Graduate Studies

��-Dearborn 2025 Graduate Open House (4.15.25)

jpow — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:07:56 +0000

��-Dearborn 2025 Graduate Open House (4.15.25) jpow Wed, 02/26/2025 - 10:07

Come see our beautiful campus and get information about the University of Michigan-Dearborn and your graduate program(s) of choice. Stay for as little or as long as you need. There will be an overview presentation at 5:30 pm and opportunities to speak with faculty, program administrators, and students/alums. Attendees will receive an application fee waiver.

2025-04-15T16:30:00-0400 to 2025-04-15T19:00:00-0400

United States

Office of Graduate Studies

313-583-6321

umd-graduatestudies@umich.edu

Graduate students

Graduate Studies

Open House

‘��-Dearborn is a respected institution . . . I feel very lucky to study here’

stuxbury — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 18:08:09 +0000

‘��-Dearborn is a respected institution . . . I feel very lucky to study here’ stuxbury Sun, 02/02/2025 - 13:08

Sambathchatovong Na is ��-Dearborn’s first Fulbright Scholar studying in a doctoral program. This point of pride can be added to other experiences he’s had. Na, who goes by the first name Vong, is a volunteer researcher with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, through their Asia-Pacific Regional Center of the CultureLink Network. Na has also heard President Barack Obama speak — and shook his hand.

Na, who has a reserved, humble nature, appreciates the experiences that he’s had. He sees them as milestones on his path to help others.“President Obama spoke about how we need to work together to effectively solve problems and he encouraged us to not sit back, but to get involved,” says Na, a cybersecurity professional who was selected as a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative fellow in 2015. This is a still-active program created by the Obama administration that aims to build leadership capabilities and cross-border cooperation for solving global challenges. “I want to be a part of advancing cybersecurity technology — which changes second by second — while also helping shape how it is used through public policy.”

Na is learning to do this through his latest endeavors — studying in the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Computer Information Systems doctoral program as a Fulbright Scholar, with CIS Professor Di Ma as his advisor. Ma is a cybersecurity and information assurance expert.

Na wants to strengthen his country’s education and legislation in the always-evolving industry by seeing how other nations fight hackers and enforce the safety measures in ways that work for the citizens.“Cambodia, my country, has not passed cybersecurity laws to protect our infrastructure yet. It’s in the process. I’m hoping, with my combined experiences, that I’m a person who can assist with this,” he says. “I am very appreciative that I am here to earn my degree and Dr. Ma is helping me meet my research goals.” His goals include drafting a cybersecurity framework for Cambodia that balances government and citizen needs when it comes to security and privacy, along with appropriate enforcement. Na also hopes that his degree will assist him in contributing to Cambodia’s foreign policy direction in cyber diplomacy.

Na has worked in the cybersecurity field in Cambodia for nearly a decade, both in the private and public sector. He established information technology security and IT governance departments for a bank in his country, Na has served as a cybersecurity-advising official for Cambodia's deputy prime minister cabinet. And Na teaches at two universities — American University of Phnom Penh and Royal University of Phnom Penh — to develop the next generation of Cambodia's cybersecurity experts and grow interest in the field.

“I started with an interest in the technology aspect, but the more we learn and things change — like AI and data-science mining — the more I’ve become interested in the public policy surrounding it,” he says, noting that the U.S. is a good place to study because there are many U.S. protection laws related to cybersecurity.

When applying for the Fulbright award, Na had his sights set on ��-Dearborn after reading about the university’s faculty expertise in the computer science field and seeing the number of research publications. “I looked for the best programs in the United States. ��-Dearborn is a respected institution in my field with professors who have published research in prestigious journals and have connections to industry. I feel very lucky to study here,” he says.

Na earned his undergraduate degree from Royal University of Phnom Penh and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from the University of Southampton in England, where he attended as a Chevening Scholar, which is a fully funded award to study in the United Kingdom.

“I had dreams to study in other countries for programming skills, networking and learning how other countries do things so I can help my country build a framework for cybersecurity. The resources for education in cybersecurity are limited in Cambodia, so I kept looking for ways to go out and bring what I learn back with me so I can teach others,” Na says. “It’s hard to study abroad when you don’t have the money. I kept applying even when I didn’t have success at first. You don’t give up on your dreams.”

Na’s parents must have known about their son’s commitment and drive from the beginning — as evidenced by his name. “My first name, ‘Sambathachatovong,’ is three words put together,” Na says. “‘Sambath’ symbolizes a richness or a wealth. ‘Chato’ is because I am the fourth born. ‘Vong,’ which is short for ‘Vong Trokaul', is for family tree. It’s about working together to bring about a richness. It doesn’t need to be about money, it can be about knowledge or community.”

Now in his second semester at ��-Dearborn, Na says he has met friends, enjoys the campus and has the best of all worlds by being a part of the U-M system. “Both campuses are beautiful and provide very good, but different, things. Going to Ann Arbor is great for being in a busy place and meeting up with friends. Staying in Dearborn is nice because it is peaceful and welcoming and your professors and colleagues look out for you.”

In addition to traveling to Ann Arbor — Na first took the train, which is walking distance from campus, but now has a car — he’s planning to see other parts of Michigan. He especially wants to travel to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to see its forests, rock formations and waterfalls.

Na shares his fun Michigan adventures and plans with his family and friends in Cambodia and looks forward to the day when he can share his completed research work too.“I’ve been building layers of education for many years to help me become a qualified person to help advise my country,” he says. “I am grateful for all of my experiences, but my time at ��-Dearborn is especially important. Earning my PhD here is a big step forward when it comes to reaching my goals.”

Story by Sarah Tuxbury

Graduate Research

International

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graduate Studies

Off

Sun, 02/02/2025 - 18:07

Meet Sambathchatovong Na, ��-Dearborn’s first doctoral Fulbright Scholar. He’s a cybersecurity professional from Cambodia who’s in CECS’ computer information systems program.

Sambathchatovong Na, who goes by Vong, is ��-Dearborn's first doctoral Fulbright student. Photo by Annie Barker

First-year enrollment is highest in university history

stuxbury — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:05:59 +0000

First-year enrollment is highest in university history stuxbury Wed, 09/27/2023 - 15:05

Fall 2023 enrollment highlights:

Largest first-year class enrollment in history
Transfer student numbers are up 7%, a second year of growth
Credit hours are up, meaning more full-time students
The incoming class GPA remained 3.7 and the class is more diverse
Graduate enrollment numbers are down
Overall enrollment down 2% from last year
Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and state investment driving undergraduate increases
Four-year graduation rates increased 5% over last year’s 3% increase, which is contributing to fewer students on campus

More first-year undergraduate students enrolled at ��-Dearborn this fall than any other year in the university’s 64-year history.

