Commencement

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Sat, 04/26/2025 - 17:47

51视频-Dearborn awarded 1,074 degrees during three commencement ceremonies on April 26.

51视频-Dearborn's newest graduates celebrated at the April 26 commencement ceremonies. Photos by Matthew Stephens/Michigan Photography

Class of Spring 2025: Fatmah Saleh

stuxbury — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:17:04 +0000

Class of Spring 2025: Fatmah Saleh stuxbury Wed, 04/23/2025 - 10:17

Fatmah Saleh, a College of Business student, interacts with global corporation leaders as an executive board member for 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 chapter of the Financial Management Association. She has completed internships with automotive suppliers like Yazaki North America and Stellantis. And, immediately after her Spring 2025 graduation, she鈥檒l start a position as an international accounting analyst with Stellantis.

Saleh also has a SAP business platform certification, a good GPA and is a familiar face among business students. While talking with Reporter in the Renick University Center recently, students waved to her as they walked by. Saleh's upbeat demeanor is a good complement to her dedication to the field of business 鈥� her email signature even has a quote from entrepreneur Mark Cuban. It reads, 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once.鈥�

Saleh 鈥� who first saw Cuban on the show 鈥淪hark Tank鈥� 鈥� explains that the quote resonates with her. Behind the scenes everyone struggles, but success is when someone keeps trying, perseveres and eventually gets it right. People wouldn鈥檛 know it when meeting her, but Saleh has experienced many challenges in her 23 years.

Her father passed away when she was six. She鈥檚 worked full time since her high school graduation to help support her mom, who has a long-term illness. And Saleh is her mom鈥檚 caregiver. 鈥淔amily means everything to me. I wanted to go to college, but wasn鈥檛 even sure I should because I wanted to be there for her. My mom and my older brother encouraged me to enroll. That was very important to my mom,鈥� says Saleh, noting that her brother 鈥� who is 18 years older 鈥� secured a home as a young adult and moved the family into it after their dad passed away. 鈥淗er doctor wanted her to have surgery this month, but she told him that it needed to wait until after my graduation. She scheduled her surgery to happen four days after I graduate. That鈥檚 how important that day is to her.鈥�

Fatmah Saleh's father, mother and brother are pictured with a young Saleh, circa 2003.

On top of these challenges, she鈥檚 gone through life with a stutter in her speech. Talking with Saleh, it isn鈥檛 noticeable. But growing up with a speech disorder has impacted her. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something I鈥檝e battled with for as long as I can remember. If I鈥檓 being honest, it鈥檚 the one thing that鈥檚 made me question my potential the most. Every interview, every meeting, every classroom presentation, I used to wonder: 鈥榃hat if I mess up? What if they don鈥檛 take me seriously because of the way I speak?鈥� That fear was real,鈥� Saleh says. 鈥淏ut it never stopped me.鈥�

Acknowledging it as a part of her identity, Saleh looked at ways she could minimize her stutter鈥檚 negative effect. She joined the College of Business鈥� student organization FMA, where she often gives Introductions at events or meetings. Realizing that her stutter is more prominent when she is nervous, she builds in time to adequately prepare for presentations. She attends 51视频-Dearborn career fairs regularly to gain confidence when interacting with potential employers. And she鈥檚 honest about her challenges when she has interview opportunities.

When she had an interview with Yazaki for a student analyst position 鈥� a role she heard about at a 51视频-Dearborn career fair 鈥� Saleh was taking a full-time course load while working at an accounting office. She scheduled the Zoom interview between work and class time. 鈥淚 had to do the interview in my car because of my schedule. I was worried that I wouldn鈥檛 get the position because I was obviously in my car. I was honest when the interviewer asked about it,鈥� says Saleh, who also mentioned her stutter near the beginning of the interview. 鈥淚nstead of it being seen as a negative, they felt it showed them that I was very determined because I'm not going to allow anything to stop me. I got the job.鈥�

That year-long experience in the automotive supplier field led to an internship at Stellantis as a student analyst. The Stellantis role was especially important to Saleh because her father once worked for the corporation as a production employee. 鈥淚 remember going with my dad to work and how much I liked being there with him,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t is a memory that stayed with me. Now I work for the same company. To me, it is a sign that God is looking out for me and my dad is too.鈥�

She says the past year with Stellantis also reminded her that her challenges will not detour her. 鈥淚t was more than just a professional opportunity. It was personal. I walked into a global company with a lot of self-doubt, but what I found was support, encouragement and proof that I belonged. I wasn鈥檛 just 鈥榯he girl with the speech issue.鈥� I was a valuable part of a team,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 contributed. I grew. I found my confidence.鈥�

She credits 51视频-Dearborn staff and faculty with moving her toward her goals too. A first-generation college student, Saleh, says COB Advisor Lori Ormsby guided her through finding the right classes that fit with her busy work and home life. She says COB faculty have also been supportive of her pursuing the Certified Public Accountant designation after graduation and have provided her with study resources.

Feeling a strong level of support in her life, she says she pays it forward and provides the same for her friends and classmates. She listens to their concerns, helps tailor their resumes and links peers to opportunities. Through her time in FMA, she鈥檚 made strong connections at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and more. 鈥淚 learn about job opportunities. If I know someone who would be a good fit, I鈥檒l help connect them. For example, I recently helped someone land a supply chain rotational program position at Ford,鈥� she says.

Once again quoting Mark Cuban, 鈥渟weat equity is the most valuable equity there is.鈥� Approaching graduation, Saleh has put in her sweat equity 鈥� and it鈥檚 paid off dividends. 鈥淚 have good friends. I have a life where I have a job at a company I care about. And I鈥檒l be able to work hybrid, so I鈥檒l have the opportunity to be home with my mom, too,鈥� she says. 鈥淥thers believed in me, believed I could do it even with everything happening in my life. I am thankful for them. I now believe in myself.鈥�

Saleh is dedicating her graduation to her mother, brother and family. She says they always showed up for her and their selfless actions taught her a valuable life lesson about being present. Her advice to those who are struggling? Keep showing up.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned that success isn鈥檛 always loud. It鈥檚 not always obvious,鈥� Saleh says. 鈥淪ometimes, success is quiet resilience. It鈥檚 choosing to speak up when it鈥檚 hard. It鈥檚 pushing past fear when no one sees the battle you鈥檙e fighting. It鈥檚 choosing growth over perfection. When I graduate this month, that鈥檚 a lesson I will be taking with me. You don鈥檛 need perfect grades or perfect speech to build a powerful future. You just need to keep showing up.鈥�

Story by Sarah Tuxbury

Off

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:16

College of Business grad Fatmah Saleh is graduating with a full-time job at a Fortune 500 company. But she is most proud of how she persevered at 51视频-Dearborn.

Class of Spring 2025 graduate Fatmah Saleh says the key to overcoming challenges is to keep showing up. Photo by Sarah Tuxbury

Class of Spring 2025: CECS graduate Mahendra Kakad

lblouin — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:12:37 +0000

Class of Spring 2025: CECS graduate Mahendra Kakad lblouin Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:12

Back in his home country of India, 51视频-Dearborn graduate student Mahendra Kakad already had a good life and a good job. He actually already had a master鈥檚 degree and had been working in the automotive industry for eight years as a design engineer, including with a startup that was building electric mopeds as a way to put EVs within reach for more consumers. But a few years ago, Kakad, who describes himself as an 鈥渁spirational, self-motivated person,鈥� started to think more strategically about what he wanted the next stage of his career to look like. If he ever wanted to make a bigger impact on a company, say, as a chief technical officer, he knew he鈥檇 likely need to complement his advanced technical skills with managerial ones. With two teachers for parents, he says he鈥檚 always loved education. And when he learned about the engineering management master鈥檚 program at 51视频-Dearborn, which was located in the heart of one of the world鈥檚 biggest automotive centers, he thought it was a good bet to help him take that next step.

