commencement

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Looking to pursue a degree in education, TereOnna Moore will serve as the student commencement speaker at Commencement May 9.

A chance encounter with a Schoolcraft College admissions representative at her high school led TereOnna Moore to this moment.

Tracey Thomas, who now serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions, visited Livonia Stevenson High School and had all the students in a class she visited apply for admission. After learning more about the institution, as well as interacting with Thomas, Moore decided she would become an Ocelot.

“I finally knew what I wanted to do,” she said. “I can start at Schoolcraft, and I’ll be right up the road from home.”

Attending Schoolcraft College has been a great experience for Moore, who wants to work in education after college. In May, she’ll earn her Associate of Arts degree at the 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony. Moore will also serve at the student speaker at the ceremony, addressing her graduating class and providing a reflection on her time at Schoolcraft College.

In addition to taking classes, she has worked as a Student Ambassador, helping at campus events such as Ozzy Palooza and giving tours to perspective students and their families. That experience has allowed her not only to get to know campus better but forge important friendships along the way.

Those relationships grew and grew. Getting to know Sharon Christian, Director of Workforce Mentorship and Placement, as well as Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Chief Student Services Officer, have inspired Moore to pursuit her passion, which is education.

“I think the networking opportunities really helped me know what I wanted to go into,” she said.

TereOnna Moore in regalia holding grad sign

Being a 2024 high school graduate, Moore was in the first class eligible for the Community College Guarantee, a statewide program that provides recent high school graduates free in-district tuition at their local community college.

Having that program alleviated Moore’s stress about finding a way to pay for school, allowing her to focus on her studies. That was especially important to her, since she had gotten into a vehicle accident just before her prom.

“Hearing that, I thought that that was really, really amazing that I could go to school for free, especially with me getting out of the car accident knowing I wasn’t working,” Moore said. “It also helped me to pursue my career and actually allow me to pursue the things I wanted to do instead of asking my parents for money.”

After earning her associate degree, Moore plans to attend Grand Valley State University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in education and eventually a master’s degree. She said she could see herself working in higher education or eventually as a superintendent for a school district.

Given that she attended schools is several area school districts as a child – including Detroit, Redford Union, Wayne-Westland and Livonia – she has seen firsthand the differences in each and wants to make sure future students get the best education they can have.

“I’ve been around many different school districts, so I know how different schools get treated,” she said. “If I become a superintendent, I know I will try to get equality and justice so that all of the students get the same treatment and education, no matter what color they are or where they come from.”

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Growing up, math was never Faisal Alnakhala’s strong suit. Now, he’s planning on earning his next degree in electrical and computer engineering.

Math was not always Faisal Alnakhala’s strong suit. But after a few years of school, dedication and perseverance, he’s now found a new love for numbers.

So much so that he’s placed in Schoolcraft College’s annual Pythagorean Prize, a prestigious honor for students studying mathematics.

“In high school, I actually failed high school algebra, and look at me now,” he said. “I’m very proud of myself. I never thought I’d be where I’m at right now. I’m happy I’m here and I like living in the moment.”

Alnakhala, a Palestinian who grew up in Saudi Arabia, always knew he wanted to study in the United States. Since his family owned a vacation home nearby, he saw Schoolcraft College as a great option to begin his studies at.

Since arriving, Alnakhala has gotten involved with Phi Theta Kappa, serving as the Schoolcraft College’s chapter secretary. He has spent time tutoring his fellow students in the Learning Center, an opportunity that he says has helped me learn as well.

“That helped me not forget what concepts I took here in math classes at Schoolcraft,” he said. “I’ve got a better grasp of how to deliver my points to people through the Learning Center.”

Faisal Alnakhala in regalia

As he prepares to graduate at the College’s 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony May 9, Alnakhala plans on attending Wayne State University to earn a degree in electrical and computer engineering. His interest stems from his father, who used to take him on jobs as a telecommunications engineer.

Alnakhala said he was greatly influenced by several of his math instructors, including Katie Shields, Christopher Leirstein and Audrey Mingela. Their teaching styles made it easy for him to understand the concepts and succeed.

His advice to potential students looking to enroll at Schoolcraft? Don’t second-guess yourself.