Up 15% over last fall, the newest Dearborn Wolverine class came in at 1,157 students. The previous First Time In Any College (FTIAC) enrollment record was 1,107 in Fall 2017.

Course loads up, state support making a difference

The percentage of undergraduate students taking full course loads — which often leads to a more focused graduation path — is 79% in 2023, compared to 76% in 2022. In addition, the four-year graduation rate for FTIAC students saw an increase of nearly 5% over the prior year’s increase of 3%, and the transfer three-year completion went up nearly 4%.

“Our historic first-year enrollment is the result of hard work on behalf of the entire enrollment management team, and faculty and staff across campus. Enrollment and student success are priorities for all of us and we all play a part in the student experience,” said Chancellor Domenico Grasso. “Our shift to block tuition rates and other student success initiatives are having a positive impact not only on enrollment, but graduation rates as well.”

Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Melissa Stone said she can point to a few reasons for the record FTIAC enrollment. One is the university’s more targeted marketing approach. “It’s been three years since we implemented customized communication to prospective students so we share information that is most relevant to their needs. The students we began building relationships with in their sophomore year of high school are now entering college,” Stone said. “This is an example of a longer-term strategic enrollment plan initiative that is now yielding results.” The customized communication is one facet of the university’s comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, which provides a process and framework for enrollment success.

Stone said the State of Michigan’s Michigan Achievement Scholarship also played a role in the increased number of students. The scholarship offers up to $5,500 per year, for up to five years, to Michigan high school graduates attending a Michigan public university. Stone said more than 60% of first-year ��-Dearborn students received this award.

State organizations also continue to support access to higher education. For example, a new statewide Michigan Assured Admission Pact, which was announced last week by the Michigan Association of State Universities, will help streamline the college admissions process. Beginning in Fall 2024, 10 participating MAAP universities, including ��-Dearborn, will admit in-state high school graduates who have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

More students attending full time, graduating sooner

In overall Fall 2023 numbers, ��-Dearborn’s enrollment is down 2% when counting the number of students, but up 1% in credit hours. Stone said the slight enrollment decline is in part due to a piece of good news: students are graduating sooner. “It’s great to report that more students are attending college full time and graduating at faster rates. That is what we are here to help them do,” Stone said. “As positive as this news is, it is a reason why overall enrollment decreased a couple percentage points.”

Fall 2023 student enrollment is 8,037 students (6,071 undergraduates, 1,966 graduate-level), compared to 8,224 in Fall 2022. The incoming class saw a 1% increase in students of color. The total student population increased from 29% to 31% students of color.

Contributing to the overall enrollment decline is a decrease in graduate-level student enrollment, Stone said. Comparing domestic in-state graduate-level enrollment to pre-pandemic levels (Fall 2019), new graduate student enrollment is down 32% and down 45% among domestic out-of-state students, Stone said. Data from research centers like the National Student Clearinghouse has shown shrinking graduate enrollment is a national trend. Stone said factors may include steady employment rates, a labor shortage and experts forecasting a recession by early 2024.

On the international graduate enrollment side, Stone expected to see some decline after Fall 2022’s record numbers, which were attributed to a pent-up pandemic-related demand. When compared to pre-pandemic numbers (Fall 2019), however, Stone said international graduate enrollment increased 19%. In addition, the two-year graduation rate for masters-level graduate students saw an increase of 22% over the prior year, a direct result of more full-time international graduate students who graduate on time, but this also impacts overall enrollment.

Stone said the university is addressing the graduate enrollment challenge by seeking feedback from industry partners to further learn about educational needs, assessing current programs and restructuring a top-level leadership position. Showing the university’s commitment to graduate-level education, Vice Provost for Research Armen Zakarian was appointed the dean of Graduate Studies earlier this month. Zakarian will provide support for the development and implementation of new graduate academic programs and the revision of existing programs.

Investments in student support continue

Stone emphasized that the university continues to invest in undergraduate programs and resources. The university offers resource-connecting initiatives like the Wolverine Mentor Collective and Learn4ward, and scholarships like the Dearborn Comeback and the Go Blue Guarantee. Dearborn Support offers assistance with non-academic needs to keep students on the path to graduation.

The university’s record first-year enrollment is something to celebrate, but Stone — and nearly everyone paying attention to higher education trends — wonders: will the boost in first-year student enrollment across the state continue?

According to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the number of high school graduates in Michigan is expected to decline by 11.4% from 2022 to 2037. However, with only about half of students in Michigan pursuing college (52.8% in 2022), there is room for growth. And Fall 2023 FTIAC numbers show that with state investment, students are interested in enhancing their knowledge and skillset.

“I’m proud of the work done at ��-Dearborn and throughout the state to better connect students with ways to make college accessible. The people on this campus know how access to education can change the trajectory of a student’s life,” Stone said. “We have strong students who are here to succeed, and wonderful faculty and staff who are giving their all to help these students reach their dreams.”

Get more information on ��-Dearborn’s Fall 2023 enrollment and trends.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Enrollment

University-wide

Graduate Studies

New Student Engagement

Undergraduate Admissions

Off

Wed, 09/27/2023 - 19:05

��-Dearborn welcomes a record-breaking incoming class. Also, Fall 2023 numbers show an increase in transfers, a decrease in graduate students and the impact of state support.

Photos of students walking on campus during the Fall 2023 semester. Fall 2023 shows record enrollment for first-year students. Photos by Michigan Photography

Thank you, ��-Dearborn!

stuxbury — Mon, 01 May 2023 15:41:40 +0000

Thank you, ��-Dearborn! stuxbury Mon, 05/01/2023 - 11:41

I barely knew anyone when I arrived here from India in August 2021 to prepare for the first semester of my master’s program in Automotive Systems Engineering. Leaving my family and friends behind and moving to a new country to study and grow was practically restarting my life from scratch. I did have the support of my family and loved ones that kept me going, and I am fortunate enough to have had it from day one.

To my fellow international students: I commend your bravery and resolve to move so far away from home and be determined to grow your career exactly the way you want. I also commend your faith that you can create a home wherever you go.

To incoming international students: I want to tell you that it gets easier with time. I still remember spending my first week or so understanding just how “cheap” or “expensive” things are based on dollar amounts and using my absolute willpower not to convert currencies. Pro tip: Don’t convert dollars to your money. Ever. The sooner you start living like an American, at least in my opinion, the easier it will be to integrate yourself into the American culture and way of life. As long as your focus is clear, the results will show in whatever you pursue — even simple things like grocery shopping, figuring out utilities and getting around town to explore.

