Accomplished in the use of a Williams Optics Zenithstar telescope, talented at astrophotography and a fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson (“Who isn’t?” he asks), Andrew Lapeer is reaching for the stars as his family has always encouraged him to do.  

“I have held an interest in the cosmos for as long as I can remember,” says Lapeer. “My mother and grandmother will often tell stories about my fascination with the moon as a child.”

On the order of deGrasse Tyson, host of National Geographic’s Star Talk, Lapeer has set his sights on becoming an astrophysicist. Accepted at the University of Michigan, he will begin classes in the fall with a major in Astronomy and Astrophysics. And the Lapeer (city) native is almost as excited about living in Ann Arbor as he is about gaining access to U of M’s worldwide network of telescopes and observatories, including those on its own campuses.

“My plan is to get an apartment off campus and truly immerse myself in the campus life,” says Lapeer. “I was raised in a small town with an approximate population of 800 so it’s a big jump, but exciting nonetheless.” 

While a student at Macomb, Lapeer was a contributor to Helium Flash, a sky-focused newsletter edited by Francette Fey, astronomy professor and keeper of Macomb’s own observatory on South Campus. For the newsletter’s last issue, Lapeer used the Williams Optics Zenithstar and a Canon Rebel T7i to capture photos of The Pleiades (Seven Sisters), a star cluster within the Taurus constellation, located about 400 light years from Earth.

“The Williams Optics Zenithstar is an APO doublet (this is not a misspelling) refractor telescope, meaning it uses two internal mirrors to bring three different wavelengths into focus together in the same place,” explains Lapeer. “In simpler terms, it does a fantastic job amplifying light particles from across the universe.”

Lapeer gives much credit to his parents, brother and grandmother for being “beyond supportive” as he follows his dream, and he offers the same encouragement to others.

“The one piece of advice I would give any incoming student would not be restricting yourself,” offers Lapeer. “Enjoy new experiences and allow yourself to be open to everything.”

Although he’s “on the fence” about earning a Ph.D., Lapeer intends to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at U of M.  Then, he hopes to conduct private research from locations across the globe, although an astrophotography trip to Alaska is already planned. Befitting a future astrophysicist, Lapeer also researched astronomy programs before choosing U of M.  And, so, too, he compared community colleges before choosing Macomb.   “Macomb stood out in more ways than one. The MTA (Michigan Transfer Agreement) allowed me to transfer every single course I’ve taken at Macomb, but to see my time end here is sad.” says Lapeer. “Macomb has allowed me to grow tremendously as a person and pursue paths I never dreamed of. The experience has been amazing.”

When the house they were renting in Detroit was sold out from under them by their landlord, Lady-Marqui Sholar and her husband only had the time and means to pack up their clothes and infant daughter and camp out in a Walmart parking lot. Giving their furniture to a neighbor and waiting for her husband’s payday so they could afford a hotel, Sholar, pregnant with the couple’s second child, began formulating a plan for a better future.

“I tried to go back to school during this time but I could not because we could not afford it,” relates Sholar, who lived in a car with her family on and off for six months that year. “Then, finally, my husband and I both got jobs at Fiat Chrysler.” 

Sholar’s first attempt at returning to school when she was financially able was discouraging. She didn’t feel a connection with the college she had chosen and its academic resources were sparse. Then a friend recommended Macomb.

“When I came to Macomb, I was welcomed with open arms and friendly people,” says Sholar, who graduated in May with an Associate of General Studies Degree and has transferred to Colorado Technical University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in General Business Administration online. “I am so thankful I transferred to Macomb, where they nurtured me and gave me an opportunity to grow.”

Sholar’s two daughters, Ava-Joi and Avia Faithe, are now 9 and 8, respectively. Her husband of 11 years, JaJuan Sholar, continues to work on the line at Fiat Chrysler while pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Sholar, however, is in line to start a new and better job. She credits her success in college for paving the way to it and other opportunities.