“Go with your gut feeling and everything’s going to be worth it,” he said. “Go with what feels right and put in hard work and I promise you, everything is going to pay off.”

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A native of Argentina, Maria del Pilar Estevez has become a mainstay on campus, working as a Student Ambassador and Managing Editor at The Schoolcraft Connection newspaper.

Maria del Pilar Estevez traveled more than 5,000 miles to find a college that felt like home.

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Estevez originally attended college in her home country. But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and classes got canceled at the beginning of the semester, throwing her future into uncertainty.

After reassessing, Estevez applied to work as an au pair, being connected with a family in Northville. Looking at ESL classes in the area, she discovered Schoolcraft College and took classes.

She then fell in love with the community.

“Since I got here, I’ve always been at Schoolcraft,” she said. “It’s been five years and I’m still here.

“I always loved this community and I always love giving back.”

Today, it’s hard to not see Estevez all over campus. Since enrolling in her courses, she’s worked as a student ambassador, giving tours to prospective students and their families. She’s been involved in the International Student Club and worked as the managing and layout editor at The Schoolcraft Connection newspaper. Her work at the Connection was so impactful that it earned her the Student Employee of the Year for 2025-2026.

Helping change the culture of the student newspaper is her biggest accomplishment during her time at Schoolcraft.

“I just love how we’ve created this new Connection environment to what it is now,” she said. “I just love it.”

Art has always been a big part of Estevez’s life, so when it came time to find a subject to study, she gravitated to Computer Graphics Technology. She will receive her Associate of Applied Science at Schoolcraft College’s 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony May 9, where she will serve as a student marshal.

Her love of Schoolcraft has her staying for a short time after commencement: in addition to her AAS degree, Estevez plans on earning one more associate degree, this time in business. Her hope is to get into the business side of artwork.

Maria del Pilar Estevez in regalia

“Working at the Connection, it opened up doors when it came to managing and how things work,” she said. “The team that is here, I hired most of them. So I thought maybe I should go in business and do management or human resources.”

Once she wraps up her second associate degree later this year, her plan is to stay locally and attend either Wayne State University or Eastern Michigan University to earn her bachelor’s degree in business administration. After, it’s Estevez’s goal to remain in the United States, specifically the Great Lakes State, and find work.

“I love Michigan and I don’t want to move. The only bad thing is the winters,” she said. “I wouldn’t change Michigan for anything. I’m so glad I ended up here.”

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Earning a degree in childhood education, Willett wants to continue her mother’s legacy and work to help educate youngsters.

After attending multiple schools during her K-12 education, Ashley Willett finally found a place she could feel herself in Schoolcraft College.

Throughout her young life, Willett found herself attending school in districts such as Plymouth-Canton, Hazel Park, Ferndale and South Lyon. When looking at a place for college, she looked for a place that would support her learning needs via accommodations.

“While I was in South Lyon, I did a tour here at Schoolcraft and fell in love with it,” she said. “I found out how the accommodations work and fell in love with it.”

Ashley Willett in regalia

With challenges throughout her life, Willett has been working on earning her degree for nine years. She’ll complete the journey to her associate degree this weekend when she walks at Schoolcraft College’s 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony, taking place May 9 in the TrinityElite Sports Center.

Willett will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, a field she’s been exposed to her whole life. Growing up, her mother worked in early childhood education, and Willett consistently saw how she worked and decided she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps.

“We had a summer childcare at home,” Willett said. “All my friends, the neighborhood kids, they would come and my mom and watch them during the summer.”

Today, she’s been working for area childcare centers.

While at Schoolcraft, Willett, found involvement on campus with several groups, including the Black Student Union, the Pride Team and more. Her participation in those groups led her to meet Catreese Qualls, a member of the College’s Marketing Department. Willett said Qualls always made her feel welcome.

“She’s always been open and warm. She’s always willing to help somebody in need, whether it’s your starving and you need food or just going to talk to her,” Willett said. “She’s someone who is easy to talk to.”

After graduating, Willett plans to continue working in early childhood education. Her goal is to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an institution such as Ferris State University or Central Michigan University.

She wants other students who may have had struggles like her to know they can succeed if they put their mind to it.