Engineers have a reputation for being super analytical thinkers, and Kakad definitely used that mindset to shape his new life in the United States. From the outset, he sought out advice from his fellow students who were in the second year of the program to get a sense of what he needed to do to be successful. One of their first recommendations was to get involved in as many things as possible outside of his studies. So he joined student government; he connected with the vibrant Indian Graduate Student Association; he lent his expertise to MASA, the student rocketry team. 鈥淚 was on campus almost all the time 鈥� even Saturdays and Sundays,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he only time I was really at my apartment was when I was sleeping and eating dinner.鈥� His on-campus presence helped him check another box on his wishlist: getting an on-campus job. One day, at an event, he bumped into John Cristiano, the College of Engineering and Computer Science assistant dean for research development and strategic initiatives, who remarked that Kakad seemed to be 鈥渆verywhere.鈥� Kakad mentioned that he wanted to work on campus in order to gain some experience, and Cristiano and CECS Dean Ghassan Kridli scooped him up, creating a program assistant position to help him manage corporate relations. 鈥淭he system is very different in India. So I sort of saw the job as 鈥榢indergarten鈥� for me. I could help support myself financially and also get to know what the work culture is like in the United States,鈥� Kakad says.

At this point, Kakad was still just a few months into his studies, but he was already preparing for a future job search. As an international student, he wasn鈥檛 authorized to work off campus, even at an internship, until he鈥檇 completed 18 credits, something that was still more than six months away. He started working with a recruiter, noting on his resume when he鈥檇 be work-eligible, but he generally found employers weren鈥檛 planning that far ahead. So, after getting some advice from his classmates and the staff at Career Services, he used the time to continue tweaking his resume to fit American norms. With his years of experience in industry, Kakad thought he鈥檇 be an attractive candidate and set himself what seemed like a reasonable goal: get an internship offer by January 2024. But he saw that target come and go, even as students younger and less experienced than him were lining up their internships. It was disappointing, but like a good engineer, he saw the lack of response as motivation to retool his resume.

One day when he was feeling particularly frustrated, he went to the Tesla website and directly applied for 鈥�15 or 20 jobs.鈥� In early February 2024, he finally got a bite. Interestingly, it wasn鈥檛 for any of the positions he'd applied for, but a hiring manager had seen his resume in the system and reached out directly to ask him about his interest in another job. He spent the next few days methodically prepping for the half-hour interview. He created a Google doc mapping all the key features of the job description onto his own skill set. He got on LinkedIn and learned as much as he could about the hiring manager. He called a couple of his old colleagues back in India to get their advice. The interview went well, and a couple hours later, he got an email stating he鈥檇 made it to the next round of interviews. In a few more days, he finally had an offer.

The internship at Tesla was a technical engineering position, similar to the work he鈥檇 been doing back in India. But he says it was a great introduction to how an American workplace functions. Americans are often characterized (in contrast with Europeans, presumably) as workaholics who sometimes don鈥檛 even exhaust the often meager amount of vacation time their jobs allow. But Kakad says Americans have nothing on people in many Asian countries. In his former position, seven-day work weeks were the expectation and it was hard to ever really turn work off. 鈥淔or example, in my previous roles, if you鈥檙e given an assignment, your manager might come up to you and ask, 鈥楬ave you mailed that guy?鈥� And if you say 鈥榶es鈥� 鈥� 鈥楬ave you called that guy?鈥� If you say 鈥榶es鈥� 鈥� 鈥楬ave you messaged that guy?鈥� If you say 鈥榶es鈥� 鈥� 鈥楬ave you met that guy?鈥欌€� Kakad says, laughing. Here in the U.S., he was happy to see that people generally took weekends off and that managers gave their employees more agency. Even at Tesla, where he says they 鈥渟tretch a little bit,鈥� any weekend work is lower-key, and you definitely shouldn鈥檛 be bombarding your colleagues with emails and phone calls.

The internship at Tesla went very well. Kakad was the only one in his group who got to travel internationally, and he visited nearly all the Tesla manufacturing facilities in the United States. As it wound down, he started applying for full-time positions within the company. This time, the job search was decidedly less bumpy. 鈥淚 remember it was Feb. 6 last year that I got the interview call from Tesla for my internship and Feb. 6 this year that I got the offer for my full-time job,鈥� he says. Better still, this new position is more in line with what he was hoping going back to school would lead to. Rather than working as a design engineer, he鈥檒l be working more on the manufacturing side as a supplier industrialization engineer, helping coordinate the production and ensure the quality of components as they pass from the design phase through a complex manufacturing process. He credits his 51视频-Dearborn professors 鈥� particularly Professors Shan Bao and Onur Ulgen and lecturers Roger Klungle and Faisal Khalaf 鈥� with preparing him for this new role in which knowledge of quality control processes and systems engineering will be crucial. 鈥淭he quality of the instructors we have at 51视频-Dearborn is really next-scale,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey are working with big companies. They are working with the Department of Defense. And they have years of experience in industry and academia. So it鈥檚 been a privilege to get to know them and learn from them.鈥�

Kakad is definitely looking forward to this next chapter, which will involve a move to California. Through the post-completion Optional Practical Training portion of his student visa, which includes a STEM extension, he currently has work authorization through 2028. And he recently got more good news: The application for his H-1B visa, which would allow him to extend his stay in the United States even further, was recently selected in the government鈥檚 lottery process and should be active in 2026. But he鈥檚 also a little sad to be leaving Dearborn. 鈥淲hen you come to the United States from another country, I think the state where you end up sort of becomes your home away from home,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 really like Michigan. I鈥檓 a nature lover. And I鈥檝e made so many friends here. I鈥檒l miss those days where you鈥檙e on campus and you just bump into a professor and have a nice conversation. But my journey at Tesla has also been very good, and as I look ahead, I carry both the values I brought from home and the experiences I鈥檝e gained here. I鈥檓 excited to contribute at the intersection of engineering and leadership.鈥�

###

Story by Lou Blouin

Careers or Internships

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Off

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 13:12

The spring master鈥檚 graduate used an engineer鈥檚 mindset to navigate a tricky job market and land a job at Tesla.

Photo by Annie Barker

Class of Spring 2025: CEHHS graduate Marjani Abdur-Rahman

lblouin — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:41:21 +0000

Class of Spring 2025: CEHHS graduate Marjani Abdur-Rahman lblouin Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:41

Growing up, there was never much doubt that Marjani Abdur-Rahman would go to college. In fact, in high school, she dreamed, probably in more detail than most students, about what that experience would look like. Her mom, a social worker who graduated from Michigan State University, was her academic and professional role model, which is why Abdur-Rahman planned to major in clinical psychology. And she was excited to soak up many of the other quintessential parts of college life: living in the dorms, joining a sorority and partying on the weekends with her friends.

Abdur-Rahman enrolled at 51视频-Flint in 2008 and got off to a fast start. She took advantage of the fact that the university had just built on-campus housing and moved into the dorms. She declared a major in clinical psychology and a minor in Spanish. She also threw her energy into numerous student organizations 鈥� including lobbying successfully to charter a new chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, a historically Black sorority, on the Flint campus. She was also intent on not taking on more debt than necessary, so she balanced a full-time course load with several part-time jobs: one at the university restaurant, another as an assistant manager at rue21 in the local mall, and a third working the night shift at a Speedway convenience store.

The night of Dec. 9, 2012, though, abruptly brought an end to that busy, but hopeful rhythm of life. Abdur-Rahman was out with her friend when they ran into the friend's ex-boyfriend. While they were at the club, Abdur-Rahman got into a heated argument with him over the man鈥檚 past treatment of her friend. Emotions were running high. Everyone had been drinking. At one point, Abdur-Rahman says she tried to get her friend to leave with her, but her friend wanted to see if she could smooth things over. The argument then escalated further, with the man threatening to pull a gun on Abdur-Rahman, at which point she went back to her car and retrieved a small knife from her glove compartment. She says she had no intention of using it; she thought it might get him to back down. But the argument intensified, the two yelling at each other until it reached an unimaginable moment: 鈥淟ike a reflex,鈥� Abdur-Rahman stabbed him once in the chest. After it happened, she didn鈥檛 think he was seriously injured, and she and her friend left in their car. But Abdur-Rahman learned later that he had died in the hospital. She was eventually arrested and charged with open murder, a crime carrying a potential life sentence. She ultimately agreed to a plea that reduced the charge to manslaughter, with a sentence of seven and a half to 15 years. In December 2013, after being held for 10 months at the Genesee County Jail, she began serving her sentence at Women鈥檚 Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan鈥檚 only women鈥檚 prison.

