help you out, give you options.”

Mackenzie encourages new Macomb students to take advantage of all the resources the college has to offer. Speak with the tutors at the Learning Centers and meet with faculty during their office hours. They can break down difficult concepts and put them into simpler terms.

“It’s very obvious, in my opinion, with me and my peers,” says Mackenzie, “that they want you to succeed.”

Beyond that, Mackenzie suggests that students should “go with the flow” and avoid feeling rushed. It’s the same advice he would give to his three brothers. His oldest sibling has taken classes at Macomb, and another will be attending in the fall.

“I feel like just finding your way in life would be a big thing,” says Mackenzie. “And, that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Mackenzie’s sights are currently set on a career in nursing, following in his mother’s footsteps in the health care profession (she works as a respiratory therapist for Children’s Hospital of Michigan, in Detroit). His goal is to graduate in May, 2020 and transfer to the University of Michigan to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Long term, he hopes to eventually settle into an executive position, such as nursing manager.

For now, Mackenzie is perfectly content living at home, saving on tuition and setting money aside for the future. “People are moving out later and later,” he says. “It’s not a bad thing at all.” Conversations with friends he’s made at Macomb have elicited similar responses.

“That’s the kind of mindset that I think people have here,” says Mackenzie. “Coming here, still taking the same classes (as they would at a university), saving money, and still going on about life as any other person.”