“I would tell them to never give up on their dreams. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you should give up or quit,” she said. “Be who you want to be. Embrace who you are.”

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Addison Beatty found Schoolcraft College was the perfect place to find her passion.

Addison Beatty took a road less traveled than many of her friends when she decided to attend Schoolcraft College.

While many of her classmates from Novi High School opted for four-year schools after graduation, Beatty was not sure what she wanted to study. After considering her options, she chose Schoolcraft to get her education going and find her passion.

“It’s just very important that people realize how good community college really is,” she said. “I think it’s important to listen to yourself and figure out what’s right for you in the moment.”

Today, Beatty is preparing to graduate with her Associate in General Studies at Schoolcraft’s 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony, taking place May 9 at the TrinityElite Sports Center on campus. There, she will serve as a student marshal during the ceremony.

Addison with ocelot plush on shoulder, holding Ocelot Grad sign

During her time on campus, Beatty discovered a love of the arts and public speaking. She enrolled in classes dedicated to honing those skills, as well as getting involved with the student film club and submitted some of her artwork to this year’s SC Mosaic Arts Awards. She has continuously pushed herself out of her comfort zone, something she began doing in high school.

One way she’s done that? As part of a speech for class, Beatty did a makeup tutorial teaching her fellow students how to look at Walter White from the television show “Breaking Bad.”

“I had a lot of fun showing people how to do the makeup,” she said. “I think that was one of my favorite speeches I’ve ever done.”

Beatty attributes her love of learning to several instructors at the College, including Art instructor Stephanie Sarris, Communication Arts instructor Danielle Harkins and English instructor Denise Schnell. She said those instructors, along with others, have made a major impact on how she views herself and her work.

Before, Beatty said she focused heavily on being the best and not tripping up. But as she has spent time in college, she’s discovered the journey to success is just as important as a high grade or achievement.

After graduating, Beatty plans to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications.

The pathway to her next college may not be how some of her high school classmates took, but it’s one that has her proud and well-prepared.

“I’m still going to U-M and I went to community college first,” Beatty said. “I think community college can be just as enriching, especially if you want connections, because that is where you get close to people.

“I think it’s been one of my best choices.”

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Carol Strom, a former member of the College’s Board of Trustees, will receive an honorary degree at the 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony May 9.

Campus certainly looks different than it did when Carol Strom took office in the mid-1990s.

After serving for 31 years on the College’s Board of Trustees, Strom decided it was time to retire this past November.

“It doesn’t seem like 31 years. It seems like only yesterday when I started,” Strom said. “It’s just been incredible. The progress and the changes that have occurred with each one of the presidents, it’s been absolutely amazing.”

That service has earned Strom a very special designation: she will receive an honorary degree from Schoolcraft College during the 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony, which will take place May 9 in the TrinityElite Sports Center.

A Detroit native, Strom graduated from Cooley High School and earned her teaching certificate from the University of Michigan. She then began teaching physical education in communities such as Southfield and South Lyon, where she helped launch the South Lyon High School girls’ varsity basketball and volleyball teams.

Living in Livonia, Strom saw an opportunity to get involved with the local PTA. Her experience there led her to running for the board of education for Livonia Public Schools.

Then, the opportunity that would define her public service would become available: a vacancy popped up on the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees, and Strom was encouraged to apply. Given she had been part of committees to help establish the College decades before, Strom said it was a natural fit. So, she applied.

“I had been involved with the Livonia schools,” Strom said. “I just felt like it was something I wanted to do because I had served 14 years on the Livonia board and I wanted to move on.”

Major impact on the College

Strom served in several leadership roles on the Board, including as vice chair and chair, overseeing the governing body of the College. One of the things that motivated her to run for reelection to the Board was the wonderful working relationship the Board of Trustees has had.

She joined before several buildings were constructed, including the Biotechnology Center, the TrinityElite Sports Center and the Vistatech Center, which Strom had plenty of input to give.

She recalls informing Dr. Richard McDowell, then-president of the College, that the Vistatech Center needed an overhang at the entrance. She was convinced the building wouldn’t be successful without one and wouldn’t bring it to the table for a vote without it.

