“I went to another college for a year but had to take film theory and journalism before I could take the (Media and Communication Arts) classes that I wanted.  I liked that I could just jump into it at Macomb. And it’s been awesome.  We have access to real cool equipment and Yosy (Marquez, his instructor) allows creativity to grow.  Macomb seems to take pride in their art students and that is super refreshing.”

Robert, 20, whose father is a Hollywood stuntman, and his friend Jeremy Howell, (both shown here on their first red carpet moment – Rob is on the right) took first place in the 89-Hour Film Festival sponsored by radio station 89X. The contest asked amateur filmmakers to create a six- to eight-minute “mockumentary” in 89 hours. The pair received $2,500 for their first place entry, but the bigger thrill was seeing Mystic Hunt, a parody of Ghost Adventures, on screen at the MJR Theatre in Troy. Rob intends to continue his studies at the Motion Picture Institute in Troy and the American Film Institute in San Diego. “I’m minoring in advertising as a fall back,” he says, “but, ideally, I want to be a film director.”  See his award-winning work at:   http://www.frequency.com/video/89x-89-hour-film-festival-lbtmovies/253956427?cid=5-18734.

“I found Macomb to be the school that fits me best.  There is the performing arts center, the cultural center and the University Center where I can earn my bachelor’s degree. And with my work study job, it’s been well worth it for me to attend Macomb. It’s a great environment, a great education and a great experience. There’s just more opportunities at Macomb.”

Trayvon Alexander graduated from Detroit’s Southeastern High School and is pursuing an Associate Degree in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship and a Certificate in Music Performance – Percussion. In addition to the drums, he also plays piano and guitar and hopes to open his own music school one day.  You can catch Trayvon on the drums every Sunday at Silver Star Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit

“One of the things I really enjoy about Macomb is the proximity I have to Center campus. I live right here at 19 Mile Road and Schoenherr, so I’m able to commute to school as well as maintain a full-time job where I’ve been able to advance. It really provides me that dual experience of the work environment.”

After graduating from Utica Henry Ford II High School, Doug Marlow’s counselors at Macomb have helped him pursue a general business major and make plans to transfer to a four-year university. He enjoys working on cars and motorcycles and said that he feels like he’s “planting the seedlings for the rest of my career here.”

“When I graduated high school, I was a super quiet person. I didn’t want to go to a university – living in a dorm with someone would have been a nightmare for me. Even when I first started here, I was super reserved, but over the last two years I’ve really opened up. It’s pretty awesome.”

Detroit native Robert Berry attended Cass Tech High School, where he often found himself in a classroom with 40 other students. Now Macomb offers the business major classes which are usually half that size and where professors call him by name. That’s helped him come out of his shell and become the Student Life and Leadership Event Coordinator, the Fundraising Coordinator of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and President of the Study Abroad student organization. He also just helped start a classic card game club and is part of a group planning the inaugural Macomb-A-Con event on April 1.

“The more time I spent on campus, the more I wanted to do. At first I thought I would just show up, go to class and be done, but my first semester changed that. I’m so glad I did so much more. I was given an opportunity to go back to school, and I wasn’t going to waste it.”

After 26 years working in the banking industry, Katie Williams-Campbell found herself laid off in 2013. With two children at home, she knew that if she went back to school for a new career, it had to be close and affordable, but she didn’t know Macomb would deliver those benefits plus so many opportunities to connect socially. Katie became a member of the Student Organization of Medical Assistants, an active participant in the Macomb Mulitcultural International Initiatives, and a tour guide for incoming students. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in December and now works as a clinical service representative at Henry Ford Hospital and as a certified medical assistant in Shelby Township. Her daughter, Lauren, works at Macomb’s Reading & Writing Studios.

“I chose Macomb because it is well known for its Veterinary Technician Program, rated the top program nationwide.  I also didn’t want to worry about transferring credits from college to college.  My experience at Macomb has been amazing!  They really take care of their students.  They are top notch in customer service and treat you with respect every time you come onto campus.  I am so thankful and proud to be a Macomb student.”

Chris Reynolds, a graduate of Lapeer High School, is attending Macomb as an “affiliate” student, which means he receives a reduced tuition rate as a non-county resident because he lives in a community that is not located within a community college district.  He is also, big surprise, “a lifelong animal lover,” and recently adopted dogs, Mya and Oreo, from the program.  Here he  is shown with Quiz, the vet tech students’ mascot.

“I think Macomb is a very open-minded school.  There are so many opportunities to learn about the community and about different cultures.   Through the Macomb Multicultural International Initiatives events, I’m learning to embrace other countries around the world.  And my work-study job (in the College’s Graphics and Publications Department) is like an internship, it’s helping me prepare for the real world.  I’m very thankful to Macomb for getting me in touch with things I’m passionate about, and Career Services is helping me with my career planning.”

Lance Hang, who attended Wayne State University for a year before coming to Macomb because, “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.” He will graduate with an Associate Degree in General Studies in 2016 and intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications or marketing and later enter law school to earn his juris doctorate.