With every new experience, you learn and grow more confident — which makes you want to learn and explore more. One of my favorite memories was taking a road trip with friends where we covered six states in just a week. I also went to Mackinac Island and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Both were very beautiful. I’m also proud to have earned the (M)Talent honor, maintaining a high GPA and landing a job in the automotive industry where I’m working on driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles.

To all students: Even though there’s stress from exams and projects, you will fondly reflect on the fun instances in your story when you look back. I would change nothing if I had to go back and redo my chapter here in Dearborn, from living here to studying, to the classes I took, the friends I made and the opportunities I dove headfirst into. I didn’t know what the outcome would be — I was in it for the experience. Everything you decide to partake in is worth the effort. You can only gain as much from your student experience as the effort you put into it.

��-Dearborn has something for everyone. You need only try to find what resonates with you, be it clubs, organizations, academic and cultural programs, research opportunities and more. ��-Dearborn truly provides the potential to make your journey here unique.

This rollercoaster ride has been nothing short of an exhilarating one. I got jobs in the U.S., first on campus and then in the “real world.” And I collaborated and worked on a dozen projects and research over two years, trying out different programs to help me prepare for my career and more. As I leave my school behind, I remind myself that I am and will be a lifelong Wolverine.

To my friends, professors and staff: You’ve made a difference in my life. I bid adieu for now, but it will never be a goodbye. There will always be a “see you next time.” Go Blue! Go Dearborn!

Commencement

International

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graduate Studies

Off

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 15:41

Class of 2023 graduate Rudra Mehta, a Reporter editorial assistant, reflects on his experiences that he gained as an international student and Dearborn Wolverine.

Rudra Mehta earned his graduate degree on April 30.

'The future belongs to you'

stuxbury — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:37:38 +0000

'The future belongs to you' stuxbury Sun, 04/30/2023 - 14:37

Maize and blue pride filled the Fieldhouse. Families held rose bouquets. Young children clapped for their parents. And newly conferred graduates held up decorated graduation caps thanking those who helped them along their educational journey.

On Sunday, April 30, 1133 Dearborn Wolverines — along with their supporters — celebrated their 1151 earned degrees.

Among the people cheering for the newest ��-Dearborn alumni was keynote speaker Marc Howze, a 1986 graduate. The first in his family to go to college, Howze said ��-Dearborn changed his life. The education the Detroit native earned set him up to succeed in graduate programs at Duke University and U-M Law School. He’s traveled the world. And he holds a global leadership position at John Deere, which Fortune Magazine calls one of the world’s most admired companies.

The Commencement speaker then let the Class of 2023 in on a little secret: When Howze was in their mortarboards decades earlier, he didn’t know that all of the above accomplishments would be part of his story.

“On the outside, you look good. But on the inside, I know many of you are grappling with what the future holds for you." In the face of that anxiety, Howze had a message: "Not only does the future belong to you, you are prepared for the future.”

“Make no mistake about it, you have earned and received a world class education," said Howze, who is John Deere’s Office of the Chairman senior adviser. In this role, he provides counsel to the CEO and other leaders, which includes supporting advocacy efforts. "The University of Michigan-Dearborn has prepared you for what lies beyond these walls."

Read Howze's speech.

��-Dearborn hosted three commencement ceremonies on Sunday. The morning ceremony recognized graduate students, who earned masters, specialist and doctoral degrees. The 1 p.m. event lauded graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. The 5 p.m. festivities honored the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Business.

See photos of the big day or watch the recorded ceremonies on YouTube and Facebook.

Graduation day started with high energy – even at the 9 a.m. ceremony, airhorn noises, whistles and name shouts could be heard throughout the Fieldhouse as students walked up to the stage.

That excitement was felt around the world too. Watching the livestream, Otaru Victoria from Nigeria commented, “We are so proud of you.” From India, Dattu Palde extended congratulations to all the graduates.

In the Fieldhouse, keynote speaker Howze spoke to an attentive audience and shared what he’s learned through his 40-plus years of educational and professional experiences. Among the wisdom given, Howze said there will be obstacles that may make the new Dearborn graduates consider giving up on their goals — and it’s important to be true to yourself and to keep going.

Howze came to campus in 1981, only three years after Dearborn Mayor Orville Hubbard, who was known for his segregationist policies, ended his role as mayor. As a Black student, Howze said he experienced racism during those college years and thought about dropping out. As he contemplated what to do, Howze went to his eastside Detroit church, where an older woman took $5 from her change purse and handed it to Howze. She said she wanted to help because she didn’t have the opportunity to go to school. Howze reflected, “At that moment, I realized I was the embodiment of the dreams of a generation. And here I was, about to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime because I felt uncomfortable."

Howze said he gathered himself armed with "faith, fortitude, intellect, hustle and tenacity." He said, "rather than leave, I got involved in the university community, student government, got involved with student activism. I met professors like Elaine Clark and the late Bernie Klein, who pushed me and inspired me and told me what was right about me and that I could make a difference."

By staying, Howze said he got a world-class education that gave him a strong foundation for his future success. Howze realized that he could be the future — and he’d work to make the people who didn’t agree reevaluate their biases and who resisted justice efforts a remnant of the past. As Howze shared his experience, the graduates in the audience erupted into applause and cheers for the internationally recognized leader, who continues to lead efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Undergraduate student speaker April Marvin, a 2023 CASL graduate, walked a different path than Howze, but she echoed the importance of action and voice. “Your voice is the catalyst to change, creating a movement, sharing your passions, and staking your claim on the future. Even if you are afraid, and even if your voice is quiet or shaky, it has immense power,” she said.

Marvin first attended college 20 years ago. She left due to personal struggles and obligations — but returned to prove to herself and her family, and in particular her grandparents, that she could succeed in an environment she found challenging. Not only did she accomplish her academic goals, she advocated for underrepresented groups by helping restart an organization for nontraditional students and helping organize a free professional clothing event so students with financial need could have outfits for interviews, internships, the office and more.

“We have learned…to celebrate the diversity and difference in everyone we encounter,” Marvin said. “If you take anything from ��-Dearborn today it should be that no matter where you are, who you are, or what surrounds you, that your voice can move mountains.”

But moving mountains is not a small feat, and that change can be intimidating and a little frightening. Graduate student speaker Hiba Qamar wanted the Class of 2023 to remember that there are times they will fail — because everyone does. But it’s what comes next that counts.

“Even in moments where you feel discouraged and fall, don’t ever quit. Sometimes failing at something is the best way for you to reset course and figure out what you’re doing next,” she said. “Looking back, taking risks is the reason I landed my dream job, got the opportunity to start grad school and found mentors that have been there to support and guide me in my career. Remember, the chances you take, the people you meet, and what you believe will define you.”