Carol Strom poses with her family and the Livonia City Council

“I said, ‘If I’m dropping my 85-year-old mother off at the college, I don’t want her to be out in the open,’” Strom said.

Today, not only does the Vistatech Center have that overhang, but the breezeway entrance now bears Strom’s name because of her influence: she was recognized in a dedication ceremony naming the breezeway after her last summer.

Despite resigning, Strom isn’t giving up all her connections to Schoolcraft College. Dr. Glenn Cerny, current president of the College, has named Strom to serve on the Schoolcraft Development Authority, which oversees the dynamic partnerships the College has.

“Few people have had the impact on Schoolcraft College that Carol has had. Her passion for this campus and its students is unrivaled,” Cerny said. “We are eternally thankful for all her hard work to make our campus the amazing place it is today.”

Strom’s influence has reached far past campus. During a December meeting at the Livonia City Council, Strom was honored and recognized for her hard work and dedication to Schoolcraft College by then-Councilwoman Laura Toy, who also previously served as a member of the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees.

“Many years ago, the best way to find yourself is to use yourself in the service of others,” Toy said. “And you certainly have done that.”

Despite her retirement, Strom still finds herself fielding questions about the College at places such as church. Her dedication to the College is something she will treasure forever.

“It’s a great place to be involved with,” she said. “Schoolcraft College is one of the gems in this area and it keeps getting better and better.”

Carol Strom with a commendation from the Livonia City Council for her work

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Schoolcraft College will celebrate its 61st Annual Commencement at 1 p.m. May 9 at the TrinityElite Sports Center on the Livonia campus.

The height of the academic year is nearly here.

Schoolcraft College will celebrate its 61st Annual Commencement at 1 p.m. May 9 at the TrinityElite Sports Center on the Livonia campus. This ceremony is a time to honor and recognize those candidates and graduates who will receive degrees from the College.

“Our graduates reflect the very best of our community: students of all ages balancing work, family and education while pursuing their goals,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College. “We’re looking forward to celebrating not only their academic achievements, but their resilience and purpose that propelled them to complete their academic program.”

Doors open at noon for Commencement, where hundreds of candidates and graduates will walk and receive recognition for their achievements during the annual ceremony. To best prepare, students who have met graduation requirements or are expected to meet their graduation requirements soon can apply for graduation through the College’s online portal, Ocelot Access. Those students who are unsure of whether they qualify to walk at Commencement can speak to an academic advisor.

The last day for students to apply for graduation and have their name in the commemorative Commencement booklet is April 29. Students can still apply for graduation after that date, but their names will not be included in the booklet.

Those eligible to walk at Commencement can attend the College’s Grad Fair at the Campus Bookstore this spring to order and pick up caps and gowns. The Grad Fair will take place at the following times:

  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22
  • Noon to 6 p.m. April 23

Those who walk will receive four tickets for family and friends to attend. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the College’s YouTube channel. Prior to the ceremony, photo opportunities with Ozzy, the College’s ocelot mascot, will be available, as well as other activities to celebrate the day.

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Patty Soter accomplished a longtime goal of her at Commencement: earn her associate degree. At 72, she finally did it.

Patty Soter was just one of hundreds of graduates to walk the stage at last week’s Commencement Ceremony at Schoolcraft College.

The Plymouth resident had her mortarboard, gown and family supporting her as she walked across the stage after hearing her name. She shook hands with Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of the College. And she took plenty of pictures with family and fellow students.

What’s so unique about Soter, you ask? Probably the fact that she is old enough to be some graduates’ grandmother.

student regalia
Patty Soter, 72 of Plymouth, walks the stage at Schoolcraft College’s 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony May 3.

At 72, Soter has already worked for decades and has retired, but had a strong calling to return to school and complete her associate degree. She had taken some classes at other schools’ in the past, but had never finished. She instead joined the workforce, doing jobs such as a reservationist for an airline and a secretary for various institutions, including the University of Michigan. Looking to enhance her skills, she began taking classes at another community college, but never did finish the degree.

It wasn’t until she retired that she decided to go back and finish her program.

“There are other things that were going on. I think I stopped this journey about four times,” she said. “When I retired from U of M, I decided this was the time. It was time for me to complete my goal, and I wanted a college education.”