She says the first two years of being incarcerated were the most difficult. She describes herself as a 鈥渂ubbly, fun-loving person,鈥� but prison wasn鈥檛 a place where you could show that kind of emotion. Personal contact between people, for example, was prohibited. One day, upon seeing a friend who she knew was going through a difficult time, Abdur-Rahman reflexively reached out and embraced her 鈥� only to get sanctioned for sexual misconduct. And, of course, there was a hurricane of emotions to deal with: The guilt that came from being responsible for taking another person鈥檚 life. The nagging thoughts that if she hadn鈥檛 been drinking or hadn鈥檛 had a knife in her car that night, none of this would be happening. The fear of not knowing what the rest of her life would bring once she got out.

Even within that setting, Abdur-Rahman eventually found a rhythm. As she did when she was a college student, she participated in lots of clubs and activities in the prison. She practiced yoga and did strength and conditioning classes. She facilitated AA meetings and sang in the church choir. Through these activities, she says she developed a lot more compassion for people. 鈥淚 used to be a very judgemental person, particularly with people who had substance abuse issues. I just thought, 鈥榃hy don鈥檛 you stop? Why are you doing that to yourself?鈥欌€� she says. 鈥淏ut after housing with a lot of women who had those issues, and speaking with them through AA and NA, I realized we had a lot in common, a lot of the same trauma. Sexual child abuse, divorced parents, abusive relationships. The only difference between me and these women is the way we coped.鈥� She also met women who didn鈥檛 fit any of the common stereotypes of incarcerated people. People who didn鈥檛 have previous criminal records, histories of violence or challenges with addiction. People who she thought of as 鈥済ood people,鈥� who, like her, had made 鈥渙ne big mistake.鈥�

At a certain point, Abdur-Rahman also started to regain some of the hope she once had for her future. She understood that it was going to be 鈥渄amn near impossible to be a felon and be a psychologist,鈥� but she started to think about adjacent careers, particularly in social work. While in prison, she met many inspiring, compassionate social workers. One woman even shared with her that she was also a felon and later got her degree. Later, when she saw that 51视频-Dearborn was offering free college classes in the prison and one of them was an introductory social work course, she didn鈥檛 hesitate to sign up. There, she learned just how broad the social work field was. She could be a therapist. A case worker. Someone who worked with people with addiction issues. There were even social workers who specialized in working with formerly incarcerated people. Some time after that, she saw a flyer for 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 SOAR program, which provides an array of support services and scholarships for adult learners and returning students who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree. It all started giving her a feeling that her deferred college dreams maybe weren't out of reach.

When she was released on parole in June 2021, her initial hope was to return to 51视频-Flint, which was much closer to her home in Saginaw. But when that didn鈥檛 work out, she immediately thought of 51视频-Dearborn. She felt 鈥渆cstatic鈥� the day she got the acceptance letter from the university, calculating that she could finish up in just a couple of years. But heading back to college after a 10-year break posed certain challenges. 鈥淲hen I got arrested, we were on iPhone 4. When I got out, it was iPhone 14,鈥� she says, adding that the tech learning curve was a bit steep. In prison, even in college classes, she could only use pen and paper. Now, students lived attached to their laptops and tracked assignments, grades and discussion groups via online learning management systems. You could even take most of your classes virtually if you wanted to. Being in a college classroom was also a bit of a culture shock. 鈥淚 went from taking college classes where everyone鈥檚 in their prison garb and all you have is your pencil and paper. And, now, here I am in a classroom wearing normal clothes with a bunch of normal people. You know no one鈥檚 psychic. But you still sort of have that paranoia, like, do these people know? Can they tell? Would anyone take the time to Google me?鈥�

At first, Abdur-Rahman says she didn鈥檛 tell anybody anything about her past. But gradually, over time, she got more comfortable talking about her experience. She credits a lot of that to her involvement in the Prison Creative Arts Project, a long-running U-M program that brings creative arts workshops into prisons. When she got out, she stayed involved with PCAP鈥檚 Linkage Community for returning citizens. She jokes that both programs have kind of made her a poster child. 鈥淚鈥檓 all over the website,鈥� she says, noting that it鈥檚 difficult to put yourself out there like that and not end up talking about your story, at least certain parts of it. Last semester, she really stepped out of her comfort zone. The instructor of her Vulnerable Populations course, Assistant Professor of Health and Human Services Vitalis Im, who鈥檚 been working with the PCAP program for years, asked whether she鈥檇 be interested in doing a class presentation on her prison experience and some of the challenges of her post-prison life. 鈥淚 was really scared to do that. I didn鈥檛 want any of my peers to look at me differently, to change their whole mindset of me. I don鈥檛 want to toot my own horn, but I think people see me as a likeable, friendly person, and I didn鈥檛 want those qualities to be overlooked after sharing my story,鈥� she says. But Abdur-Rahman says sort of the opposite happened. Afterward, she got several comments from her fellow students, basically sharing their admiration for her ability to stay so positive. And she says it鈥檚 still hard to talk about what Im鈥檚 respect and validation has meant to her without tearing up. 鈥淗e鈥檚 somebody who鈥檚 only recently become part of my journey, who鈥檚 rooting for me, and wants me to succeed and has my best interests at heart,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e knows I鈥檓 a good person that just made a bad decision.鈥�

As Abdur-Rahman approaches her graduation, she says she鈥檚 filled with a mix of emotions. On the one hand, she鈥檚 obviously feeling a huge sense of accomplishment and is excited to share the moment with all the people who鈥檝e stuck by her. On the other hand, she鈥檚 worried about the very real possibility that her past could still get in the way of her dreams for her future. She frequently gets some reminder of that. Right now, she鈥檚 living with her mom in Saginaw, which she鈥檚 doing, in part, because her mom has some health problems. But now that she鈥檚 finishing her degree, she鈥檇 love to get her own apartment, maybe move to a new city. She knows, however, that she鈥檒l probably have to find a place that doesn鈥檛 require a background check. And just recently, while working at one of her jobs, a sales floor position at a national chain store, her manager asked if she could chat with her in the office. The manager explained that her background check had been flagged and that a woman on the phone from the company鈥檚 HR department wanted to ask her some questions about the events of Dec. 9, 2012. Put on the spot at work, Abdur-Rahman took the phone and calmly explained what had happened, as well as all the things she has been doing with her life since. She also noted that if the job application had asked about criminal history, which she says it did not, she would have volunteered that information. After the phone call, she then turned to her manager, who had heard the conversation, and expressed that she hoped that she didn鈥檛 think differently of her now. The manager responded that she did not, and reiterated what an excellent worker she was and that if it was up to her, she'd be happy to send Abdur-Rahman right back to work. Nonetheless, she was going to be suspended pending a decision from HR, though she ultimately got to keep her job. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just sort of my reality now,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 feel like no matter how hard I try, it鈥檚 two steps forward, and then five steps back. It鈥檚 hard not to get discouraged, but I鈥檓 trying to stay positive.鈥�

Going forward, Abdur-Rahman still very much desires to have what she calls a 鈥渂ig girl job,鈥� which she defines as 鈥渁 job of substance with good pay and a 9 to 5.鈥� Ideally, she wants to find a position where she can help people with substance abuse issues. But she also anticipates it will be hard for many employers 鈥� even those in the social work field 鈥� to look beyond her past, especially if they have other talented candidates they could hire. She also knows she鈥檒l likely need to continue her education. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in the field doesn鈥檛 take you as far as it used to, which is why she鈥檚 applied to 51视频-Ann Arbor鈥檚 master of social work program. She recently received news that she鈥檚 been put on an alternates list. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 not a 鈥榥o鈥� and not a 鈥榶es,鈥欌€� she says. She should know in a couple months whether she got in. Some parts of her life are still a waiting game.

###

Story by Lou Blouin

Health and Human Services

Off

Mon, 04/14/2025 - 14:41

As she approaches a milestone that once seemed out of reach, the health and human services major is trying to not let the worst mistake of her life define the rest of it.

Photo by Annie Barker

Meet the Spring 2025 CECS and CEHHS Medallion winners

lblouin — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:45:24 +0000

Meet the Spring 2025 CECS and CEHHS Medallion winners lblouin Mon, 04/07/2025 - 08:45

This year鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Medallion winners from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Education, Health and Human Services are an inspiring bunch 鈥� with stories about everything from participating in advanced biomedical research to conquering the unique challenges of returning to college in your 30s as a single parent.

