HFC alumnus Sameer Shah empowers MSU transfer students

As a member of the Michigan State University Transfer Student Advisory Board, HFC alumnus Sameer Shah (pronounced “Shaw”) wants to make the transition to MSU as seamless as possible for transfer students, both academically and socially.

“I joined the TSAB to do my part to help fellow transfer students acclimate to MSU and help MSU find a more effective way to reach out to transfer students. It was an opportunity to provide insights to MSU to better accommodate transfer students,” said Shah. “MSU offers the Transfer Experience Mentorship Program, which assigns mentors to assist incoming transfer students who are seeking support, guidance, and the right resources to help them figure out the path they want to pursue, and to offer friendship. We know how to navigate the MSU system.”

Fellow transfer students become close friends

Shah addressed the social aspects of being a transfer student.

“Some transfer students can find it hard to make friends at first,” said Shah. “Many students who have attended MSU since their freshman year have already established friendship circles, and their paths are different from transfer students.”

Going to MSU allowed Shah to step out his comfort zone and embrace various social circles. He found groups that clicked with him.

“I believe in making friends. I try to make every moment as positive as it can be,” said Shah. “A lot of the friends I made when I started at MSU were transfer students. Those friendships made MSU some of the best years of my life.”

“Exactly where I was supposed to be”

A native of Grand Rapids, Shah is the youngest of four and the only son. After graduating from Caledonia High School, he enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College. A year later, he became a caregiver for his late grandparents and took a gap year. Then he worked as a realtor, and realized he needed to return to college.

“I moved from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor and explored the University of Michigan’s campus. Then I moved to East Lansing to see what the vibe was like. I fit in incredibly well at MSU! There have been few times in my life when I have felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. During my year in East Lansing, I felt that way the whole time,” he explained.

Before transferring to MSU, Shah took classes at HFC, GRCC, and Washtenaw Community College. Shah will graduate from MSU on May 3, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics.

Seamlessly transferring from HFC to MSU

At HFC, Shah took American Legal Systems and Processes. “It all goes back to desire,“ said Shah. "The pursuit of my bachelor’s degree in the most affordable way led to me to enroll in different community colleges, because each one had different classes that would transfer to MSU. Community colleges are much more affordable, and the education is comparable to a university.”

He continued: “I really enjoyed studying at HFC. I had a great time. It was an awesome opportunity that worked out wonderfully for me. I recommend HFC to anyone seeking an affordable route to transferring.”

A “model” student

Shah has worked as a realtor and a model to help pay his way through college.

“People kept telling me I should look into modeling, so I eventually did. I went into Unique Models & Talent, an agency in Grand Rapids. At first, I was told I was too short. A couple of years later, I grew up, and the rest is history,” he recalled.

For Shah, modeling has been a fun side-hustle. He has managed to work his modeling schedule around his class schedule.

“The most notoriety I’ve gotten from my modeling gig is doing an ad for Big Joe pool inflatables,” he said. “You can find it at Costco and Sam’s Club.”

After he graduates from MSU this spring, Shah plans to work for a while and then attend law school.

“I’ve always been interested in systems and efficiency,” he said. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of creating efficient systems. In economics, everything’s graphs and numbers, which makes sense on how economies function. There’s a trend where people earn economics degrees and fit them into whatever career they want. It’s a firm foundation.”