Soter spoke to an advisor, who told her she only had a few classes to go before she could earn her degree. She was familiar with Schoolcraft College — she lives in Plymouth and had taken several Personal & Professional Learning fitness classes — so she enrolled in credit courses. One such course was THEA 120: Theatre Activities I with Paul Beer and THEA 210: Acting I with Michael Herman,

Her grandchildren have done theater, so she decided to give it a shot. It was a class she truly enjoyed.

“It was the best thing I could have done. It’s so fun,” she said. “Paul Beer was great. He is a wonderful instructor.”

While she’s felt incredibly comfortable on campus as a student, there have been some moments that her age was on full display. One such moment was before one of her classes started, she saw a group of younger students in the hallway. Deciding she was find a seat, she walked in the classroom, only for the younger students to follow her, thinking she was running the lesson.

“I guess they saw me as an older person walking in there and they said, ‘Oh, that must be the instructor,’ so everybody follows behind me,” she said. “They were shocked.”

Despite earning her associate degree this past weekend, Soter said her educational career may not be finished quite yet: she plans on taking some time for some traveling, but is seriously considering enrolling at Wayne State University to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Her advice? It’s never too late to go to school and complete your goals.

“I guess you can only say ‘Just do it,’” Soter said. “Think outside the box. Improve your improve your mental capacity, as well as your physical capacity. because it’s all here.”

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After a life that has brought plenty of challenges, Jess Michael found a way to navigate her education and graduate with her associate degree.

Jess Michael still remembers writing her first book that inspired her to become a writer.

She was six.

Titled “Lizzy the Fish,” it was a tale about a fish that was different. It helped set the stage for Michael’s life the next several decades, mimicking her life without her truly understanding it.

“It was very intricate with the ins and outs of friendship. It was really cute and I drew it,” she said. “Pushing through all of that, I think now that I am 34 years old, I look back at it because I was struggling because I wasn’t diagnosed as neurodivergent at that age.”

After a life that has brought plenty of challenges, Michael found a way to navigate her education and graduate. The editor-in-chief of The Schoolcraft Connection, Michael will walk across the state May 3 and receive her associate degree from Schoolcraft College.

Michael has taken a long pathway to get to this moment. A high school dropout, Michael ended up marrying young and having two of her three children in her early 20s. Her then husband found work out of state, so she and her family up and moved to places like Missouri and Oklahoma. When she began thinking about what she wanted to do beside parenting, she thought the military was the right move, but a motorcycle accident left her with an injury that prevented that from happening.

Michael decided it was time to go back to her original passion: writing. However, it had been some time since she was in school, she decided attending college would be the next step. She applied for the Michigan Reconnect and received it, prompting her to enroll at Schoolcraft, her local community college. Without that critical scholarship, she never would have been able to go back to school.

“The fact that my tuition is completely covered is a big relief, because I know that many people in my age group have kids and are married. It’s really hard to navigate working a full-time job or being a full-time parent or both while coming to school,” Michael. “The fact that Reconnect offers that is so relieving and having that resource is incredibly important.”

Michael jumped right into the community college life, taking classes and getting involved with The Schoolcraft Connection, the student newspaper on campus. After serving different roles on the paper’s staff the first year, she became editor-in-chief this past year, leading the newsroom and helping to tell stories all over the campus.

Michael got to know many of the international and neurodivergent students who wanted to get involved at the newspaper. She made it a goal of hers to make sure the Connection was as welcoming as it could be to any student interested in joining the staff.

“I realized I wanted to leave behind after I graduate. A safe place for everyone else, where there is inclusivity and diversity,” she said. “That was very important to me so that everyone felt that they could come and achieve something and have a place that they could always like come to.”

Michael said she plans on pursuing her bachelor’s degree in English after graduation, with her eyes set on the University of Michigan. She plans on attending the Great Lakes Arts,

Cultures, and Environment program up north this summer offered through U of M, taking some courses. It’s her hope one day to own her own publishing company to help independent publishers.

Michael has valued her time at Schoolcraft, which truly helped her realize her full potential and who she is.

“It doesn’t matter your age or where you come from. You will find acceptance and love when you’re with the right people,” she said. “I have been taught by Schoolcraft that you’re not just here to learn academics, you’re here to discover yourself.”