Chancellor Domenico Grasso congratulated students at the three ceremonies and presided over the moment where they turned their tassels from the right to the left: “This is the day that you have worked toward…you should be proud of your accomplishments," he said. After giving kudos to the graduates and recognizing their families and friends for supporting them, Grasso continued, "You will have a chance to make a positive change in the world. When that opportunity arises, please seize it…Go big, go proud and forever ‘Go Blue!’”

Speaking to the Class of 2023, Howze told the ��-Dearborn Wolverines to never wonder if they belong — they do. Not only that, the collegiate journey they experienced has prepared them. “The future is yours — even if you don’t exactly know what to do with it just yet,” he said. “As you stand gazing into a future of infinite possibilities, remember that your best days lay ahead. Remember to be a participant, not a passenger. Help to shape the future. Why? Because the future belongs to you.”

Photos by Michigan Photography/ Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Commencement

Student Success

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

College of Business

College of Education, Health, and Human Services

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graduate Studies

Off

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 18:37

��-Dearborn celebrated more than 1130 graduates — and the 1151 degrees conferred — during Sunday’s three commencement ceremonies.

Through education, student plans to create a mental health support network 7,000 miles away

stuxbury — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:40:35 +0000

Through education, student plans to create a mental health support network 7,000 miles away stuxbury Wed, 03/22/2023 - 15:40

As a therapist in Pakistan, ��-Dearborn graduate student Haijira Baig connected homeless transgender people to nongovernmental organizations in an effort to get them access to housing, healthcare, education and community. She provided resources and support to married women in abusive homes. And she worked in a COVID isolation center providing care to sick people from the pandemic’s earliest days.

But Baig realized that she needed to broaden her credentials and connections to better help people in her rural Pakistani community.

“I was one of the pioneer therapists in my area who worked with people who had trauma and mental illness where getting help is stigmatized. I realized that I couldn’t reach the number of people that I wanted to reach, especially with the lack of resources available and the stigma people seeking help face,” she said. “We need health policies and intervention plans. So I wrote a proposal asking for the regional government (in Northern Pakistan) to consider putting counselors in schools and hospitals, so people can get treatment sooner. Mental health care can be prioritized and stigma can be reduced. But to do that, people need to see it as part of their everyday life. Access is essential, as is educating families and others on how to become a support network."

As a therapist, Hajira Baig spoke to people in Pakistan about COVID.

Realizing that a graduate degree and having global connections may help her move these changes forward, Baig researched graduate programs around the world and applied for a Fulbright Scholars Award, a prestigious grant that would help with tuition costs and support her research work.

Baig’s No. 1 choice for a grad degree? ��-Dearborn. She said the specialization in health psychology, the quality of faculty research and the support master’s students receive when conducting research caught her attention.

“Knowing how to properly conduct research and analyze the data gives more accurate outcomes,” said Baig, who received a two-year Fulbright Scholar Award. “I am passionate about research and finding answers to unexplored phenomena related to human behavior, but due to limited access and competent supervision I was not able to fulfill that dream. But at ��-Dearborn, my thesis adviser (Psychology Professor Pam McAuslan) sat down with me. She’s there every step of the process and taught me how to find articles, collect data, write academically and more.”

Also included in the process is learning how to publicly present research.

To sharpen her speaking skills and showcase her research, Baig participated in the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition on campus — and took first place.

The campus event, which took place March 9, was sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research. Baig will present her thesis at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools regional 3MT Competition at the end of March. The 3MT Competition, originally developed by The University of Queensland, cultivates academic, presentation and research communication skills with students presenting their work succinctly and in an easy-to-understand way. Baig’s research, “Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Post-Traumatic Growth Among Emerging Adults” explores effectiveness of coping mechanisms and strategies of young adults, including spirituality and religiosity. She recently finished data collection and will continue the work through the summer.

Three Minute Thesis Competition participants gave presentations in Kochoff Hall on March 9.

Baig said the public speaking opportunity also gave her experience presenting research in English, which is her fourth language.

Baig said if she wants to connect with American agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, or partner with English-speaking researchers, she needs to effectively communicate in the language. “I know I can write well in English, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to engage with a crowd and present my research in an easy-to-understand way, especially under the constraints of time,” she said. “Now that I’ve done that, I’ve seen a change in myself. I feel more confident.”

Knowing the power of education, Baig, who graduates April 30, plans to continue her psychology studies and pursue a Ph.D. Simultaneously, she’ll keep working toward her goal of having a mental health care infrastructure in Pakistan’s rural mountainous areas by working to make it standard for counselors to be placed in schools and hospitals.

Baig said she’s worked with Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination previously through her work as a therapist. As a mental health lead for the Gilgit, Pakistan local health board, Baig organized mental health awareness sessions. She also worked as a research psychologist for a nonprofit organization that focused on uplifting the rural communities near Gilgit, Baltistan and Citral in an effort to reduce poverty.

Baig knows the importance of strong support systems and guidance because she’s had examples in her own life. As a child, Baig saw how her grandfather, Hifz Ullah Baig, would listen to the concerns of the people in their Pakistani community and counsel them. He’d encourage Hajira Baig to sit with him and observe. “He wasn’t trained, but he had a gift for listening to people’s problems and helping them work through them,” Baig said. “I learned a lot about the power of being present and how vital it is for us to have supportive people in our lives.”

Baig said she’s had the goal of helping people since she was a child. She said her degree and the training she received at ��-Dearborn will help her make a difference more than 7,000 miles away: “This is about becoming a better version of myself so that I can help people become better versions of themselves by getting them access to the resources and care that they need. The dots are being connected and the things my grandfather and parents taught me are becoming a reality.”

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Academic Excellence

Graduate Research

Student Success

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Graduate Studies

Off

Wed, 03/22/2023 - 19:39

Graduate student Hajira Baig created a research project to better understand mental health needs and coping strategies in an effort to better assist people in need and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness in rural Pakistan.

Graduate student Hajira Baig wants to help educate others about mental health to reduce stigma and create support networks. Photo/Sarah Tuxbury

What’s driving the international student boom at ��-Dearborn?

lblouin — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 20:01:02 +0000

What’s driving the international student boom at ��-Dearborn? lblouin Wed, 01/11/2023 - 15:01

Bharat Kudachi, an electrical engineering master’s student and recent president of the Indian Graduate Student Association (IGSA), was one of the first people to notice that 2022 might be an explosive year for international student enrollment. The particular leading indicator he was watching was a surging number of students on the IGSA WhatsApp group, which most incoming Indian students join so they can pick the brains of current students. On the one hand, the growth was exciting. But because IGSA also helps students with things like rides from the airport and finding housing, Kudachi and IGSA treasurer Siddharth Jain immediately began thinking about logistics. In particular, Kudachi was concerned about finding everyone a place to live. Here at ��-Dearborn, of course, the university doesn't operate any residential housing, so international students typically land either at The Union or two nearby apartment complexes with a university-operated shuttle service. Kudachi checked, however, and those three venues were already running at or near capacity. So in April, he decided to drop a quick email to Trista Wdziekonski, executive director of graduate enrollment management, just to make sure this issue was on the university’s radar. Kudachi remembers the subject line included the phrase, “Quick Reply Needed.”