The award recognizing students' academic achievements, leadership and contributions to the community is given to three students in each college, with one student receiving the Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion, the university鈥檚 top student honor. Here are the Spring 2025 Medallion winners from CECS and CEHHS. You can also meet the awardees from the College of Business and College of Arts, Sciences and Letters, including this year鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion winner.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Shams Fatma Ahson

Degree: Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity and information assurance (cybersecurity and privacy concentration), minor in law and society; certificate in practical aspects of computer security (2024)

Awards, Honors and Distinction: 51视频-Dearborn Difference Maker (2024); James B. Angell Scholar (2023, 2024); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize; Dean鈥檚 List (F21-F24); University Honors (F21-F24), Honors Scholar (2025)

Scholarships: Alan Mulally Leadership in Engineering Scholarship (2023)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Shams has excelled through high-impact academic and professional experiences in cybersecurity, demonstrating technical expertise, leadership and innovation. Shams鈥� outstanding leadership was recognized with the 2023 Alan Mulally Leadership in Engineering Scholarship, a competitive award honoring students worldwide for exceptional leadership in academic or community settings. Shams conducted research in the Information Systems, Security and Forensics Lab under the supervision of Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Hafiz Malik. She played a pivotal role in implementing an automotive ethernet testbench featuring simulated electronic control units. Shams also led the CanQuest capstone project, where her team developed a mixed-reality cybersecurity game to educate engineers on protecting CAN bus communication. Shams served as a supplemental instruction leader beginning in January 2022, supporting her peers and reinforcing her own mastery of complex cybersecurity concepts. Shams has also been a cybersecurity testing intern at ETAS since May 2023 and served as a product cybersecurity intern at Bosch from May 2022 to May 2023.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Google Developer Student Club (president); Women in Cybersecurity (chapter president); co-led CECS鈥� 2025 Engineering Week

As president of the Google Developer Student Club, Shams helped secure over $100,000 in funding for campus hackathons attended by students across Michigan, the Midwest and Canada. As co-lead of Engineering Week, she helped launch several innovative initiatives, including two new engineering games. In Chefgineering, student organizations formed teams to build a common solution using mystery 鈥渋ngredients.鈥� In the Engineering Escape Room, teams tackled a series of puzzles, such as decoding Morse code signals and reverse-engineering a Caesar cipher, to unlock the key and 鈥渆scape鈥� the room. 鈥淪hams is an expert organizer and an inspirational leader. She is quick to volunteer for community outreach activities, especially those that help make STEAM more accessible to younger students,鈥� observed Professor of Computer and Information Science Bruce Maxim.

Future Plans: Shams鈥� ultimate career goal is not just to be a CEO within the cybersecurity industry, but to be a great leader who reflects the values, ambitions and spirit of her community.

Hawraa Ismail

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering in computer engineering

Awards, Honors and Distinction: Dean鈥檚 Honors List at the Lebanese International University, Lebanon (F22); 51视频-Dearborn Honors Scholar (2023)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Hawraa has actively contributed to projects spanning safety, technology and education throughout her college years. Such experiences have allowed Hawraa to develop innovative solutions, mentor emerging talent and give back to the community. In her two-semester capstone project, Hawraa led the development of an accident alert system that detects risky driving behaviors and delivers real-time alerts. By integrating multiple sensors with advanced artificial intelligence models, this system significantly enhances driver safety. In the Embedded Systems course, Hawraa engineered a GPS-based speed limit warning system that notifies drivers when they exceed limits in designated zones, further demonstrating her passion for technology-driven safety innovations.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Peer tutor at the Engineering Learning Center; Michigan Aeronautical Science Association hardware and avionics team member; Eternal Light Organization volunteer

In her role as a peer tutor, Hawraa assisted students with programming, circuit design and problem-solving, boosting their confidence in challenging engineering subjects. 鈥淗awraa has jumped in with both feet to support our students. Hawraa needs no supervision as she is a self-starter and wants to assist where she can. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the electrical and computer engineering course material and you can hear her passion in her voice,鈥� observed Elizabeth Edenstrom, assistant director of the ELC. With MASA, Hawraa helped develop flight telemetry system software. Her contributions included creating a real-time data monitoring dashboard that automates flight operations and streamlines data processing. Hawraa also served as a student staff member at the university鈥檚 Early Childhood Education Center, where she supported classroom activities and helped craft engaging learning experiences for young children.

Future Plans: Hawraa plans to leverage her expertise in embedded systems and artificial intelligence safety applications to develop smart systems that enhance community welfare and drive technological innovation. She envisions pursuing industry roles in embedded security, earning relevant certifications and advancing her graduate studies to further specialize in this field. Ultimately, Hawraa aims to earn a PhD and become a professor, using her experience as a peer tutor at the ELC to inspire and empower students. Her commitment to giving back stems from her gratitude toward 51视频-Dearborn, an institution that has profoundly shaped her journey and one that she hopes others will also experience.

Nicole Kormos

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering in bioengineering

Awards, Honors and Distinction: Dean鈥檚 List (F21-F24); William J. Branstrom Prize; James B. Angell Scholar (2023); University Honors (F21-W23, W24); Honors Scholar (2024) Scholarships: Chancellor鈥檚 Scholarship; Honors Scholarship; James and Jeraldine Poe Research Assistantship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Nicole鈥檚 academic excellence drive extends beyond the classroom. During her studies, Nicole actively pursued a series of research projects, all aimed at understanding the male predominance observed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Her research focuses on investigating sex-based differences in the mechanical responses of pulmonary fibroblasts 鈥� a challenging endeavor that has led her to achieve significant new results while mastering advanced techniques such as cell culture, qPCR, cell staining and imaging. What began as a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience project at 51视频-Dearborn following her junior year evolved into an ongoing project supported by the James and Jeraldine Poe Research Assistantship during her senior year. Nicole presented her findings as a poster at both the SURE Showcase and the Biomedical Engineering Society Research Symposium, where her project earned second place. Her promising results are slated for submission for publication at the end of the Winter 2025 semester. 鈥淣icole is an exceptional student whose dedication and work ethic set her apart. As an undergraduate researcher, she not only excels in her own experiments but also goes above and beyond to support and train others, demonstrating leadership beyond her years. She is truly a rock star in every sense, and her future in research is incredibly bright,鈥� observed Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Caymen Novak. Besides her commitment to advancing bioengineering research, Nicole served as a lab assistant for the Biosensors and Instrumentation course, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing research and her field.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Society of Women Engineers; Biomedical Engineering Society; Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society, Michigan Iota chapter (vice president, media coordinator)

Nicole鈥檚 involvement in Tau Beta Pi will be recognized at the chapter鈥檚 initiation this semester, where she will be invested into the chapter for her significant contributions as a leader.

Future Plans: Nicole plans to continue her education in the PhD program in materials science and engineering at 51视频-Ann Arbor. Her dissertation research will be on functional materials and biomaterials. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in applied research in the field of application of biomaterials to medical devices and wearable technology.

College of Education, Health and Human Services

Chaymaa Nehme

Degree: Bachelor of Science in health and human services (social work concentration)

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W24, F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F23-F24)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Chaymaa has demonstrated academic excellence at 51视频-Dearborn, earning a place on the Dean鈥檚 List as an honors student every semester since transferring from Henry Ford College in Fall 2023. Passionate about community engagement, she partnered with the Dearborn Public Health Department on a tree equity project through one of her courses, focusing on environmental justice and sustainability. Through this initiative, Chaymaa engaged with the community in meaningful ways, addressing disparities in tree coverage and advocating for greener, healthier neighborhoods. This included taking the initiative to translate all social media posts about the program into Arabic, greatly increasing the outreach of the posts to target communities.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Seeking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, in addition to her academic achievements, Chaymaa has been actively involved in community service through organizing initiatives, supporting public service programs and by contributing to outreach efforts. These experiences have reinforced her passion for civic engagement and dedication to advocating for inclusive and equitable communities. Chaymaa remains committed to using her skills and knowledge to drive positive social change through social impact and advocacy, integrating psychology, sociology, and health and human services into her work in order to create meaningful change in both individual lives and broader communities. Assistant Professor of Health and Human Services Finn Bell, who taught Chaymaa in two courses, stated, 鈥淐haymaa is consistently one of the most engaged students, who regularly makes connections for how the materials connect to 鈥榯he real world.鈥� Chaymaa is an exemplar of what it means to be a good academic citizen with noteworthy curiosity and impeccable integrity.鈥�

Future Plans: Chaymaa currently works at a school as part of the administration team. Following graduation, she plans to apply her knowledge and social work skills to support both students and staff. Her goal is to create a positive environment, providing resources and assistance to help students thrive academically and emotionally. She remains passionate about using her social work education and experiences to build a supportive school community and to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she works with.

