Alum uses time at Macomb to explore career options, perform with Macombers
Friday, September 12, 2025 12:00 AM
Sometimes the best decisions are the ones that take time to unfold. For Aiden Debbs, choosing Macomb wasn’t part of his original plan, but it turned out to be exactly what he needed.
“I was that person who wanted to go straight to a four-year university,” he said. “But coming to Macomb has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made for my education.”
Aiden, a 2023 graduate of Dakota High School, recently earned an associate degree in general studies and a music performance certificate at Macomb. He plans to transfer to Oakland University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social studies with the goal of becoming a high school history teacher.
Discovering his passion
Although his path is clearly defined now, it wasn’t always so clear, he said. Not sure what he wanted to study, Aiden enrolled at Macomb so he could have flexibility to discover his passion. At first, he thought about studying political science and even music, but ultimately discovered a passion to be a teacher.
“I’ve had a lot of great professors at Macomb. One used storytelling to teach history, and I found that very interesting. I would like to teach like him someday,” Aiden said.
Aiden still wanted to pursue music in some way as well. And Macomb gave Aiden, who sings and plays piano, bass and guitar, the time to explore this interest. A performer since his middle school years, Aiden had the opportunity to join The Macombers, Macomb’s show choir. During Aiden’s time with the group, he performed at many places including a Detroit Pistons game, a Navy graduation and more.
“Being in the Macombers has been the greatest experience of my life,” he said. “I’ve made lifelong friends and had incredible opportunities to perform at places I never would have thought of performing.”
Macomb is also a family tradition. Aiden’s aunt was a Macomber in the 1990s and encouraged him to join. She also participated in the Disney College Program, an experience Aiden is currently sharing as he works in Walt Disney World for the semester.
“It’s an amazing experience and I’m so thankful for the opportunities I received. This is because of my time at Macomb,” he said.
Scholarships and support
Aiden’s journey has been supported by scholarships, including one he earned when joining the Macombers and the Stanley J. Salter Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship. These scholarships have helped cover the cost of tuition, helping him to focus on learning and performing.
“Macomb has taken me so many places,” he said. “It gave me time to figure out what I wanted, helped me build a foundation and gave me experiences I’ll never forget.”
To learn more about transfer opportunities at Macomb please visit our transfer webpage.
“I was that person who wanted to go straight to a four-year university,” he said. “But coming to Macomb has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made for my education.”
Aiden, a 2023 graduate of Dakota High School, recently earned an associate degree in general studies and a music performance certificate at Macomb. He plans to transfer to Oakland University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social studies with the goal of becoming a high school history teacher.
Discovering his passion
Although his path is clearly defined now, it wasn’t always so clear, he said. Not sure what he wanted to study, Aiden enrolled at Macomb so he could have flexibility to discover his passion. At first, he thought about studying political science and even music, but ultimately discovered a passion to be a teacher.
“I’ve had a lot of great professors at Macomb. One used storytelling to teach history, and I found that very interesting. I would like to teach like him someday,” Aiden said.
Aiden still wanted to pursue music in some way as well. And Macomb gave Aiden, who sings and plays piano, bass and guitar, the time to explore this interest. A performer since his middle school years, Aiden had the opportunity to join The Macombers, Macomb’s show choir. During Aiden’s time with the group, he performed at many places including a Detroit Pistons game, a Navy graduation and more.
“Being in the Macombers has been the greatest experience of my life,” he said. “I’ve made lifelong friends and had incredible opportunities to perform at places I never would have thought of performing.”
Macomb is also a family tradition. Aiden’s aunt was a Macomber in the 1990s and encouraged him to join. She also participated in the Disney College Program, an experience Aiden is currently sharing as he works in Walt Disney World for the semester.
“It’s an amazing experience and I’m so thankful for the opportunities I received. This is because of my time at Macomb,” he said.
Scholarships and support
Aiden’s journey has been supported by scholarships, including one he earned when joining the Macombers and the Stanley J. Salter Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship. These scholarships have helped cover the cost of tuition, helping him to focus on learning and performing.
“Macomb has taken me so many places,” he said. “It gave me time to figure out what I wanted, helped me build a foundation and gave me experiences I’ll never forget.”
To learn more about transfer opportunities at Macomb please visit our transfer webpage.