Kudachi got that quick reply. Not surprisingly, Wdziekonski had been closely watching the numbers too, and she was also seeing a potentially historic international student class on the horizon. During the pandemic, most universities, including ��-Dearborn, saw a drop in international student enrollment. Now, applications were not only rebounding but blowing past pre-pandemic levels. Because international students tend to apply to a greater number of schools and admitted students must also complete additional steps like I-20 forms and visa interviews, Wdziekonski knew that the number of applicants doesn’t translate into number of enrolled students. But if historic trends held, it could easily be the biggest class of international students ever at the university. When everything fell into place in August, that’s exactly what materialized. At the start of the Fall 2022 semester, 870 international students on F-1 or J-1 visas were taking classes at ��-Dearborn, comprising more than 10% of total enrollment at the university. Three hundred sixty one of them, or around 40%, were brand new this year.

Dig into the numbers and you’ll find lots of interesting storylines. As in past years, students from India are by far the biggest group by country. They make up 71% of the total, indicating the strength and durability of one of our longest-running international student pipelines. Also dominant: the College of Engineering and Computer Science, home to 82% of our international students, which is a clear demonstration that our STEM programs continue to be the big draw. Graduate students make up 88% of the total, which interestingly, runs counter to the nationwide trend, which is tilted 60/40 toward undergraduates. The group is also increasingly diverse. 2022’s class has students from 49 countries. And though students from India are the biggest community, eight countries are represented by populations in the double digits, four of which have more than 20 students (China, Lebanon, Oman and Nigeria). On the flip side, for 23 students, they’re the only ones from their country. For another five students, there’s just one other person from their country

International student enrollment by country

As you can see, students from India make up the vast majority of international students at ��-Dearborn. The "Other" category, shown above, represents students from Albania (3), Brazil (3), Egypt (3), Italy (3), Singapore (3), Argentina (2), Armenia (2), Sri Lanka (2), Thailand (2), Turkey (2), Botswana (1), Costa Rica (1), Ethiopia (1), Ghana (1), Indonesia (1), Ivory Coast (1), Japan (1), Kenya (1), Kuwait (1), Mexico (1), Norway (1), Peru (1), Philippines (1), Romania (1), Russia (1), Rwanda (1), Saudi Arabia (1), South Africa (1), UAE (1), Venezuela (1), West Bank (1), Yemen (1) and Zimbabwe (1). Graphic by Violet Dashi

So what’s driving this big uptick in enrollment? Wdziekonski and her colleague Francisco Lopez, ��-Dearborn’s director of international affairs, cite a range of factors. As with many things, the pandemic is still exerting an influence. Specifically, travel restrictions, drawn-out timelines for student visa processing, and general financial instability over the past two years caused many international students to delay their study abroad plans. Now, with COVID-19 reaching a less disruptive endemic phase and visa processing getting back to normal, Lopez says the dam of “pent-up demand” is bursting. Nationwide, international student enrollment at American universities nearly bounced back to pre-pandemic levels this year. On average, colleges reported an average increase of 7% in new international students, though levels have varied by institution.

Still, this national trend doesn’t explain everything that’s happening at ��-Dearborn, where total international enrollment is up more than 45% over pre-pandemic levels. Though it’s hard to say definitively, Lopez and Wdziekonski suspect a couple contributing factors. Perhaps most importantly, engineering and computer science continue to be the most popular disciplines for international students nationwide, and we happen to have strong programs in these areas. These disciplines are also popular among students from India, where we’re drawing the lion’s share of our students. In addition, Lopez says we have very high rates of students landing professional opportunities outside the university, both during their studies, known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and after they graduate, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT). “In a normal pre-pandemic semester, it was common to process 60 to 80 CPTs, and the most pre-pandemic CPT authorizations we processed was about 100,” Lopez says. “This fall, we authorized over 180 — about an 80% increase. So out of 398 eligible students, about 46% received CPT.” Lopez says stats are a little harder to gauge for OPT, the U.S. government program that allows students up to 36 months of post-graduation employment without having to change their immigration status. But participation is undoubtedly high at ��-Dearborn: Since 2019, we’ve averaged about 440 OPT students per semester. “Our international students are getting incredible placements while they’re studying with us and killer jobs after they graduate,” Wdziekonski says. “And that’s about the best marketing you can have for incoming students.”

In fact, Wdziekonski and Lopez say word of mouth is likely another big reason for the recent surge in international student enrollment. When students have a positive experience at ��-Dearborn, they naturally tell their friends and family about it, which spreads the word to new potential students in a very authentic and organic way. As with other types of immigration, sometimes populations reach a critical mass, and an area becomes known more generally for being a welcoming spot for a particular group. We could be reaching such a tipping point, for example, with career-focused Indian students who are looking for programs in engineering and computer science. And even among our students who are the only ones from their countries, Wdziekonski says she knows of at least one new student who’s “nursing along five or six others” back home who are now interested in studying here. “If a student has a good experience, that word of mouth thing can happen really quickly,” she says.

International student enrollment by college

Graphic by Violet Dashi

The new ways we’re getting the word out to international students could also be playing a role. During the pandemic, info sessions for prospective students all flipped to an online format, and Wdziekonski says this model frankly worked better for international students. Lopez says they’ve also worked really hard to include topics that transcend academics. “We’re including more information about the visa process, or how to find housing, or making sure that students are well-prepared for life in Dearborn and know what to expect before they arrive. And you see students in these sessions using the chat to network and share their WhatsApp groups, which I think is a really positive sign.” Parallel to some of the challenges faced by first-generation domestic college students, Lopez says this style of outreach and networking can be particularly crucial for students coming from countries that don’t have an established history of sending students to American universities.

