Get to Know HFC: Samer Atris helps students stay on the path to success

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Samer Atris wearing a blue and black HFC shirt in front of a blue background.

After completing his counseling internship at HFC in 2015, HFC Program Advisor for Health Careers Samer Atris knew he wanted to stay at the College.

“My internship was a big part of it. I also established a pretty good relationship with (counselors) Dr. Ibrahim Atallah and Imad Nouri. I felt comfortable here at the College. I wanted to give back to the community and I wanted to give back to the City of Dearborn,” said Atris.

“Samer is an experienced, student-centered advisor dedicated to ensuring health-career students are successful both in and out of the classroom,” said HFC Interim Director of Academic Advising Jennifer Markin, his supervisor.

"I liked the academic advising aspect of higher education"

The youngest of two sons, Atris was born in Dearborn and lives in Canton. An alumnus of Canton High School, Atris earned both his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in higher education from Eastern Michigan University. He also earned both his independent study certification and his graduate certification in academic advising from EMU.

“Originally, I was in the counseling program,” said Atris. “I switched gears because I liked the academic advising aspect of higher education. My heart was in advising.”

Helping students stay on the right path

After completing his internship in 2015, Atris worked at the College as a Student Success Navigator in 2016, a position he held until moving into his current position in early 2023. Atris’ duties include:

  • Outreach to students
  • Advising students about various programs in the School of Health and Human Services
  • Vetting their transfer credits
  • Attending conferences
  • Encouraging students to register early

“I really enjoy the people I work with in HHS and the Welcome Center,” said Atris. “I also try to work with more people at the College. I love helping the students. I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from helping a student and they come back and thank me down the line. I help them stay on the right path, so they don’t take extra classes or the wrong classes and can meet their goal of graduating on time.”

Some student basics: Read the communications that come your way; manage your time well

“I had the opportunity to watch Samer grow professionally at HFC since his earlier experience as an intern in the counseling division,” said Nouri. “He was always attentive, informed, and caring toward the needs of students.”

Atris’ advice for students to be successful as students is to read their emails and manage their time efficiently.

“Don’t procrastinate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and see your advisor at least once a semester. We’ll determine if you’re moving forward and will get you on the right path to graduation,” he said.

Atris has enjoyed his time at HFC.

“I like the direction our College is going,” he said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”