Darci O鈥橬eil

Degree: Bachelor of Science in health and human services (public health concentration)

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W24, F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F23-F24)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Darci has demonstrated academic excellence at 51视频-Dearborn, earning a place on the Dean鈥檚 List as an honors student every semester since transferring in Fall 2023 and receiving University Honors in both Winter and Fall 2024. Prior to attending 51视频-Dearborn, Darci was a student at both Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University. 鈥淏efore returning to school as a single mom in my 30s, I was a perpetual college dropout and thought that school just wasn鈥檛 for me,鈥� Darci said. Initially, she returned with the intention of only completing certification for her pharmacy technician license. Once introduced to the idea of public health, however, she realized that she had a passion for the field. A six-month certification turned into an opportunity to participate in research with cancer patients and she ultimately continued on for her BS. Darci completed a capstone course project and has continued to work with Associate Professor of Health Communication Nick Iannarino on a research project looking at young adult cancer programs and how they address social support needs. Her contributions have included interviewing health care professionals and analyzing data. Health and Human Services Lecturer Timothy Michling, who has taught Darci, stated, 鈥淚鈥檝e very much enjoyed working with Darci. She has a combination of intelligence, determination and compassion that will make her a tremendously effective public health professional.鈥�

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Peer mentor with Wolverine Mentor Collective; Public Health Society (treasurer)

Future Plans: Darci is currently seeking a position in the field of epidemiology and plans to gain work experience before seeking a master鈥檚 degree. Darci believes that some experience in the field will help her decide whether to seek further education in epidemiology or, possibly, in public health policy.

Assma Ali Said

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in children and families

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W24, F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F23-F24)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Prior to attending 51视频-Dearborn, Assma was a student at Henry Ford College and Wayne State University. While studying at 51视频-Dearborn, Assma participated in two internships: M&M Academy Great Start Readiness Program classroom in Fall 2024 and a 51视频-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center practicum in Winter 2023.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Assma volunteers at a local mosque and helps organize events during Ramadan to promote unity, spiritual growth and community support. One such initiative is Girls Night, a women-only event designed to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment, especially for women who face cultural and social challenges. In addition, Assma provides tutoring for preschool students after school, helping them build foundational skills while fostering a love for learning. For the past three years, this role has enabled her to support young children in the community, ensuring they feel seen, heard and encouraged to thrive. She is committed to using her skills and story to uplift others and create lasting change within the Arab and Muslim communities. Assma believes her personal journey has empowered her to create positive change and advocate for those who may feel marginalized or unheard. She strives to create a space where women can come together, share their experiences and find strength in each other.

Future Plans: Following graduation, Assma plans to further her education by pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in early childhood education, with the goal of becoming a professor and educator who can make a lasting impact in the field. Her experience as a preschool teacher has ignited a deep passion for shaping young minds and she wants to contribute to the development of innovative educational practices that can be implemented in classrooms across the country.

Awards

Off

Mon, 04/07/2025 - 12:45

Three students from each college are being recognized with the Dean鈥檚 Medallion for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership and contributions to the community.

Congrats to the CASL and COB Medallion winners

stuxbury — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:49:14 +0000

Congrats to the CASL and COB Medallion winners stuxbury Wed, 04/02/2025 - 08:49

From conducting melanoma research to advocating for veterans, 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 Spring Class of 2025鈥檚 leaders and best have accomplished many things. Adding to that: Twelve of this year鈥檚 top graduates earned the Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion or Dean鈥檚 Medallion awards.

Three Dean鈥檚 Medallion recipients are awarded per college with one of those students receiving the Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion. These students will be honored at April 26鈥檚 Commencement.

Here are 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business recipients 鈥� including the Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion winner, who is a CASL graduate. The awardees from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Education, Health and Human Services will be profiled in an article on Tuesday.

Chancellor鈥檚 Medallion

Ayah Farhat
College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Degree: Bachelor of Science in biochemistry

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F22, W23); Dean鈥檚 List (F22-F23, F24); James B. Angell Scholar (2024); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (2023); SURE Fellowship (2024); Honors Scholar (2025)

Scholarships: Mardigian Library Student Assistant Scholarship; Alumni Legacy Scholarship; Michigan Competitive Scholarship; Excellence Scholarship; CASL Alumni Affiliate Scholarship; Andy and Cheryl Chapekis Scholarship; Dr. Richard A. Potts Endowed Scholarship; William and Alice Jenkins Memorial Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Ayah is a dedicated researcher who worked with Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Besa Xhabija to conduct cutting-edge research in melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. She characterized melanoma morphologically, optically and behaviorally to better understand its aggressive nature and metastatic potential. Her research has already resulted in a first-author publication in Advanced Biology and has been featured as the front cover of its February 2025 issue.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: 51视频-Dearborn Mardigian Library Circulation Desk student assistant; American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and ASBMB student chapter (president); Kumon Math and Reading tutor; Wolverine Mentor Collective mentor; volunteer at Corewell Health, Caroline Kennedy Library, 51视频-Dearborn Food Pantry and 51视频-Dearborn Wolverine Wardrobe

Future Plans: Ayah plans to attend and present her research at the national conference of the American Chemical Society this fall. Her long-term goal is to become a physician who serves marginalized and vulnerable populations in metro Detroit.

Dean鈥檚 Medallion

College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Vincent Intrieri

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in international studies

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W24, F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F22-F24); 51视频-Dearborn Difference Maker (2024); Honors Scholar (2025)

Scholarships: CASL Alumni Affiliate Scholarship; Hugh M. Archer Veterans Scholarship; John J. Brownfain Endowed Memorial Scholarship; 51视频-Dearborn Veterans Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Vincent was the inaugural president of the Wolverine Media Network, uniting the university鈥檚 student newspaper, radio, video and arts journal into a single cohesive structure. He completed the Ottawa Internship in Canadian Parliament and participated in a virtual exchange program with the University of El Salvador in which he completed an e-book in Spanish with a Salvadoran partner. He was a work-study employee in the university鈥檚 Veterans Affairs office and is a mentor in the Dearborn Veterans Treatment Court, where he supports fellow veterans who are navigating the criminal justice system. Vincent is a nontraditional student and Navy veteran who retired as a petty officer second class logistics specialist.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Wolverine Media Network (president); Lyceum (editor-in-chief); Student Veterans Association (treasurer); Dearborn Veterans Treatment Court mentor; Veterans of the Game; Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council

Future Plans: Vincent has been admitted to American University鈥檚 master鈥檚 program in international relations and is considering law school. He is interested in pursuing a career in public interest or international law.

Ahmad Makki

Degrees: Dual Bachelors of Science in mathematics and economics

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W21, F21, F24); Honors Scholar in economics (2025); Dean鈥檚 List (F20-F24); SURE Fellowship (2022); Outstanding Delegate, Model Arab League (2023-2025); Overall Outstanding Delegation, Model Arab League (2024)

Scholarships: Metropolitan Scholarship; Kochoff Impact Scholarship; Mathematics Scholarship; Dr. Ronald Stockton Scholarship; Dean鈥檚 Scholarship (U-M Law School)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Ahmad has conducted research with Associate Professor of Political Science Emily Luxon focused on the attribution of responsibility for climate change in newspaper coverage. As a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Fellow, Ahmad also researched nationalistic bias within networks related to accusation of chemical weapon use.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Arab Affairs League Club (founder/president); Model Arab League; violin instructor

Ahmad is also a talented language learner with proficiency in Korean and Arabic and intermediate skill in West African Creole.

Future Plans: Ahmad has been admitted to the University of Michigan Law School and intends to attend starting in Fall 2025.