Unsurprisingly, this growth spurt hasn’t occurred without some growing pains. As Kudachi anticipated, housing was the biggest challenge this fall. As the numbers of new students continued to rise, and with spots in the usual apartment complexes filling up, he and other members of IGSA did what they do and flipped into troubleshooting mode. They started calling around and, before long, discovered a fourth apartment building near campus that still had dozens of leases available. He looped in folks at the university, who stepped up to help with some additional logistics, like convincing the building manager that an I-20 form is a good stand-in for a credit report. The facilities team joined the effort and arranged a new shuttle route. And IGSA opened up their WhatsApp group so students from any country could network, find roommates and find a couch to crash on temporarily if all else failed. “Obviously, it can be very stressful to have your plane ticket and not know where you’re going to be staying when you arrive,” Kudachi says. “We didn’t want to leave anyone in that situation. So we put a call out to all the members of IGSA, and so many people volunteered to share their homes. I think being a student, we’ve all been in the same place, so they understand what it feels like.”

Under Bharat Kudachi's leadership, the Indian Graduate Student Association stepped up to help find housing for a historic class of international students. Photo courtesy Bharat Kudachi

In the end, everyone found a permanent place to stay, though some students did end up outside the four-building network that’s served by the university shuttle. For these students, Uber is often their costly alternative to get back and forth to campus. Even for students living in places served by the shuttle, transportation can be a regular challenge. The shuttle takes students to and from campus several times a day, and on the weekends, to three different grocery stores, including an Indian grocery. But outside of that, students are on their own for say, a Target run, a mid-week resupply, a trip to a restaurant or a visit to the doctor. Kudachi says students more often turn to the WhatsApp group to catch a ride with someone who has a car rather than public transportation, which he says just takes way too long to get anywhere. In fact, Lopez and Wdziekonski say housing and transportation really need to be thought of as a single challenge. “I think that’s the big question: Is there a certain capacity or limit when it comes to our international student enrollment, given the unique situation of our campus?” Lopez says. “We’re a commuter campus, there’s not very good public transit in our area, students from abroad don’t typically have cars, there are only so many units within walking distance, and even fewer that are served by a university shuttle. So it’s a really interesting opportunity, because the demand appears to be there. But it’s probably going to take a creative solution.”

On that front, Wdziekonski says the university will soon be launching a working group to deal directly with this housing-transportation dynamic. They’re currently looking into a better system for roommate matching, as well as new agreements with leasing companies to hold more spots for international students. But given the additional complicating factor of a nationwide housing shortage, more outside-of-the-box options are also on the table. For example, their team recently learned of an apartment building that has traditionally served senior residents that had enough openings to potentially justify another shuttle route. Similarly, there are neighborhoods within commuting distance to Dearborn, like Detroit’s Rosedale Park, with high concentrations of seniors who would like to “age in place” in their homes, but who might benefit financially from renting a room to a young person. For Wdziekonski, the immediate question is whether these kinds of nontraditional housing situations would appeal to our students. And even if they did, any location beyond walking distance would still need an accompanying transportation solution.

As the university and student organization partners like IGSA sort through these larger logistical issues, they’re also focused on improving the non-academic experience of international students. As a newly arriving Indian student, you may not face a huge challenge finding a community. But if you’re the only one from your country, it can be far trickier to make friends and build professional connections. To that end, the university helped launch the Graduate International Student Organization (GISO) in 2019, which Wdziekonski says was inspired by the widely successful IGSA model. And they’re constantly trying to think of new ways to expand cultural opportunities for students, like planned trips to downtown Detroit. This year, the Student Activities Board organized a trip to Cedar Point, which was hugely successful and disproportionately enjoyed by international students.

Francisco Lopez, ��-Dearborn’s director of international affairs, says the university is increasingly focused on enriching the non-academic lives of international students. Lawn games available for free checkout at the Student Engagement Center give students new ways to hang out and be social on campus. Photo courtesy Office of International Affairs

Amidst these uncertainties and challenges, there is no doubt opportunity. This surge in international students accompanies the start of a long-anticipated decline in domestic student enrollment, owing to Michigan’s aging population and shrinking classes of high school seniors. Having solid plans to accommodate growth in international student enrollment could be key to maintaining the university’s financial health and growing its cultural vitality. Many of the details of that effort will fall to folks like Lopez and Wdziekonski, who tend to mull over the finer points of this puzzle even when they’re not at work. But in some sense, it will be on all of us. At a recent town hall, in a discussion of hybrid work, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Gabriella Scarlatta reminded faculty and staff that our international students are one of the reasons to have a strong physical presence on campus. “If they are here, our campus is all they have,” she said. “They don't have another community, they don’t have their family to go back to, they don’t have their friends to go back to. They only have us. That’s why we need to show up and be here for them.” Now representing 10% of the student population and growing, it's a group that's increasingly defining the identity of ��-Dearborn.

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Story by Lou Blouin

International Affairs

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Wed, 01/11/2023 - 19:53

The university welcomed its biggest class of international students in 2022-23. What’s behind the surge — and is it a sign of things to come?

Following a huge post-pandemic bounce in enrollment, international students now represent one in 10 students at ��-Dearborn. Photo courtesy Office of International Affairs

Two new CECS master’s programs to launch this fall

rudmehta — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 18:09:35 +0000

Two new CECS master’s programs to launch this fall rudmehta Wed, 11/30/2022 - 13:09

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Professor Sang-Hwan Kim won’t be surprised if ��-Dearborn soon becomes an epicenter for human-centered design—an emerging field focused on the intersections of technology and human experience.

The fact that his department is so stacked with faculty specializing in ergonomics and human factors (a more psychological cousin of ergonomics) is a great start. And come fall, the launch of a new Master of Science degree program in Human-Centered Design and Engineering will make the university one of the few places in the country—and the only in the region—to offer a degree that Kim says is in demand.

“The automotive companies, in particular, are hiring tons of people in this field as they focus on developing user experiences in their cars,” Kim said. “But here in southeast Michigan, there is no institute or university where students can get in-depth training in user interfaces or user experiences. Right now, companies are having to look well outside the region to fill those positions, so we think we can help open a new local talent pipeline.”

Kim’s colleague, Assistant Professor Feng Zhou, explained that the demand is reflective of a continuing evolution in our relationships to technology, which is becoming less about functions and more about experiences.

“Cars, for example, used to just be about moving from point A to point B, and so most of the engineering was focused on that kind of performance. But as we move to cars that do more of the driving for us, the design will be more about how cars can make you happy while you’re moving from point A to B.”

Human-centered design is all about how those new systems can be designed to be more efficient, effective and enjoyable—whether they’re in your car, phone or any other piece of technology. And that, Zhou said, can call on deep training in a variety of different fields.

Students in the new 31 credit-hour program can expect cross-college coursework in engineering, art and design, marketing, and even human psychology. And as far as engineering degrees go, it’s also a pretty non-technical one (as in, no advanced math skills required); so Zhou and Kim are hopeful the program will attract students from all kinds of undergraduate backgrounds.

