At 18, I arrived at Oakland University (OU) as a freshman in the Fall of 2020–amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. As a nontraditional student, being a multilingual immigrant from the Middle East, I was initially concerned about finding my place on campus and excelling in my academics, given the collegiate atmosphere. I also knew I was different from my peers, both physically (given my pronounced ethnic features) and emotionally, often making me stand out. Moreover, I was more worried about the challenges of learning in a new and online space, as well as being engaged and involved in my campus community.
As I immersed myself in my (synchronous) courses, I surprisingly discovered that I loved being a college student. (This is given the fact that I was not even sure I wanted to pursue college in the first place). While the first few semesters were online, I still found value in having intellectual conversations with my peers, exploring issues that mattered to me, and learning about different perspectives. Most importantly, I discovered a potential that would forever change me: the power of using my voice and sharing my story.
As my mentor, Professor Cathy Rorai often recounts, I initially questioned if it was appropriate to talk or write about my culture, immigrant journey, and personal experiences in an American college setting. But gradually, with her guidance and encouragement, I began sharing my story, and I was– praised for it. This instilled a newfound confidence in me. That I maybe belong and can leverage my non-traditional background on campus. Simply put, I realized the opportunity to take up space and contribute my experiences to shape both my academic field and campus life.
This singular year that I was initially worried about ultimately changed the trajectory of my college career and I believe – my life. Somehow, the experiences of being pushed by my professor instilled in me so much drive and determination to put myself out there and begin helping others to discover their voice and potential. I changed my major to Professional and Digital writing and became an Embedded Writing Specialist (EWS), a role similar to a teaching assistant. While my role was to mainly provide writing support to fellow students in their writing classes, I was also able to share my experiences and help them with the same self-doubt I had as a freshman. I realized that many first year students, particularly non-traditional ones such as first-generation students, immigrants, and adult learners, shared similar experiences to mine. As a result, they resonated with my story. I encouraged them to follow Professor Rorai’s advice to me: use your voice, tell your story, and take pride in it because it has value.
I was later humbled to be named as one of the recipients of the 2023 Keeper of the Dream (KOD) scholarship award for promoting racial and social justice on campus. Receiving the KOD award solidified that the same story I was hesitant to share would be the one for which I would later be celebrated and recognized.
Through my own experiences, my three years as an EWS, and my role as a peer mentor at the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, where I guide first-year students and advocate for students’ rights to their own language in my field, along with focusing on my capstone thesis on basic writers, I have come to understand the power of instilling confidence in students. This is because once students feel uplifted, they begin to flourish and thrive.
Furthermore, I believe the magic lies in the reciprocity of the institution, supporting them. The reciprocity is what helps forge a commitment and passion for campus, as it did for me. Finding my authentic voice not only helped me gain confidence, but it also connected me with faculty, staff, students, and campus resources which was fulfilling on its own. I went on to share my story (i.e. published memoir) and research with the broader community, connecting me with so many people. Through my memoir, I was able to cultivate a huge community of readers who resonated with my story. This would not have been possible without all the support and encouragement from my OU community including my professors and department.
Humbly put, the more engaged I became, the more success, recognition, connections, and opportunities I received. Sharing this is not to boast, but to emphasize the power of being engaged and involved. It was astonishing to me how powerful it could be to introduce myself to one person and where it could lead or what it could do. I always felt like it was a chain— that was one of my selling points as an admission ambassador: that we all knew each other, and that we were like family.
Throughout my time, I came to see that many college students often feel disengaged from their campus community, failing to see the value of their experiences and voices. However, I have found from my experience that the opportunities to be engaged on campus are abundant. Students must only take the first step such as getting an on campus job, joining a student organization, or collaborating with their professor. The sense of belonging, the opportunities, and accolades all eventually follow. As Martin Luther King Jr. once beautifully said, “You do not have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” In my experience, everything slowly and gradually fell into place, and I found a strong sense of reciprocation from all sides.
As I am getting ready to wrap up my college career and graduate in a few days, I reflect on everything OU has offered me. The level of support and engagement I received from my professors and Writing and Rhetoric department is indescribable. The connections I forged with the administration, who knew me by name, always offering to support me is something I do not think I would have gotten anywhere else. To my students, mentees, and prospective students and families who allowed me to be my enthusiastic self, showcasing my passion for OU as an admissions ambassador, I am grateful for you (mainly for not judging me). While I like to think I have done many fancy things at OU, nothing gave me more joy than touring future grizzlies around campus. Getting guests to see the potential of OU and sharing my experience is something I will always cherish. Funny enough, I have been teased many times by friends, family, and (foolish) men for being “too obsessed with OU.” They simply do not understand the OU pride I hold (sucks to be them).
For as much as I cherished everything this campus afforded me, I always felt like it loved me back in every way possible. I genuinely hope that every student that encounters OU, encounters it in the same way I did — filled with fondness, potential, and appreciation. To be fair, without the person I met on my first day of college at 18, Professor Rorai, I would not have achieved anything. Everything, from believing in my potential, offering me support in my writing, pushing me to be involved, and helping me put things in perspective. Most importantly, she taught me the value of embracing my uniqueness, making her my favorite person forever. I cannot thank you enough.
Also, I owe a huge amount of gratitude to my other professor, Dr. Felicita Arzu-Carmichael for all her support. From calling me a scholar, pushing my academic drive, seeing me beyond a student in her classroom, and fostering a deep bond that led to so many fruitful collaborations and projects. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To all my supervisors who hired me as a student leader, thank you for taking a chance on me. I am truly indebted to you.
While I might be leaving to pursue my dream of being a lawyer in a different institution, I will always have so much love for this place and its people, and of course forever be a golden grizzly at heart. Goodbyes have never been my forte and I struggle to accept that my time at OU has come to an end.
For now, at 22, it is not a goodbye — it is a see you later, OU.
Mena Hannakachl is a senior majoring in Professional and Digital writing. Her academic work explores DEI related topics within writing studies. Mena is also a published author. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to travel before attending law school in the fall of 2025. Mena enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and practicing makeup artistry.