College of Business

Christian Ankawi

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance

Awards, Honors and Distinction: Honors Scholar (2025); James B. Angell Scholar (2023, 2024); University Honors (F21-F22, F23-F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F21-F24)

Scholarships: Kris & Ruth Pfaehler Scholarship; Allard Family Trust Scholarship;

51视频-Dearborn Dean鈥檚 Scholarship; COB Undergraduate 4+1 Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Christian鈥檚 career in accounting began in summer 2022 with an internship at Rocket Central, where he collaborated with senior leaders to resolve disputes and developed a review process that resulted in shorter lead times for reimbursements and expense requests. The following summer and fall he worked as a tax intern at Carhartt and performed a variety of tasks. In summer 2024, he was an audit intern at Doeren Mayhew and gained more specialized experience.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Supplemental instructor for College of Business; Beta Gamma Sigma honor society; Accounting Aid Society volunteer; Forgotten Harvest volunteer; frequent guest speaker for Business Foundations course

Future Plans: This summer, Christian will take the first part of the CPA exam and begin a full-time role as an assurance intern at Ernst & Young. As a 4+1 student, he will return to the College of Business in the fall and work toward his Master of Science in accounting and completing the CPA exam. Upon achieving these goals, Christian plans to work full time with a public accounting firm and currently has an open offer to return to Doeren Mayhew.

Elias Elzein

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W22, W24, F24); Dean鈥檚 List (F21-F22,

F23-F24)

Scholarships: 51视频-Dearborn Dean鈥檚 Scholarship (2021-2024); COB Undergraduate 4+1 Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: In summer 2023, Elias worked as an accounting intern at Varsity Lincoln. In this role, he reconciled bank statements and inventory records, collaborated with the dealership鈥檚 CPA on financial statement preparation and gained hands-on experience in several accounting processes.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Beta Alpha Psi (member since 2022; reporter 2023-2024; co-president April 2024-April 2025); Michigan Model Arab League (team received the 2025 Distinguished Delegation Award)

As an active member and leader of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting and finance students, Elias has participated in several competitions across the country. He has pursued professional development opportunities through these competitions, including improving his public speaking and presentation skills, and helped lead the 51视频-Dearborn chapter to a national-level competition.

Future Plans: Elias will spend the summer completing an audit internship at Plante Moran and preparing for the CPA exam. He will return to the College of Business in the fall as part of the 4+1 program to earn his Master of Science in accounting. He hopes to continue working with Plante Moran upon completing his master鈥檚 degree and earning his CPA.

Carlos Gonzalez

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in digital marketing

Awards, Honors and Distinction: James B. Angell Scholar (2023); University Honors (W22-W23); Dean鈥檚 List (W22-F24); Honors Scholar (2025); student speaker at the College of Business Celebration of Excellence (2024); Bill Linn Fiction Prize Honorable Mention (2023)

Scholarships: LEAD Scholarship; 51视频-Dearborn Dean鈥檚 Scholarship; Jeffrey R. & Donna T. Smith Scholarship; Michael & Vana Surmanian Family Scholarship; 51视频-Dearborn Honors Scholarship; Central Study Abroad Scholarship; College of Business Fast Track Scholarship; Russel J. Ebeid Scholarship; Louanne Sanez Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Carlos began participating in 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 Digital Storytelling project as a first-year student when he created his own story. He was promoted to a mentorship role his sophomore year. As a mentor, he guided new participants through the creative process by organizing workshops and helping with technical challenges. Carlos took on more responsibilities over the years, such as assisting with curriculum development, and eventually became a lead strategist for directing faculty members on their own digital stories. He also worked as a digital marketing intern for MedsFinder in summer 2021 and as a digital marketing and business strategy intern for ESOP One from August 2023 to August 2024. Christopher Spilker, head of the Mardigian Library Research Center, observed that Carlos was an integral part of the Digital Storytelling project, stating that 鈥渉is dedication not only strengthened the program but also inspired those around him.鈥�

Extracurricular and Community Projects: LEAD Scholars member and LEAD Advisory Board member; ISPM-Italy participant; LeaderShape participant; Real Estate Association; Eagle Scout.

Future Plans: Carlos plans to pursue his Master of Business Administration in a specialization that will enable him to utilize his talents for storytelling and strategic thinking, such as marketing management or business analytics. He hopes to work for a multinational corporation and one day advance to an executive leadership position where he can inspire others to create meaningful content.

Awards

Off

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 12:48

51视频-Dearborn recognizes a select group of soon-to-be grads each semester for outstanding achievement.

COB and CASL graduating students were awarded for their high achievement. Graphic by Lou Blouin

Spring 2025 Commencement: A guide to the big day

lblouin — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 11:58:30 +0000

Spring 2025 Commencement: A guide to the big day lblouin Wed, 04/02/2025 - 07:58

More than 1,000 graduates will earn degrees at next month鈥檚 commencement ceremony on April 26. As in past years, the full day of spring graduation festivities will be split into three ceremonies. Undergraduates from the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and College of Business kick things off at 9 a.m., followed by undergrads from the College of Education, Health and Human Services and College of Engineering and Computer Science at 1 p.m. The final ceremony for doctoral and graduate students from all four colleges is at 5 p.m.

Here are a few more good-to-knows for the big day.

Speakers

James Scapa, a graduate of Columbia University and an 鈥�83 U-M MBA grad, will be the featured speaker at both undergraduate ceremonies. Scapa is founder, chair and CEO of Altair, a global leader in computational intelligence software and technology. He founded the company in 1985 with two partners when he was just 25 years old. Altair now employs more than 3,000 scientists, engineers and creative thinkers across 28 countries and serves more than 16,000 customers across a broad range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, government and defense, finance, energy, technology, life sciences, architecture and construction. Under Scapa鈥檚 leadership, Altair also sponsored the #OnlyForward Scholarship, which awarded $25,000 scholarships to 51视频-Dearborn students pursuing a four-year degree in computer science or engineering.

Tim Yerdon, an executive leader with SAE Industry Technologies Consortia, will be the featured speaker at the 5 p.m. ceremony for graduate students. Yerdon is an experienced mobility leader with a track record of driving breakthrough technology change through collaboration and innovative thinking. He holds a key role within SAE International, a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle industries. Prior to SAE, Tim ran the consulting firm Plymouth Technology Advisors, after serving in executive positions with Ford Motor Co. and Visteon Corp. At Ford, he served on the company's dedicated team for electric vehicles, which developed the Mustang Mach-E SUV, F-150 Lightning truck and E-Transit van. He also chairs 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 CECS Industry Advisory Board.

Asil Khanafer, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in behavioral and biological sciences, with a minor in applied arts, is the student speaker at the two undergraduate ceremonies. During her time at 51视频-Dearborn, Khanafer was president of both the Pre-Professional Health Society and the Lebanese Diaspora Relief Organization, as well as vice president of the National Arab American Medical Association student chapter. In addition, she conducted research on bonobo cognition as a research assistant in Associate Professor of Psychology Francine Dollins鈥� lab. She also served as a chemistry and psychology supplemental instruction leader and vice chair of the Student Organization Allocation Council. Khanafer plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and will continue her studies at Michigan State University鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall.

Mohsen Chaaban, who is graduating from 51视频-Dearborn with a Master of Science in cybersecurity and information assurance, will address his fellow graduate students at the 5 p.m. ceremony. Chaaban earned his bachelor鈥檚 at 51视频-Dearborn in 2023 and currently works as a software controls engineer at General Motors. Throughout his time at the university, he actively engaged in student organizations and mentorship programs. During his undergraduate years, he was a member of Student Organization Account Services, where he helped student organizations with financial services and event planning. He has also been active in community service efforts in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, taking part in initiatives such as toy drives, as well as Easter and Ramadan essential drives.

Commencement stats

This spring, the university is awarding a total of 1,067 degrees to 1,049 graduates. Among undergraduates, the youngest is just 17 years old and the oldest is 68. The average undergraduate GPA is 3.4. Spring graduates represent 26 Michigan counties and 13 states.

Tickets

Each student receives four tickets to their ceremony for guests. Graduating students participating in the ceremony do not need a ticket for themselves. Students can currently pick up tickets at the One Stop, located on the first floor of the Renick University Center, Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Students must show their Mcard or government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) and a receipt that they purchased their cap and gown to pick up tickets. All guests at the commencement ceremonies must have a ticket, except for children under 2 who will be sitting on the lap of a guest. Tickets can also be placed at Will Call and picked up the day of the ceremony.