“Professor (Holly) Beatty and (Edward) Rice offered so much support, challenging me to think outside of the box in their classes and in real-world scenarios,” relates Sholar. “I didn’t realize it then, but they were setting me up for every academic milestone I wanted to achieve while on my educational journey.” 

Sholar, who reads law books and researches past criminal cases in her spare time, now intends to apply to law school after she completes her bachelor’s degree. A first-generation college student, her goal is to become a lawyer and, ultimately, a Detroit Circuit Court judge. Again, she credits Macomb for guiding her through the transition from what was to what could be.

“My experience as a student at Macomb has been awesome. The Registrar’s staff answered my questions about my transfer credits and Erin Fortuna (counselor) took me under her wing,” says Sholar. “The professors gave me hope and help. I am so thankful for all of them.”

Shelby Schwartz, 24 and from Center Line, has experienced a lifetime of loss in just a few short years. But, thanks to a strong support system from friends and Macomb’s faculty, she now has an associate degree to her name and bright prospects for the future.

“I’ve been working towards my current degree for almost six years,” says Schwartz, “and the longer it took, the less I wanted to continue.”

Thankfully, Schwartz persevered in the face of several hardships, many of which began in high school. Schwartz’s senior year at Center Line High School saw the passing of six people in her sphere, including her brother.

“I spent my last week of high school with him and ended up failing a lot of my finals,” notes Schwartz, “but I still graduated with honors, and I’m very proud of that.”

While Schwartz was awarded a scholarship to attend Eastern Michigan University, she prioritized her family and instead came to Macomb.

“Sometimes I think about how different my life would have been had I gone to a university,” ruminates Schwartz, “and I always conclude that I am who I am today because of Macomb.”

Initially, Schwartz started by taking online classes to meet her general studies requirements, but found that remote education required “a lot of self-discipline that I didn’t have at 17,” especially for somebody with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who “can’t focus like other students.” She soon discovered Macomb’s Speech Communication Arts program and realized she had found her calling.

“It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” relates Schwartz. “My friends like to tell me that the program is perfect for me because I talk too much.”

Given this, it should come as no surprise that Schwartz’s favorite class was Interpersonal Communication. She believes learning to communicate with others is a critical skill, and it will undoubtedly prove useful in her future career. Currently working as a caregiver for LaJoy Group, she hopes to one day manage social media for a radio station or large corporation.

“I want to be like the person that runs the Wendy’s Twitter account,” adds Schwartz about the fast food chain whose social media menu consists of humorous posts that often poke fun at their competitors.

In 2019, tragedy struck Schwartz once again when she lost one of her best friends. Feeling overwhelmed, she considered dropping out until her favorite professor, Janet McKenney, proposed an alternative. McKenney reminded her student that, while “it was okay to need some time off,” she “was already so close to the finish line.” Instead, she suggested taking a one-semester sabbatical to work through her grief.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dr. J., and I wouldn’t be getting my degree if it wasn’t for her,” says Schwartz. “She’s an incredible role model.”

Schwartz, who is currently living with her mother and in the process of adopting her niece, graduated this month with an Associate of Applied Science in Speech Communication Arts. The fact that it took a little longer for her to reach this point is of little concern.

“Society convinces us that we need to have everything figured out by a specific time or age and it’s not true,” explains Schwartz. Forget society, because you’re not doing this for them, you’re doing it for you.”

Paulina Gjergji is grateful for all the inspiring mentors she has had in her life, beginning with a much-loved health care worker in Albania.

On visits with her parents to their Albanian homeland, Gjergji has always been struck by the compassion, confidence and skill with which her aunt, a doctor, cares for her patients. When the time came to choose her own career, Gjergji knew that she wanted it to emulate that sense of purpose.

“My older sister had a great experience in the Medical Assistant program at Macomb. I would attend the (Student Organization of Medical Assistants) fundraisers with her, which also gave me more insight into the program,” says Gjergji. “I decided to follow her footsteps into the program after graduating from Chippewa Valley High School in 2018.”

