Aspiring doctor says Honors experience is “priceless”

To HFC honors student Zena Sattar Aljilehawi (pronounced "al-jill-a-howie”), biology is “real-life magic,” which has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.

“Growing up, my parents took my siblings and me to many science museums. They encouraged me to read science books,” said Aljilehawi. “Learning how and why our life events happen will never cease to amaze me.”

The eldest of five, Aljilehawi was born in Diwaniya, Iraq (south of Baghdad) and lives with her family in Westland. In 2021, she earned her GED from Romulus Adult Education and then enrolled at HFC. She is a first-generation college student. Her younger brother Ali Aljilehawi just completed his first semester at HFC. Both are active at the College.

“HFC has no shortage of great volunteer opportunities,” said Zena. “I love reading up on what’s going on at HFC using the student activities newsletter and attending events. Sometimes it could be volunteering opportunities or celebrations on campus. They’re always fun to attend!”

Honors student success coordinator

A member of the Henry Ford II Honors program, Aljilehawi is one of the program’s student success coordinators. She and fellow honors student Alayna Kondraciuk co-lead a team of student researchers investigating ways to make various processes easier for incoming students and outgoing transfers, according to Honors Program Director Dr. Adam Hazlett.

“Zena and Alayna are our inaugural Mellon Fellows for the Honors program. Both of these women are very important to building our Honors program to be a student-centered and student-facing entity. I couldn't do my job without their guidance,” said Hazlett. “Zena is a conscientious young academic with perseverance and drive that has few rivals. She is the textbook definition of a ‘go-getter.’ She has improved our transfer opportunities for all students. Her commitment to the Honors program and her fellow students is second to none.”

The Honors program has made Aljilehawi’s time at HFC invaluable.

“My experience with the Honors program has been priceless,” she said. “Being in an environment with some of the top students at HFC inspires and encourages me. In my humble opinion, the connections and opportunities given to me as an honors student rival those of many highly ranked universities. Professors – not only from HFC, but Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan – come to us and want to work with us. The networking opportunities alone that we get in the Honors program are priceless.”

Exceptionally diverse

During her time at HFC, she has seen the Honors program change locations, recently opening its own Honors Hub on the first floor of the Reuther Liberal Arts Building (Bldg. K). The Honors Hub is equipped with a kitchen area that serves complimentary snacks and drinks, and a relaxation/sensory room.

“I think it’s pretty neat!” Aljilehawi enthused.

Another benefit of being in the Honors Program are the spirited debates Aljilehawi has had with her peers and even instructors about religion, voting rights, nuclear power, and more.

“I am able to engage with them in important ways. They’ve challenged my perspectives on different topics. There have been times when (Hazlett) would come out of his office to see what’s going on and join in!” she said, laughing. “He has worked hard to make joining the Honors program as easy as possible and make it accessible to everyone. We’re exceptionally diverse.”

On the ground floor of Learn4ward

Aljilehawi will graduate from HFC in 2023, earning her associate degree in biology. Afterward, she will transfer to the University of Michigan-Dearborn as part of its Learn4ward program. She was one of the speakers at the press conference where Learn4ward – an innovative partnership between HFC and major universities that provides guaranteed transfer admission – was announced in October.

“I’m really excited about this transfer opportunity. Guaranteed admission along with mentors for the transfer process are really important because the process can be tricky for someone who may not know about application, deadlines, and transfers,” said Aljilehawi. “This agreement with UM-Dearborn will eliminate many barriers students face in the transfer process with guaranteed admission and transfer mentors. We’re really excited about this opportunity for ourselves and HFC students.”

Making transferring easier for all HFC students

One of her main goals as a student success coordinator is making transferring easier for all HFC students, not just honors students. This includes making sure students have all the pertinent information they need about their transfer institutions.

She has coordinated transfer sessions with EMU, U-M, UM-Dearborn, Wayne State University, and Michigan State University, Yale University, Princeton University, Pomona University in California, and Amherst College in Massachusetts.

“Zena is a great student and fabulous person,” said Hazlett. “Her work as a transfer fellow in the Honors program is imperative for those interested in life after HFC. She has approached that work with professionalism and empathy for her fellow students. She has made progress with Wayne State, EMU, and even MSU. When she knows she is doing the right thing, no one can stop her. I'm honored to be working with her.”

“Ordinary people make big differences”

At UM-Dearborn, Aljilehawi plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology. Once her undergraduate education is complete, she wants to attend medical school at either the University of Michigan or Wayne State. Her ultimate goal is to become an OB/GYN.

“I’m very passionate about women’s health, particularly minority women’s health, being a minority woman myself. There are a lot of advancements needed regarding women’s health care, ranging from pain management to prenatal care. I want to be active in the field and change things for the better,” she explained. “After earning my degrees, I would love to be involved in the medical field and working toward eliminating barriers against equal healthcare. I’m very enthusiastic about the future. I believe ordinary people make big differences.”

Looking ahead to the future

In addition to Hazlett, some of her favorite instructors at HFC include math instructor Sam Bazzi, religious studies instructor Dr. Joel Geffen, sociology instructor Dr. Kalvin DaRonne Harvell, and biology instructor Dr. Jessica Mahoney.

Bazzi is Aljilehawi’s mentor is the Honors program.

“Every professor I’ve worked with so far at HFC has been kind to me and so understanding. If they notice a student being engaged with the class, they reciprocate that energy 100 percent. Discussions with them are fascinating and even challenging at times, but I love it,” she said. “I love the environment with all the other HFC students and the smaller class sizes. They’ve helped me establish connections with my professors for a more individualized experience. Affordability and diversity of students are great benefits.”

She continued: “Attending HFC is one of the best moves I made financially and academically. The classes are affordable, and the professors are excellent, not to mention transfer opportunities since the best schools in Michigan have transfer agreements with HFC and love transfer students and offer many scholarship opportunities.”

“The Honors program helped me make the most of my time here at HFC. I can’t reiterate that enough,” she said. “The professors and mentors I’ve had here are extremely helpful and supportive and work with each student to reach our individual goals. In the Honors program, your mentor will collaborate with you on an individualized work plan. They do this for every single student. I think that’s pretty amazing! I can’t wait for my next semester at the College and to get started at UM-Dearborn.”