Students should email umd-commencement@umich.edu with the number of tickets they would like held (up to four). All tickets must be claimed (either picked up or Will Call request) by Friday, April 11. Those who don鈥檛 need all their tickets can pick up their tickets and give them to friends or classmates who need additional tickets. Students can also return tickets they will not need to the One Stop so other students can claim them. Students are not permitted to sell tickets. More information about extra tickets will be shared on Monday, April 14.

Volunteering

If you are a staff member and would like to volunteer at the ceremonies, please email Campus Event Planner Mandy Earl. Tasks include distributing Will Call tickets, checking in graduates, helping direct the crowd and other activities.

How to watch

If you won't be attending commencement in person, you can still watch online on the university鈥檚 YouTube page.

###

Still have more questions about Spring 2025 Commencement? Check out the university鈥檚 commencement page. Story by Lou Blouin

University-wide

Off

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 11:58

Meet the commencement speakers and get ceremony details for the April 26 festivities.

This spring, the university is awarding a total of 1,067 degrees to 1,049 graduates. Photo by Michigan Photography

鈥楬ow will you make your mark on the world?鈥�

stuxbury — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:14:43 +0000

鈥楬ow will you make your mark on the world?鈥� stuxbury Sat, 12/21/2024 - 14:14

Nearly 40 years after Henry Maier earned his diploma from 51视频-Dearborn, he attended his first campus commencement. The retired FedEx ground president and CEO skipped his own ceremony because he moved immediately after finals to begin working. On Dec. 21, he was back at his alma mater 鈥� this time delivering the keynote speech to the Class of Fall 2024.

Keynote speaker Henry Maier

鈥淭hanks for the opportunity to finally attend 鈥� even if it is almost 50 years late,鈥� said Maier, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in economics in 1986. 鈥淚 entered 51视频-Dearborn as a freshman in the fall of 1972, only the second class of freshmen admitted to the university. My family couldn鈥檛 afford college, so I had to work one, two and once three jobs to pay tuition. I鈥檓 sure many of you sitting here can relate.鈥� Maier went on to have a 35-year career with FedEx. 鈥�51视频-Dearborn made it possible for students like me to get not just a college education, but a Michigan education,鈥� he continued.

Surrounded by family, friends and favorite professors, hundreds of Dearborn Wolverines were awarded 713 degrees during two 90-minute commencement ceremonies in the Fieldhouse. The morning ceremony recognized graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business. The afternoon ceremony celebrated graduates of the College of Education, Health and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Delivering the keynote, Maier congratulated the graduates on reaching their goals. He said their hard work will continue to open doors for more opportunities. 鈥淭oday you reached a milestone, but what you really have done is given yourself choices. You can choose to earn a living, what problems you want to help solve and decide what direction you want your life to go in,鈥� he said.

Maier added that, as life unfolds, the knowledge the graduates have gained will prove important 鈥� but so will the understanding that there will always be lessons to learn and skills to grow. 鈥淚f you take nothing else with you today, be curious, inquisitive and remember that your education does not end when you leave today,鈥� he said.

Student speaker Almunthir Elhady echoed the idea that graduation is not a conclusion. The College of Engineering and Computer Science graduate told his fellow students that with each step they take, they will be called to adapt, to grow and to rise. 鈥淭he future is not a destination 鈥� it is a process of becoming, a journey of constant redefinition, of striving not just for personal success, but for a world that is better for those who will follow,鈥� Elhady said.

Student speaker Almunthir Elhady

As Chancellor Domenico Grasso certified the degrees, he told the students that he looks forward to seeing the good that they bring into the world. 鈥淚 welcome you to the society of learned men and women and to the pantheon of distinguished Michigan alumni 鈥� almost 700,000 strong 鈥� who have shaped and defined the world in which we live,鈥� Grasso said. 鈥淭oday also marks the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight, but from here on, the days will gradually grow longer. Just as the light of the sun increases, so too will the light of your education 鈥� symbolized by our university seal 鈥� guide you, illuminating your futures for the rest of your lives.鈥�

Then, students in the Class of Fall 2024 鈥� who ranged from ages 18 to 65 and hailed from 14 U.S. states and many nations around the world 鈥� turned their tassels, marking their official transition to alumni. During the two ceremonies, 482 undergraduate, 226 graduate and five doctoral degrees were awarded.

Grasso also awarded one special diploma 鈥� to Maier. 鈥淲e are going to present him with the diploma that he did not receive during his commencement,鈥� Grasso said. 鈥淐ongratulations.鈥� Smiling, Maier accepted it with one word: 鈥淔inally.鈥�

Chancellor Domenico Grasso and Class of Fall 2024 keynote speaker Henry Maier

During his keynote speech, Maier noted that the anthem for his generation 鈥� the Baby Boomers 鈥� was a Graham Nash song titled 鈥淐hicago.鈥� He paraphrased the lyrics: 鈥淲e can change the world. Rearrange the world. It鈥檚 dying to get better.鈥� He encouraged the newest 51视频-Dearborn alums to think about their song, while also talking about what a big day it was for them both 鈥� even though their graduations were nearly 40 years apart.

鈥淭o the Class of 2024, I ask, 鈥榃hat鈥檚 your anthem? How will you leave your mark on the world?鈥� Maier said. 鈥淲hat I can tell you is you have already begun.鈥�

Story by Sarah Tuxbury. Photos by Annie Barker and Andrew Mascharka

Alumni Engagement

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Sat, 12/21/2024 - 18:57

51视频-Dearborn awarded 713 degrees during two 90-minute commencement ceremonies on Dec. 21 in the Fieldhouse.

The Class of Fall 2024 was celebrated at two commencement ceremonies on Dec. 21. Photo by Annie Barker

Class of Fall 2024: College of Business graduate Lamyah Burhani

stuxbury — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:29:14 +0000

Class of Fall 2024: College of Business graduate Lamyah Burhani stuxbury Wed, 12/18/2024 - 05:29

Lamyah Burhani remembers coming to 51视频-Dearborn as a high school student and mentally making notes of the campus environment, the welcoming feeling she experienced and knowing she wanted to say yes to as many opportunities as possible.

Three and a half years later 鈥� yes, she graduated in less than four 鈥� Burhani has completed four internships, traveled out of state for an Alpha Kappa Psi conference as the 51视频-Dearborn chapter president, studied in Italy through the university鈥檚 Study Abroad program and more. She says these experiences helped grow her confidence.

鈥淚 chose 51视频-Dearborn because, as cheesy as this sounds, it felt home-y. It could also give me the education I wanted and was the best financial decision. What I didn鈥檛 realize is how much the past few years would bring me out of my shell and help me learn how to be secure in myself and my abilities and to speak up,鈥� says Burhani, a Canton resident double majoring in marketing and supply chain management. 鈥淏eing at 51视频-Dearborn has helped me become a leader.鈥�

She joined Alpha Kappa Psi her first year, after attending the university鈥檚 Winter Involvement Fair. When she became president at the end of that year, Burhani transitioned the business fraternity back to in-person activities following the pandemic. She reorganized the student organization鈥檚 space in Fairlane Center North and looked for ways to create community. She planned fun and career-focused events on campus while promoting business development opportunities, which included the AKPsi Elevate Conference in Chicago.

Burhani says not only did her time in the fraternity and exploring resources help her meet new friends, these activities also connected her to 51视频-Dearborn leaders who had expertise in career development. Of particular note, Burhani mentions 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 career fairs and resume workshops, as well as the COB course Business Administration 300, taught by Business Administration Lecturer Rita Agius, which introduces students to career-securing strategies. Agius is also the senior internship program manager in COB鈥檚 Business Career Center.

