Macomb Alum's Journey from Early College to Wayne State
Monday, August 18, 2025 12:00 AM
Recent Macomb graduate Abdullah Aljanabi started at Macomb as an Early College student before transitioning to full-time enrollment, where he became involved with student groups and advocacy. Now, he’s taking all those experiences and applying to Wayne State University.
As an Early College student, he earned college credit while still attending high school. “For me, Macomb’s Early College partnership with the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) made earning an associate degree during high school attainable and for free,” he said.
Abdullah found so much success in the program that by the time he graduated high school and became a full-time college student, he needed only one year of classes to earn his Associate of Arts and Sciences degree with a concentration in political science. Now that he has earned his degree, he plans to continue his educational journey at Wayne State University where he will be studying pre-law this fall.
Leadership and Advocacy at Macomb
While at Macomb, Abdullah was not only focused on academics. He was also greatly involved with Student Life and Leadership, organizing student events and supporting student organizations. Serving as a democracy fellow with the Fair Elections Center, Abdullah worked alongside faculty, local clerks, and nonprofit organizations focusing on efforts to increase student voter engagement and turnout for elections by providing education and assisting students in voter registration.
Recognition at the White House and Lansing
Abdullah’s contributions led to an invitation by the Students Learn, Students Vote Coalition to the White House on Sept. 17, 2024, where he joined other youth voting advocates from across the country to discuss student voting efforts and share the successful initiatives that he had aided in at Macomb.
This wouldn’t be his last invitation to a capitol building. On April 17, 2025, Abdullah joined Macomb President Dr. James Sawyer in Lansing for Michigan Community College Advocacy Day. Abdullah described the opportunity to speak directly with government officials about the importance of Dual-Enrollment and Early College programs as an unforgettable experience.
A Future in Law Inspired by Family
“Growing up in an immigrant family with parents who sacrificed their education and left their homeland in pursuit of better opportunities for their children, instilled in me a deep sense of purpose,” he said.
That sense of purpose motivated Abdullah to pursue a career in law, with a goal of helping others. “My uncle was an attorney, and he founded a nonprofit legal aid to help others, especially in times when they were desperate for representation. To be able to fulfill and hopefully fill those shoes would mean the world to me,” he said.
Through the culmination of all his many experiences and achievements, Abdullah’s belief in the power of education and the importance of college has grown stronger. “Advancing to Wayne State University with nearly a full ride has really given me the perception of education to be very valuable to accessing other opportunities that I wouldn't have if I didn't commit to an education,” he said.
As an Early College student, he earned college credit while still attending high school. “For me, Macomb’s Early College partnership with the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) made earning an associate degree during high school attainable and for free,” he said.
Abdullah found so much success in the program that by the time he graduated high school and became a full-time college student, he needed only one year of classes to earn his Associate of Arts and Sciences degree with a concentration in political science. Now that he has earned his degree, he plans to continue his educational journey at Wayne State University where he will be studying pre-law this fall.
Leadership and Advocacy at Macomb
While at Macomb, Abdullah was not only focused on academics. He was also greatly involved with Student Life and Leadership, organizing student events and supporting student organizations. Serving as a democracy fellow with the Fair Elections Center, Abdullah worked alongside faculty, local clerks, and nonprofit organizations focusing on efforts to increase student voter engagement and turnout for elections by providing education and assisting students in voter registration.
Recognition at the White House and Lansing
Abdullah’s contributions led to an invitation by the Students Learn, Students Vote Coalition to the White House on Sept. 17, 2024, where he joined other youth voting advocates from across the country to discuss student voting efforts and share the successful initiatives that he had aided in at Macomb.
This wouldn’t be his last invitation to a capitol building. On April 17, 2025, Abdullah joined Macomb President Dr. James Sawyer in Lansing for Michigan Community College Advocacy Day. Abdullah described the opportunity to speak directly with government officials about the importance of Dual-Enrollment and Early College programs as an unforgettable experience.
A Future in Law Inspired by Family
“Growing up in an immigrant family with parents who sacrificed their education and left their homeland in pursuit of better opportunities for their children, instilled in me a deep sense of purpose,” he said.
That sense of purpose motivated Abdullah to pursue a career in law, with a goal of helping others. “My uncle was an attorney, and he founded a nonprofit legal aid to help others, especially in times when they were desperate for representation. To be able to fulfill and hopefully fill those shoes would mean the world to me,” he said.
Through the culmination of all his many experiences and achievements, Abdullah’s belief in the power of education and the importance of college has grown stronger. “Advancing to Wayne State University with nearly a full ride has really given me the perception of education to be very valuable to accessing other opportunities that I wouldn't have if I didn't commit to an education,” he said.
If you are interested in opportunities for high school students at Macomb, visit our college for high school students page on our website.