Abdulaziz Alkhalisi maximizes academics and social growth at HFC

When he began his education at Henry Ford Early College, Abdulaziz Alkhalisi says he was shy and reserved. Now as he prepares to graduate, he is outgoing and enjoys collaborating with his peers.

“That transformation has really made me appreciate HFC and its student body. I’ve met so many amazing, talented people,” said Alkhalisi, of Dearborn Heights. “People attend community college for various reasons. Some are new high school grads trying to save money and then transfer. Others are doing career shifts that require them to go back for schooling, and others have taken some time off after high school and are just starting higher education. Everyone is attending for different reasons, which makes the student body so rich and diverse. That has led me to grow so much by learning from so many diverse people and foster tight bonds with peers and faculty.”

He decided to attend HFEC because he wanted to be in a more challenging academic environment.

“Getting to take college classes as a high schooler was an amazing opportunity,” said Alkhalisi. “I’d be able to get ahead of my education, save money, and learn more material with classes lasting a semester, compared to high school classes lasting a year. I also wanted a more mature educational experience. HFC has definitely given me all that, with high quality classes and letting me meet a variety of people from different age groups and backgrounds. This has allowed me to grow and mature as a person.”

A redoubtable champion of HFC

Born in Baghdad, Alkhalisi, an only child, immigrated with his family to Michigan when he was 7. Fluent in English and Arabic, he earned associate degrees in pre-engineering and in general science from HFC in 2025. He is on his way to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he will study engineering.

Alkhalisi has been involved in numerous organizations and activities. Through HFEC, he is a member of the National Honor Society, where he served as secretary during the 2022-23 academic year and vice president during the 2023-24 academic year.

“As an NHS officer, I was always looking for ways to get Early College students more involved on the HFC campus. I shared volunteer opportunities on campus and encouraged HFEC students to explore what HFC has to offer,” he said.

At HFC, Alkhalisi has been a member of the Engineering Club, the Mathematics Club, the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year College Student Mathematics League, the Henry Ford II Honors Program, and The Mirror News Board of Directors. He also completed the Community College Summer Fellowship Program at U-M in 2024 and was asked to stay on to conduct additional research.

Alongside fellow students Summer Brooks, Charles Brooks, and Ali Berry, Alkhalisi helped launch HFC’s Narcan initiative.

“The College has been very swift in their installation of the Narcan vending machines after the official launch event,” he said. “I was walking to class in the Science Building (Building J on the main campus) and was very pleasantly surprised to see one. I was filled with joy and gratitude.”

“Abdulaziz is more than the best co-lead I could’ve asked for,” said Berry. “He’s the best friend, brother, and companion to support me through my academic education and through my life. His exemplary character has pushed me to improve on a daily basis. I am thankful, lucky, and blessed to have him around.”

Community through the Honors Program

Alkhalisi says the Honors Program has been his best experience at HFC.

“I made most of my friends and I learned about so many opportunities,” he said. “Being surrounded by hardworking, like-minded people who also wanted to get the most out of their time here was a huge catalyst that boosted my development as a student and person; it was a place on campus I can truly call my community. When I decided to be more proactive, I’ve been building this momentum of experiences and connections that I hope to carry with me to U-M.”

The Honors Hub in the Reuther Liberal Arts Building (Building K on the main campus) is his favorite place on campus.

“I study there, I store food and snacks in the kitchen, and I take power naps in the sensory room whenever I needed to,” said Alkhalisi. “As a student who averages 12-13 hours on campus studying, going to class, and doing extracurriculars, the Honors Hub was a much-needed resource that let me be comfortable on campus and be able to last such long days.”

What he benefited from the most in the Honors Program was the directed study project. HFC psychology instructor Alison Buchanan served as his mentor.

“I researched the cognitive effects that short-form and fast-paced social media (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram) has on us, particularly when it comes to attention span, memory, and addiction,” he explained. “Getting the opportunity to design my own research project and work on such an interdisciplinary topic that combined product design, engineering, psychology, and neuroscience/neurobiology was very fulfilling and intellectually stimulating. It allowed me to start with a topic I am passionate about – software engineering – and approach it from a unique lens of ‘How do the products we design affect individuals and society as a whole?’ This is a question I will continue asking myself as I study engineering.”

“Abdulaziz is an amazing student,” said Buchanan. “He’s done so many extracurricular activities that it’s hard to keep up with him. He has so much drive and initiative. I wish him all the best at U-M.”

Desires to make the world a “tad better”

Alkhalisi spoke about his desire to become an engineer.

“Mathematics is a consistent and beautiful system that’ll always contain true statements. Science is a discipline that reveals a beautiful harmony among seemingly chaotic systems. Technology, almost an artform in my eyes, demonstrates that what seems to be impossible can be possible through imagination and ingenuity. In their own beautiful ways, it reminds me that it’s possible to find stability in an uncertain world. Through engineering, I hope to gain the skills to understand the truths behind the workings of this world, find the seemingly invisible lines that connect the dots, and make the impossible possible through finding innovative solutions that’ll make this world just a tad better than it was yesterday,” he explained.

He is excited about attending U-M and believes HFC prepared him well for it.

“Getting the opportunity to take so many college classes at such a young age has allowed me to mature and grow and experience what it takes to be a successful student,” he said. “I’ve made sure to constantly challenge myself through my courseload at HFC, and I think the grit I’ve developed will serve me well at U-M. The HFC faculty put much effort into ensuring you have what you need to succeed. Having this environment as my first college experience has allowed me to foster the confidence and skills to be an advocate for my education.”

Alkhalisi is reflective as he moves on to his next steps in life. “I wouldn’t be able to do HFC justice by trying to condense it into a few sentences. As this big chapter of my life closes, I am very grateful for so many things. I have so many great memories here, and I will continue to benefit from lessons I learned here. One thing I will take with me: Be purposeful with everything you do. and truly give it your all.”