Mechanical engineering master's degree student Safwan Ul Ferdous works on a low-cost humanoid robotic hand in Assistant Professor Yu Zheng's electrical engineering lab.

The new Master of Science in Engineering degree program in Robotics Engineering also is rooted in a burgeoning demand, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Yu Zheng said a lot of that energy is coming from students themselves.

“We started our undergraduate program in robotics in 2014; so now, we are starting to see graduates from that program who want to continue their studies. Plus, we often receive questions from students about whether we have a robotics master’s program or had plans to start one,” Zheng said.

The 30 credit-hour program gives students the chance to dig into several emerging robotics disciplines, including autonomous vehicles, drones and other flying robots, and the component systems that make them all work.

Zheng himself is excited to help launch a new research initiative into humanoid robots that are designed to function as human assistants. (The ones arriving on campus in the fall will even have faces and five-fingered hands.) That’s brand new technology for ��-Dearborn that will push students into one of the more complex and buzzworthy robotic platforms around today.

In fact, the fact that ��-Dearborn faculty are working on so many bleeding-edge projects in so many robotics disciplines was another big motivation for the new master’s program.

“One of the main challenges we’re facing now is finding students to work in our labs on all these projects,” Zheng said. “So we’re hoping the program attracts students with strong backgrounds in robotics—and those who want to continue building those skills.”

No doubt, the opportunities for cool research won’t be in short supply. Nor will the job opportunities, according to Zheng. As it is with human-centered design, demand for robotics expertise is growing across a broad range of industries, including many here in southeast Michigan.

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Mon, 07/23/2018 - 05:00

The college is welcoming inaugural classes of students in robotics engineering and human-centered design and engineering.

IMSE Assistant Professor Feng Zhou (left) and Associate Professor Sang-Hwan Kim are two of the faculty leading the new human-centered design master’s degree program.

“It’s time for you to go big, go proud and always ‘Go Blue!’”

rudmehta — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:47:03 +0000

“It’s time for you to go big, go proud and always ‘Go Blue!’” rudmehta Thu, 08/18/2022 - 13:47

This article was originally published on December 14, 2019.

The message at ��-Dearborn’s Fall 2019 graduation was clear: We are at a crucial point in our history and this generation, through steps large and small, is ready to go out and be the needed change.

During the two ceremonies on Saturday — the College of Business and the College of Engineering, & Computer Science in the morning and the College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters and the College of Education, Health, & Human Services in the afternoon — more than 700 graduates heard from peers and professionals on the importance of their education and efforts.

Mortar boards with statements like “On to my next adventure” and “World, you might not be ready. But I am,” dotted the sea of dark-colored gowns. And the anticipatory energy could be felt around the room. See graduation images or watch the morning or afternoon ceremony recordings.

Speaking to the audience in the maize-and-blue appointed Fieldhouse, Student Speaker Jessica Bacheldor explained how everything adds up — even when you can’t see it — when creating positive change. So keep going.

“The effects of one person’s just enough can often be hard to see, but when you combine your efforts with everyone else’s the result can be bigger than any of us,” Bacheldor said at the afternoon ceremony. “The research paper you published on medical advances might not have cured a life threatening disease, but it did contribute towards finding a cure. The hours you spent volunteering at a local soup kitchen didn’t solve world hunger but you did make an impact in many people’s lives. The article you wrote for the Michigan Journal may not have made it to the White House but I guarantee it influenced and educated at least one person reading it.”

Keynote Speaker Catherine A. Davy, ��-Dearborn provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, spoke at both Fall 2019 graduation ceremonies. Now in her seventh decade, Davy said she’s witnessed many challenging times: the Vietnam War and the protests, the 1980s AIDS epidemic and civil movements around race, sexuality and gender.

But she shared with today’s graduates that they will face difficulties unfamiliar to many: Namely, deciphering actual truth from what feels like it might be true. Through their earned higher education, Davy believes they are ready for the great challenge ahead.

“You persevered at a time when earning a degree is a particularly arduous process fraught with too little economic support and too many demands on you outside of your curricular pursuits. In the face of daunting conditions, you have taken it upon yourself to make yourself educated. You have persisted in garnering knowledge and nailing down facts. Most importantly, you understand that if something merely feels right, a great deal more searching and reflecting is in order.”

Davy also called the graduates avant garde — a military term that means to scout far ahead of the troops; a cultural term that refers to artists who create “ugly work” future generations see as beautiful.

“You, our graduates, comprise a community of learners who will advocate for ugly truths considered wisdom decades on,” she said. “There has never been a time when college graduates are needed more than you are today. You have persevered against considerable odds. You are strong, you are brave and I stand in awe of your accomplishment. Go forth and make the world a truer place."

Graduate Hiba Qamar, student speaker at the morning ceremony, said many in the Class of Fall 2019 have jobs lined up. But, echoing Davy’s words, she wanted to remind all that education isn’t just about a means to a career. It’s also about having the tools needed to critically think, find truths and be tomorrow’s difference makers.

“A job title or career is only a mere aspect as to who we are. We are much more than that. The university has transformed us to believe in ourselves and define ourselves not as business majors, engineering majors, or health majors, but rather as leaders and innovators,” Qamar said. “I believe that our ambitions become our values. These values motivate us to do work that brings positivity into this world. We have all grown throughout our time here at the university and we should all be proud of where we stand today. We are Wolverines.”

Chancellor Domenico Grasso — a proud Wolverine himself — said the education gained is a key component in building a brighter future. He then had the graduates turn their tassels from the right to the left, signifying their new alumni status.

“Welcome to the 600,000 strong Michigan alumni family,” Grasso said to the graduates. “Of all the assets you have or will accumulate in life, your education — your ability to think critically and creatively and communicate persuasively, your Michigan-trained intellect — is most valuable. And it can never be taken from you. Now it’s time for you to go big, go proud and always ‘Go Blue!’"

Saturday’s ceremony included recognition of six students who were honored as Chancellor’s Medallion recipients for their academic accomplishments, quality of character, intellect and integrity:

• Gabriella Oudsema, College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters

• Noah Vowell, College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters

• Emily Wolney, College of Business

• Riley Brown, College of Education, Health, & Human Services

• Martin Lohner, College of Engineering and Computer Science

• Sarah Overbeck, College of Engineering and Computer Science

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College of Business

College of Education, Health, and Human Services

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Sat, 12/14/2019 - 06:00

��-Dearborn graduates join the 610,000 strong U-M alumni community as Saturday’s Fall 2019 commencement ceremonies grant 755 degrees.