鈥淚 was so impressed that there was a course that focused on all things career development. We talked about resumes, job searches, marketing ourselves, writing professionally and anything you can think of that will make you a stronger candidate. It definitely enhanced my professional growth,鈥� Burhani says. 鈥淭he career training and network you can get at 51视频-Dearborn is really incredible.鈥�

Burhani, who plans to focus on the supply chain management side of her degree and is currently weighing her available opportunities, says the Business Career Center helped her find three of her four internships. She completed two supply chain management internships, at Detroit Manufacturing Systems and Tenneco, as well as a marketing internship at The Mushroom Angel Company, located in Detroit鈥檚 Eastern Market. 鈥淚 started going to 51视频-Dearborn career fairs as a freshman. At the time, I went just to go. I didn鈥檛 know if it would help me or not. It did. I want to encourage students, even during their first year, to go. And then keep going,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou build relationships year after year. You learn about the companies, meet the representatives and make connections. Then you can decide what you want to work toward.鈥�

Burhani says she did not originally intend to major in supply chain management, but Operations Management Lecturer Laura Birou noticed her talent and encouraged her to consider it as a career path. Not only does the supply chain field have a double-digit projection for growth 鈥� the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of supply chain management professionals will grow by 30% from 2020 to 2030 鈥� Burhani also finds it highly intriguing.

鈥淚 came to college planning to have a career in marketing. I love marketing and will apply the skills I gained in my marketing classes to my career, but I learned that I have a talent for numbers, organizing and attention to detail that I didn鈥檛 realize,鈥� Burhani says. 鈥淜nowing that I had a part in getting something in the right quantity where it needs to be on time is something I find fulfilling.鈥� In addition to the automotive field, Burhani is interested in working in healthcare, where many of the supplies are potentially life-saving.

Reflecting on the past three-plus years, Burhani says her time in college also gave her an opportunity to travel to Italy through the International Summer Program in Management at the University of Padua. During the five-week program, she took business classes at the University of Padua with Italian students, while also traveling the country. She saw the Colosseum in Rome, rode in a gondola in Venice and saw Michelangelo鈥檚 David in Florence. 鈥淚鈥檝e never lived away from home before. I got to do that, meet friends from Italy that I still talk with, and do things I only thought I鈥檇 be able to see in books or social media,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 also saw how the world is much bigger than just me or what鈥檚 happening right now. I knew that, but to see it through so many layers of history was humbling.鈥�

Nearing the end of her 51视频-Dearborn undergraduate experience, Burhani says the welcoming, home-y feeling never left. Sitting in her favorite chair in Fairlane's student organization space recently while taking it all in, Burhani says she鈥檚 ready for what鈥檚 next.

鈥�51视频-Dearborn is such a special place. The people here want you to go out into the world and succeed, but they also encourage you to leave a legacy here,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淭hanks to the people I鈥檝e met and the things I was able to accomplish while at 51视频-Dearborn, I know I鈥檒l be able to do both.鈥�

Story by Sarah Tuxbury

COB Student Organizations

Off

Wed, 12/18/2024 - 10:27

Graduating in under four years, the supply chain management and marketing double major says 51视频-Dearborn helped her gain job experience, an international perspective, leadership skills and memories that will last a lifetime.

Portrait of COB graduate Lamyah Burhani. Photo by Jansen Sangala

Class of Fall 2024: CECS graduate Dania Ammar

lblouin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:46:13 +0000

Class of Fall 2024: CECS graduate Dania Ammar lblouin Mon, 12/16/2024 - 11:46

When Dania Ammar moved with her family from Beirut to southeast Michigan in 2017, her plan was to build on her civil engineering background and start the master鈥檚 in construction management program at 51视频-Ann Arbor. But some family circumstances led to her deferring her enrollment. As it happened, during the unexpected semester off, she reconnected with a friend from Lebanon who was studying mechanical engineering on the Dearborn campus. He had a lot of good things to say about the college, particularly how the research enterprise was growing quickly, giving graduate students a lot of opportunities. It was enough to pique Ammar鈥檚 interest. She got on the 51视频-Dearborn website, checked out the programs and research labs, particularly those in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and set up a meeting with then-College of Engineering and Computer Science Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and current CECS Dean Ghassan Kridli. 鈥淒ean Kridli was very generous in giving me some time to talk with him about the programs and all the research that was going on at 51视频-Dearborn at that time. I decided this was definitely one of the best options,鈥� Ammar says.

The following semester, Ammar decided to go for it 鈥� enrolling in the IMSE master鈥檚 program at 51视频-Dearborn in 2018. IMSE is a broad discipline, and Ammar recalls feeling very open to exploring all the possibilities. That first semester, she took a variety of classes and found an early champion in Associate Professor Jian Hu, who specializes in using data analytics and machine learning in risk management applications. 鈥淚 had a very good math background and knew some programming, but I had no background in that field,鈥� Ammar says. 鈥淧rofessor Hu provided me with all kinds of support, told me which books I should start reading, and gave me time to get accustomed to programming models that we were using. I learned so much and it was a phenomenal experience.鈥� A little later in her master鈥檚 program, she crossed paths with Professor Shan Bao, a specialist in human factors who was helping develop a new master鈥檚 program in Human-Centered Design and Engineering, a field that roots engineering solutions in deep understandings of human needs. Ammar says a lot of people think of human factors as a psychology-based discipline 鈥� and it does draw on psychology and user feedback quite a bit. But with Bao鈥檚 work, Ammar saw how the discipline鈥檚 deepest potential lay in combining those insights with complex data analytics and even artificial intelligence. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 really develop any product, whether it is something simple or something very complicated, like an automated vehicle, without going into the human factors aspects of it,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I saw this isn鈥檛 just about psychology. It鈥檚 about figuring out ways to quantify the psychology 鈥� to measure human preferences and behaviors so you can build models that help you gain insights into those measures.鈥�

Ammar loved working with Bao and chose to continue her journey at Dearborn with a PhD. For her dissertation research, she took on an ambitious multiphase project in transportation safety that explored one of the more fascinating emerging challenges related to autonomous vehicles: How will pedestrians learn to trust and safely interact with vehicles when humans aren鈥檛 doing the driving? Ammar says both pedestrians and drivers typically rely on an exchange of visual signals, like eye contact and waving, to negotiate who has the right of way, and absent a human driver, cars will presumably need some way of declaring their intentions. She began her work with a deep dive into road crash data, identifying the factors that lead to the most dangerous situations between pedestrians and human-driven vehicles in order to derive potentially problematic pedestrian-AV scenarios. She then embarked on building a cueing system designed to satisfy pedestrians' needs while interacting with AVs in these evaluation scenarios. That phase of her research led to several interesting conclusions. For example, Ammar discovered that pedestrians tend to favor technologies that closely mimic their interactions with human drivers, e.g. AVs that communicate a symbolic message, like the familiar flashing silhouette used at crosswalks, either directly on the vehicle or via crosswalk infrastructure (or both). She also investigated many fine-grain details, like whether a pedestrian鈥檚 age, gender, and driving and pedestrian behavior (conservative versus nonconservative) influenced their preferences for AV cueing. The final stage of her research involved creating a VR simulation, where she observed participants reacting in tricky situations, like an autonomous vehicle quickly approaching a red light before eventually stopping. By measuring how long pedestrians took to leave the curb and using physiological measures like pupil diameter, she could see which safety cues inspired trust or distrust. She鈥檚 hoping the results, which have led to several publications, will help other researchers, automakers and civil engineers as they design cueing systems for the era of autonomous vehicles.

Since officially finishing her PhD program, Ammar has switched gears a little bit, and in some ways, it鈥檚 a moment when her diverse studies are all coming together. Since August, she鈥檚 been working as a data science project engineer with Hottinger Br眉el & Kj忙r, where she focuses on data analytics and machine learning-based solutions for a wide variety of industries. 鈥淭hese skills can be leveraged in any application, including civil engineering-related fields, which have changed a lot even in the short time since I was an undergraduate student,鈥� Ammar says. 鈥淟et鈥檚 say you had a project and you needed insights about soil mechanics or wanted to predict settlements in the soil over time. In the past, we would have done that with a bunch of physics-based and numerical equations. But now, with more sensors being installed and collected data becoming available, researchers are developing machine learning-based models to answer those questions. That鈥檚 where the field is going now, and in the future, most engineering solutions will be built with data collection in mind so these models can keep getting better.鈥�

Ammar now just has one finishing touch to put on her 51视频-Dearborn career: Walking across the commencement stage in December. She expects it鈥檚 going to be a pretty emotional moment. 鈥�51视频-Dearborn has been my home for the last seven years,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only been a few months since I left, but to see everyone again is going to be very special. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with so many different people, and I always felt, sincerely, that every day I spent with them was a chance to learn something new.鈥�

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Story by Lou Blouin

Technology