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An international student from Lebanon who is best known for shooting photos and videos for The Schoolcraft Connection student newspaper, Tala will serve as the student speaker at Commencement.

During Schoolcraft College’s 2024 Commencement, audience members could see Tala Wehbe running around with a camera in her hand, taking photos to share online through the Schoolcraft Connection. This year, Wehbe will be in attendance again, but in a much different role: instead of covering the ceremony, Wehbe will be a part of it.

Wehbe, an international student from Lebanon, will serve as the student reflection speaker during the 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony, which takes place May 3 in the TrinityElite Sports Center on the Schoolcraft College campus. There, she plans on sharing her journey growing up in the Middle East before coming to the United States for college.

She spent much of her youth in Saudi Arabia. When looking for a place to attend college, she looked to Michigan, since she had some family here and her older brother was already taking classes in a doctorate program at Central Michigan University. After looking around the metro Detroit area for a place to attend, she learned about Schoolcraft College and enrolled.

“It was just so easy to get in contact with the International student office. It was so easy to send over my paperwork,” she said. “They will make sure you are not dealing with this alone.”

Since arriving on campus, Wehbe has worked to hone her skills behind the camera and in the graphics lab. She will graduate May 3 with a degree focused on Computer Graphics Technology.

She’s regularly seen at events all across campus, taking photos and video to produce for newspaper. She’s also spent plenty of time in the labs in the Jeffress Center, taking her CGT courses and learning all she could.

It’s a field she’s become incredibly passionate about, and wants to find a way to utilize it in her career. Lebanon and Saudi helped ignite Wehbe’s passion for the field, but she came to the U.S. for more advance opportunities for further development her skills and pursue her goals.

“Film and multimedia has always been my dream, but it has been such a farfetched dream to the point where I never really considered doing it as a career,” she said.

After spending time at Schoolcraft, Wehbe is headed to Eastern Michigan University, where she plans on finishing her bachelor’s degree before heading back to the Middle East. Her dream is to work in the sports field, creating 3-D graphics for teams and other uses.

Wehbe has truly embraced living in metro Detroit since arriving, enjoying all the region has to offer. She’s loved exploring the state, learning about its culture and feeling connected to this. Her time at Schoolcraft College has never felt like a chore, but more like a welcoming place that’s given her a place to feel herself.

“I I don’t wanna say it felt like a second home, but it it really did. It was it was very warm and welcoming,” Wehbe said. “I’ve I not once was like, ‘Oh, I gotta go to school.’ Maybe it was, ‘Ugh, I gotta go to that class,’ but always after class, I I always just go to the Connection office, and just go around campus. It’s a it’s a very welcoming place.”

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Emily Bauman will accomplish a major goal this year after taking classes over the course of a few decades: she will walk the stage and earn an associate degree here at Schoolcraft College.

Emily Bauman wanted to spend her time at Schoolcraft College focusing on being a student. Going into classes being several decades older than many of her fellow students, Bauman did everything she could to fully emerge herself in academia. From participating in the STEAM@Schoolcraft conference to completing her Honors’ capstone program, she wanted to have the full experience.

“When I’m in school here, I’m feeling like I’m a kid, but I’m not,” she said. “And so, it’s balancing the feeling of ‘I’m learning, I’m just like you–we’re in this at the same time’ all the while knowing that when they look at me, they’re seeing their mom!”

Bauman grew up in upstate New York, where she graduated from high school. After living in several spots across the country, Bauman and her family found their home in metro Detroit. She had taken classes at several institutions but never completed her degree. After growing her and her husband’s family and having life happen, Bauman made the decision to jump into politics. She threw her name into local elections, eventually landing a seat on the Westland City Council, where she currently serves.

Given her current position, she decided on taking several political science classes at Schoolcraft, which also led her to the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program, as one of those political science classes was Honors-only.

While she was initially hesitant to join the Honor’s program, she decided to jump in and found it incredibly rewarding. Her capstone project is one she plans on continuing after her time at Schoolcraft college as she now sits on the newly-formed Westland Arts Foundation board. For their first project, they plan to install eagle sculptures all throughout Westland to help raise awareness of the arts in the western Wayne County community.