Gjergji passed the national Certified Medical Assistant exam after completing her first year in the program. She is now working for a team of surgeons at their office in Rochester Hills as she continues her studies.

“I very much enjoy working for the five doctors and with the other medical assistants in this practice,” she says. “I am overjoyed in my career choice because I have always loved helping people.”

Gjergji is the first generation of her family to be born in the United States. Her parents received their Green Card in a lottery and emigrated from Albania in 1998 on the heels of a violent civil war. Bordered by Greece and Kosovo and across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Albania is only now recovering from more than 50 years of isolation under communist rule. But, notes Gjergji, it will always be her parents’ home.

“It was hard for them to leave everything behind and come to a different country without knowing the language,” offers Gjergji. “They sacrificed a great amount for my sisters and I to have a better life.”

Now close to finishing her associate degree at Macomb, Gjergji has been attending her last few classes in a virtual environment.

“I actually like my classes being online,” says Gjergji. “It has given me the ability to do my assignments on my own time after spending time with my family and after work.”

“Family,” is very important to Gjergji, with most of her relatives still living in Europe. At home in Macomb County, Gjergji winds down from work and studies by “researching and fixing cars with my dad.”

Similarly, her learning experience at Macomb has had a family-like quality to it as well. “I have had such amazing professors who were very knowledgeable, understanding and helpful,” says Gjergji. “Professor Domanke-Nuytten pushes all of her students to be great and makes sure to make them comfortable talking with her about anything and everything. She will forever be a great source for advice and information.”

Danielle Madill has her hands full with two small children and the last two classes to complete before earning her associate degree in Cybersecurity from Macomb in May. But unlike most of her classmates right now, she can hone encryption techniques while watching her children play on the beach.

“It’s beautiful here. It’s sunny and in the mid-70s,” says Madill, who lives in Florida and appreciates the sand, saltwater fishing – she caught a stingray, after all – and a sunny climate that allows her to indulge in another of her favorite pastimes whenever she can. “A good run,” she offers, “always sets the mood for the day.”

A graduate of L’Anse Creuse North High School, Madill is Macomb County born and raised. The move to Florida came courtesy of the U.S. Navy, in which her husband Jason is on active duty. Wearied by the stress of transferring to another college every time Jason was transferred [CJ1] to another location, Madill decided to enroll in the online Cybersecurity program at Macomb.

“My motto is: ‘I don’t know where I’m going,’” says Madill, “’but I know where I can be.’”

It’s no coincidence that Madill’s mom works in the information security field. Persuaded by her depiction of the challenges and rewards of the job, Madill enrolled in her first Information Technology class.

“It was an ‘ah ha’ moment,” relates Madill.  “It took me a while to find my interest, what I wanted to major in, so this was a big relief for me.”

Madill now intends on pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree at Walsh[CJ2] , with plans on a career in risk management or as a security analyst. Her interest in these fields was stirred by her current participation in the National Cyber League competition, which is required in one of her classes.

“I have to give credit to my professor, Keith Nabozny. He is excellent at teaching the material and pushing you to figure out the answer while providing constructive criticism,” says Madill. “I have also had the pleasure of collaborating with my fellow classmates on several group assignments.”

Madill does, indeed, enjoy spending time at one of the beaches near her home in Pensacola with children Mackenzie, 9, and Jayden, 12. Her family’s days in Florida, however, are numbered.

“I wish we could stay, says Madill. “We don’t know my husband’s official orders yet, but we will be moving sometime soon.”

But just as the digital world has kept her tethered to her studies at Macomb, it also provides a welcomed constant in her movable life.

“No matter where I live,” she offers, “I can always go home.”

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As paths go, it was a “winding” one that led David McCallum back to Macomb after his first unsuccessful try following post high school-receipt of a G.E.D. The second time around, however, he has earned certificates in Manufacturing Essentials and CATIA, computer aided design (CAD) and manufacturing software, and will complete his associate degree in mathematics in May with a 3.96 grade point average.

