Mother and son are enrolled at HFC as the “first step on the ladder”
Both Mirvat Hakim and her son Mohamad are taking classes at HFC.
The majority of Mirvat’s classes are online, while Mohamad, a senior at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, is taking classes through HFC at the same time through dual enrollment. In fact, Mirvat helped Mohamad get enrolled at HFC.
“My mom helped a lot with the registration and showed me how to login, do my homework, and submit assignments because she already knows the system,” said Mohamad. “HFC made the enrollment process easy and gave me the opportunity to attend classes before I graduate from high school.”
The second of three children and the only son, Mohamad will graduate from Crestwood in the spring. He was a linebacker for the Crestwood varsity football team and is finishing up his final season on the Crestwood wrestling team.
He will likely continue attending HFC upon graduation, where he is currently taking English and psychology classes. He has been talking with Coach Grant MacKenzie about wrestling as a Hawk.
“I never imagined that I will be attending the same school as my son. Fifteen years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom taking care of him, and now we are both in the same school. It makes me so excited to catch up,” said Mirvat.
Lebanon to Africa to Michigan
Born in Lebanon, Mirvat lives in Dearborn Heights with her husband of 20 years. She also lived in Africa for four years.
When she immigrated to the United States, Mirvat – who did not finish high school – earned her GED, which gave her the opportunity to continue her education. She became a medical assistant through the Everest Institute in Dearborn. After working as a medical assistant for three years, she now works as an administrative assistant at Dynamic Construction in Melvindale.
Mirvat began her education at HFC in 2015. Soon, responsibilities to her family and to her job led her to stop taking classes. Last year, she made the decision to return to HFC. She is studying business at the College and will earn her associate degree in 2024. Upon graduation, she would like to continue her education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
“HFC gave me the opportunity to learn more and educate myself. It gave me knowledge,” said Mirvat. “I always wanted to continue my education and HFC made it easy for me. It was an easy process to get enrolled, and it is very helpful for me because I’m taking my classes online. HFC open doors for opportunities. It is like the first step on the ladder that can take you further in life, especially in the case of a working mom who has a dream to continue her education.”