HFC remembers Tamika Hister
The HFC community mourns the passing of HFC Enrollment Associate III Tamika Hister.
She passed away on Dec. 12, 2021 at the age of 44. Tamika is survived by her daughter, London; her mother, Tonya Horne; her brother, Gregory Hister, Jr.; and significant other, Claude Albert.
Born in Wayne, Tamika graduated from John Glenn High School in Westland in 1995. She attended several colleges and universities, including Western Michigan University, where she studied business. At the time of her passing, she was attending Eastern Michigan University and would have graduated in summer 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. EMU will award Tamika a posthumous honorary degree in July.
A candlelight vigil was held on campus in Tamika's memory on Dec. 17, 2021, where family, friends, and colleagues shared stories and warm memories. HFC Financial Aid Associate and SSA President Leslie Windless and Tonya Horne, Tamika’s mother, spoke at length about her at the memorial.
HFC President Russ Kavalhuna and Vice President for Advancement Reginald Best also spoke, and presented an annual Tamika Hister Scholarship, which will carry on Tamika’s legacy of helping students. “It is always a tragedy when we lose a team member, and my heart goes out to her family and friends,” said Kavalhuna. “We know that Tamika will be well remembered at the College by those who worked closely with her. And, her desire to help students succeed will continue to be recognized through this scholarship.”
HFC team members share their memories
Several of Tamika’s HFC coworkers and friends sent us their memories about her. These comments will give you a sense of how much Tamika was valued at HFC.
“Tamika will forever be remembered as a fighter, an advocate for equity. I think this is why I was so shocked and saddened by her sudden passing. I take solace in the fact that I got to know her as more than a work colleague and I was better for having her as a friend. Working with Tamika meant seeing a ball of positive energy every day that would brighten your day. She always made me laugh and was able to put an optimistic spin on anything that happened. She will truly be missed at the Welcome Center.”
– Financial Aid Associate and SSA President Leslie Windless
“The best way to describe working with Tamika is to say that it was a pleasure. Tamika had very high standards when it came to customer service, both internal and external. But when it came to students, she was a fierce advocate! Tamika never tired of working to remove institutional barriers for students and fought for them as if she were fighting for herself. She was a real team player and would never hesitate to jump in or help when you needed her. Tamika was a true asset to HFC. With all that being said, the most unexpected and absolute best part about working with her is that we became friends. I miss my friend.”
– HFC Enrollment Associate III Katrina Minnis
“A memory that I like to share reflects Tamika’s good character. I often drove her to and from work because friends help each other out when in need. I thought nothing of the favor. To my surprise, she gave me a special Christmas ornament in appreciation for helping her out. The ornament was so unique and to my individual taste and just beautiful. She was the kind of person who paid close attention to others and found joy in giving them the little things that would make them happy. She was a gem.”
– HFC Student Success Navigator Chari Milai
“Tamika was not only a great coworker who made coming to work so much more pleasant, but also a good friend with whom we shared lots of conversations during our ride shares to work. She always fought hard for the students when she knew that something was not right. She was also a great mother who loved her daughter fiercely. I am so glad I was able to call her a friend. She will be dearly missed.”
– HFC Enrollment Associate III Jodi Kenney
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