How to pursue a Ph.D. part-time and make it to the finish line

rudmehta — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:34:24 +0000

How to pursue a Ph.D. part-time and make it to the finish line rudmehta Wed, 08/10/2022 - 12:34

This article was originally published on February 5. 2020.

Statistically speaking, completing a Ph.D. is one of the toughest challenges a college student will ever face. Fewer than half of all doctoral students nationally get to the finish line — and the road to success is even narrower for those who pursue their studies part-time. But with more people who are already established in their careers looking at higher ed as a ticket to advancement in their workplaces, universities are trying to figure out ways to make it easier on part-time doctoral students. (Our new D.Eng in Automotive Systems and Mobility is a great example). Even so, students should still be aware of the challenges, says recent ��-Dearborn grad Ahmad MK Nasser. He should know: Ahmad recently finished his doctoral degree in cybersecurity while working full-time at his job in the automotive industry — and starting a family. We recently caught up with Ahmad for some real talk on what it took to pull it off and his advice for anyone who’s thinking of doing a Ph.D. part time.

The Reporter: So Ahmad, when did you decide you were going after your doctorate?

Ahmad Nasser: When I first did my bachelor’s, I had an option to do a Ph.D. But I was more interested in having an income so I put it off and got my master’s instead. I was fine having a career — I was a software engineer in the automotive industry — and things were going pretty well. My wife was actually the reason I started thinking about a Ph.D. again. She was doing her Ph.D. in cancer research and she encouraged me; I thought ‘well, ok, I could at least take a few classes and see how it goes?’ The second reason was because at my job, security was becoming much bigger in automotive, and I think I realized I needed to learn a lot about it if I wanted to keep advancing.

Reporter: So you took a few classes to test the waters — how did it feel?

Ahmad: My first class was about machine learning, and I was just blown away by how much had happened since I’d been in school. I also realized that in this later stage in my life, when I’d had maybe 12 years of experience at work, everything made more sense to me because I had practical knowledge I could attach it to. At work, I was also starting to get involved in cybersecurity, so I started reading on my own, learning to speak the security jargon and trying to catch up. My second class was a cybersecurity class and that really showed me the benefits of getting formal training. At that point, I felt convinced that I should continue with the Ph.D. program and made cybersecurity my focus.

That was the good side of it. But life also got pretty hectic. One thing I really struggled with was this feeling that I was too old for all this! I was studying on the weekends, stressing out about exams, and part of me really didn’t want to be a student again. Oh, and I should also mention that my wife was pregnant at the beginning of my Ph.D. And then a few months after the baby was born, she got pregnant again! So yes, life was completely hectic with the two kids.

One of the most impressive things about Ahmad's journey is that he did his Ph.D. program while he and his wife started a family. Their daughter, Dalia, is now 4; their son, Yahya, is 6.

Reporter: Wow. I mean, when a lot of people hear that, I think they’ll be surprised to hear you pulled it off.

Ahmad: And this wasn’t even the most difficult part. When you enter the research phase of the Ph.D., it gets a lot more challenging. With a class, there is a beginning and there is an end. With research, I had to come up with something novel, something that would be worthy of publication. On top of that, as an engineer, I discovered I was totally unprepared for academic writing. Engineers, we write very concisely, often literally in bullet points. I remember writing papers for the first time and my advisor telling me this is not suitable for academic work. To learn the writing style, I started reading lots of academic papers, and that had benefits beyond writing. You read so many papers, and suddenly you realize you’re training yourself to become a subject-matter expert, which was the whole reason I wanted to do this. On at least two occasions, I even got ideas from that reading and research that we submitted for patents at work — one of which was granted. So in some ways, things were really clicking.

Reporter: That’s amazing. But the triple load of family, work and the Ph.D. program — how did you keep it all in balance?

Ahmad: Well, one thing that helped me a lot was finding ways to make what I was doing for research count at work. So, for example, a lot of things I was reading about or researching, I’d find a way to reuse in a report I could present to my boss. In another case, I built a piece of software for the company at my job; but then I used that software as a test bed for my research ideas. So whenever I could, I tried to make things have a double purpose. Really, that would be my one major piece of advice to students considering this: You absolutely need to have overlap between your work and your research.

Reporter: And do you have any other wisdom for students who might be considering part-time studies?

Ahmad: I think for sure they should have a mentor who will listen to you when you’re having trouble and give you advice as you’re going along so you don’t feel like you’re alone. For me, that was often my wife. Because my wife had gone through it, she would give me advice or motivation when I felt like giving up. The other thing is you have to be aware that this is much different than doing a master’s. I meet people that say they want to do a Ph.D., and I know that they’re already working 50 hours a week at their jobs. That’s going to be very difficult. It’s not impossible. But you have to be honest with yourself about whether you have the time and commitment, because the closer you get to the end, the harder it gets. I’m really happy I did it, but it’s also really great to have my life back.

Reporter: So at the end of the day, do you feel like it was worth it?

Ahmad: Definitely. Particularly because I picked a subject that was very close to my job, I see how it’s given me more credibility at work, and I think that has led to more opportunities. For example, on a few occasions, I was tapped to give advice on cybersecurity matters to our executives in Japan. I was also asked to represent my company in several standardization bodies that are writing cybersecurity standards for the industry. So this has allowed me to make connections with other experts in the field. And that’s not something I would be doing without the training I received in my program.

Student Success

Alumni Engagement

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Computer and Information Science

Graduate Studies

Off

Wed, 02/05/2020 - 06:00

Recent ��-Dearborn grad Ahmad MK Nasser shares what it took for him to complete his doctorate in cybersecurity part-time, while working full-time and starting a family.

��-Dearborn graduate Ahmad MK Nasser with his wife, Batoul Abdallah, and their daughter Dalia

Graduate Studies

������-Dearborn 2025 Graduate Open House (4.15.25)

‘������-Dearborn is a respected institution . . . I feel very lucky to study here’

First-year enrollment is highest in university history

Fall 2023 enrollment highlights:

Course loads up, state support making a difference

More students attending full time, graduating sooner

Investments in student support continue

Thank you, ������-Dearborn!

'The future belongs to you'

Through education, student plans to create a mental health support network 7,000 miles away

What’s driving the international student boom at ������-Dearborn?

International student enrollment by country

International student enrollment by college

Two new CECS master’s programs to launch this fall

“It’s time for you to go big, go proud and always ‘Go Blue!’”

How to pursue a Ph.D. part-time and make it to the finish line

��-Dearborn 2025 Graduate Open House (4.15.25)

‘��-Dearborn is a respected institution . . . I feel very lucky to study here’

Thank you, ��-Dearborn!

What’s driving the international student boom at ��-Dearborn?