Henry Ford College Math Professor Becomes Arab American Community Liaison

Release Date
Sam Bazzi

Sam Bazzi, a long-time Henry Ford College (HFC) mathematics instructor, has been named the College’s first Arab American Community Liaison as of the Fall 2017 semester.

The purpose of this newly-created position is to promote the mission of HFC within the Arab American community, continue to build and nurture personal relationships, and facilitate a productive dialogue regarding educational issues, policies, projects, and events with various Arab American institutes and the Dearborn Public Schools.

According to Bazzi, who will continue teaching mathematics, the duties of his new position as the Arab American Community Liaison include:

  • Developing channels of communication and collaborative projects between HFC and community organizations, including ACCESS, the Arab American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), the Arab American National Museum (AANM), and the Dearborn Public Schools;

  • Meeting regularly with HFC’s Arabic Cultural Studies Program Council to collaborate on projects and community outreach events;

  • Creating and maintaining a diversity and inclusion website, which will include a calendar of Arab American community events, as well as information for students, faculty, and staff about volunteer opportunities in the Arab American community;

  • Reporting concerns from the Arab American community and promoting College events, programs, and activities;

  • Promoting new hiring opportunities within the Arab American community to increase the applicant pools in various positions; and

  • Maintaining accurate records and statistics of Arab American community resources.

“The liaison is tasked with developing and maintaining positive channels of communication between HFC and major Arab American institutes in the College’s service area,” said Bazzi. “The job requires someone who can foster relationships within the College and with external community stakeholders. It also requires someone who is fluent in English and Arabic, and who resides in Dearborn. My colleagues on the Arabic Cultural Studies Program Council recommended me in light of my credentials and my ability to communicate well with everyone in both languages,” he added.

A native of Lebanon, Bazzi earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics from the Lebanese University in Beirut, Lebanon and Wayne State University in Detroit, respectively. He taught in the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) and as an adjunct at Wayne State, Oakland Community College (OCC), and Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio.

“I always loved the subject of mathematics and I was very good at it. I was inspired by my high school teachers to pursue a career in teaching. I always had a passion for sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired with others,” said Bazzi.

Additionally, Bazzi taught at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before coming to HFC in 2001. In late 2014, he took a leave of absence from HFC to work for the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), one of the largest oil-producing companies in the world. He returned to HFC in early 2016.

“HFC offers a positive, secure, and safe working environment. It is a pleasure to work with a great, dynamic team of mathematics instructors who are dedicated to student success. I am honored to be working at an educational institution such as HFC, which has a great reputation in the community and throughout the state of Michigan,” said Bazzi.

Dr. Cynthia Glass, HFC Vice President of Human Resources (HR)/Special Assistant to the President, believes Bazzi is the right fit for the Arab American Community Liaison.

“This position is a direct result of HFC’s commitment to diversity and equity. Sam will serve as the voice of HFC in the Arab American community as we continue to develop and strengthen our many partnerships. He is a resident and is involved in the Dearborn community, has an excellent personal and professional reputation, and is deeply committed to the success of the students of Henry Ford College. We are very pleased that he has agreed to devote his time to this meaningful work,” said Glass.