After finding out from an advisor that several of the courses she took at other colleges wouldn’t transfer, Bauman made sure she took classes that could travel with her when pursuing a bachelor’s degree. “I wanted to take classes that had a focus, meaning that all the classes I took are transferable. Every single one of them was on the Michigan Transfer Agreement, every single one,” she said. “So, I know that I can transfer out, transfer into another school and they will accept them all.”

Bauman said she’s proud of her accomplishments while at Schoolcraft and embraced being a student. While she’s unsure of her exact next steps, she’s thinking about potentially enrolling at Wayne State University to earn a bachelor’s degree to aid her in the political world.

Despite the age gap between her and her fellow classmates, she said she never let it get in the way of learning and growing. It’s a piece of advice she’d give to anyone looking to go back to school.

While she would encourage getting a higher education degree or certificate before the big responsibilities of life set in, she adds, “my biggest thing for anybody is: don’t let age stop you no matter what age you are. If you are really wanting to accomplish a goal, go for it. Don’t let age or someone else telling you don’t have the experience or perhaps you don’t need it, stop you,” she said. Pave your own path forward. Set that goal and persevere!”

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After graduating from Schoolcraft College, Maggie Jagielski plans to attend Wayne State University in the fall, with the hope of graduating with her bachelor’s degree next year.

Maggie Jagielski was eager to begin her college career. So eager that she began it in high school.

Jagielski, a Livonia Franklin High School graduate, began looking at places to attend college during her time there. After doing some searching and realizing she had some open hours, she discovered dual enrollment and asked a counselor about opportunity. She was told it was an option for her and she enrolled. Even before earning her high school diploma, Jagielski had already completed four college courses.

“I don’t think I would have been as eager to do it if my senior schedule at Franklin was more extreme, but knowing that I had like three or three hours of my day, I was like, “Oh, I might as well be earning college credits,’” she said. “I said, ‘if I can save money this way, I’m going to.’”

That drive gave her a head start when she began as a student at Schoolcraft College two years ago. Today, she’s preparing to walk the stage at the College’s 60th Annual Commencement taking place May 3, where Jagielski will serve as a student marshal escorting her class.

As a first-generation college student, Jagielski searched all around for scholarships to help pay for school. She eventually became a Schoolcraft College Foundation Scholar, which covered a large amount of her college costs and led her to meeting some wonderful people through the Foundation. Learning about the Michigan Transfer Agreement and being able to make sure her credits would properly be applied to a bachelor’s degree coming out of Schoolcraft College was also an important factor when Jagielski was looking at colleges.

A true passion early on for Jagielski was finding out about the Schoolcraft Honors Scholars Program. After learning about it in high school, Jagielski reached out to Errin Stegich-Moloney, the program’s director. She remembers Stegich-Moloney being caught off-guard after hearing from a high school student, but believed that showed her dedication early.

“I was sitting in my high school library and Errin was like, ‘Oh, are you at work right now?’ And I say, ‘I’m at school.’ and she said, ‘Where did you go to school?’ And I said, ‘I’m in high school.’ And she goes, ‘What? You know you have to wait until you’re in college to do this, right?’” Jagielski said. “That was a very funny moment and that definitely kicked off mine and Aaron’s relationship.”

Since enrolling, Jagielski spent plenty of time getting involved with the Honors program, including on her capstone project, which saw her and a classmate assisting a senior citizen. Her academic career has also led her to being a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships given to two-year college students in the country.

Her dedication and actions to enroll in college classes early will also give her a head start in the fall when she begins classes at Wayne State University: between her dual enrollment and heavy course load, Jagielski plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in business administration in just three years. And one of the best parts for her? She’ll still be taking several classes on Schoolcraft College’s campus through Wayne State’s satellite offerings in the Jeffress Center.

Her time here at Schoolcraft has set her up well to begin the journey of her ultimate goal: working in the automotive industry, seeking to become the next Mary Barra.

While her journey won’t take her far from the Livonia campus, she acknowledges it just won’t be the same.

“I’m going to miss all of the connections I built with the staff and faculty here,” she said. “Schoolcraft is the second home to me, and it’s gonna be really sad to not be able to like, just walk into Erinn’s office whenever I please.”