“I have experienced that a life after addiction is possible,” says McCallum, who is marking the fourth year in recovery after being addicted to alcohol and prescribed opioids since high school. “The reality of substance abuse is that it is a treatable disease, not a moral failing. I believe supporting people in recovery is not helping bad people become good, but helping sick people get better.”

His own recovery led him to Macomb’s M-TEC, which offers short-term Workforce and Continuing Education training. From there, McCallum was hired by Custom Biogenic Systems, where he uses his CAD knowledge to assist in the design of climate-sensitive containers used by scientific and research laboratories.

“My completion of the certificate program at M-TEC qualified me for an entry-level engineering role as a CAD technician,” relates McCallum. “My employer provided tuition assistance and encouraged me to seek a degree program at Macomb that would lead to a mechanical engineering path.”

That path led McCallum to Oakland University (OU), where he is the first recipient of its Frontline Workers Scholarship, receiving a Presidential Transfer Award as well.

“With the scholarships I have been awarded, in addition to my employer’s help,” says McCallum, “I have an amazing opportunity to continue my education at OU debt free.”

McCallum appreciates that his math professors “have been very thorough and created an atmosphere for me to succeed.” He calls out Dave Friday, his calculus professor, and Leanna Allvin, Special Services counselor, for also making his experience at Macomb a positive one.   Since the college shutdown, all of McCallum’s classes have been online. And while he feared online learning might make his life difficult, with the help of tutors, he found the opposite true instead.

“I am glad that so many virtual classes are offered online,” he says. “The flexibility has made it easier for me to work full-time while continuing my education.”

McCallum’s path straightened at Custom Biogenic Systems, where he hopes to obtain an engineering position once he completes his bachelor’s degree. And he appreciates the guideposts provided by education, exercise, meditation and reading that helped get him there.

“With completion of my associate degree in sight, along with a transfer plan at OU,” says McCallum, “I have the foundation for a career path I am really looking forward to.”   

Samuel Williams began exploring his career options in high school. The 2020 Center Line High School graduate took graphic design and art classes, was a member of the Robotics Club and attended a Summer Career Academy in Information Technology (IT) at Macomb. Winning the design contest for his high school’s 2020 yearbook, however, made his pathway clear.

“Making ideas into reality out of nothing is what excites me,” says Williams.

A student in Macomb’s Media and Communication Arts 3D Animation program, Williams is looking forward to giving depth to his two-dimensional drawings and watching them come alive in a digital environment. He had hoped for on-campus instruction but says he is adapting well to online classes.

“I never thought I would be attending college on Zoom,” he admits. “However, I really like it.  My professors and classmates make it more enjoyable.”

Williams is all too familiar with how the pandemic has disrupted education, but his family has consistently been there with moral support, and then some. When his high school commencement was cancelled because of COVID, his parents and brothers went all out to gift him with a ceremony to remember. They built a stage on their front lawn, which their youngest son helped construct unaware that he would soon walk across it. Rising above the stage was the traditional proscenium arch painted in his high school’s colors of orange and black. Pomp and Circumstance played in the background as Williams accepted his diploma from his father.

“I really appreciated what they did,” Williams told the Macomb Daily, which covered the ceremony in June. “I am very grateful.”    

By the time of that DIY-commencement, Williams had decided to enroll in Macomb’s MACA program since South Campus was close to home and he had already visited it on “multiple field trips.” One of those field trips was to attend a Discover Macomb event (which will be held virtually over six sessions this year: March 16 – April 1) with his brother when Williams was junior.

“That really did it for me,” he says.

Similarly, his MACA classes are affirming his career choice.

“I believe media and communication arts is the wave of the future, and it can help in other industries – music production, sound engineering, TV, film, and editing and design,” relates Williams. “Once I graduate with my degree, I plan on pursuing a position producing animated shorts or in game design.”