unique Shabbat experience.
The Spartan Stadium Shabbat
dinner came during a challenging
time for the community, as it had
been previously planned to be held
less than two weeks following the
tragic on-campus shooting. MSU
Hillel quickly pivoted, focusing
on providing a safe space for the
community to come together,
honor those we lost, pray for those
still healing and uplift one another.
With students, administrators,
faculty and community supporters
in attendance, it was truly a special
time to show that together we are
#SpartanStrong. @
Robyn Hughey is associate director
of MSU Hillel and the Hillel Campus
Alliance of Michigan (HCAM).
Students enjoy the
Spartan Shabbat
Series
2020
was a year
fraught
with stress
and change. It was also the year
that Maya Siegmann graduated
from Bloomfield Hills High
School.
Everyone, including Maya, was
asking themselves, What’s next?
Many of her classmates decided
to jump into higher education
that year, taking off to places
like Central Michigan University
(CMU) and Michigan State
University (MSU). Maya knew
that wouldn’t work for her,
given that in 2020 practically all
education was done virtually.
“I definitely need the in-person
experience,” says Maya. “Or at
least the in-person option.”
So, she decided to take a gap
year. She learned about herself,
gained work experience at
a local business, and even
acquired new hobbies like
crochet. That year gave Maya
the valuable opportunity to take
her time to decide where she
would go next. She had seen her
brother use OCC as a stepping
stone in his own education and
realized that she could do the
same.
“I chose to go to OCC because
I wasn’t completely sure about
what I wanted to do with my
life,” says Maya. “And I wanted
to be able to explore my general
education requirements.”
“When I got in touch with my
counselor, she showed me the
Michigan Transfer Agreement.”
The Michigan Transfer
Agreement (MTA) facilitates
the transfer of credits from
OCC to schools like MSU,
Oakland University, University
of Michigan or, in Maya’s case,
Wayne State University.
“The MTA is perfect for
students who want to save
money, appreciate the support
of our many resources, and
have great flexibility in the
types of courses they take,”
said OCC counselor Vicki
McNifff. Maya was able to
take advantage of OCC’s small
classes, enjoying one-on-one
check-ins with professors. Plus,
she was able to create a class
schedule that worked perfectly
for her own needs. She opted to
take some hybrid classes, which
allowed her to blend in-person
instruction with learning online
from the comfort of her home.
“I wasn’t wasting my time
or money by taking random
classes,” says Maya. “I was able
to customize my schedule with
OCC while taking classes I knew
I would have to take no matter
where I was.” From science and
math courses to English and
psychology, Maya was earning
credits that were propelling her
toward her graduation. Even
her credits from a yoga class
would transfer.
Maya is currently in her
sophomore year at OCC, and
she is planning to transfer to
Wayne State’s School of Social
Work.
Her goal? Become a middle
school counselor.
“I’ve always liked helping
people,” she says, continuing,
“and that, in my opinion, is the
most crucial time for emotional
support…helping kids in the
most confusing part of their life.
When puberty is starting, and
things are changing, and you
have no idea what’s going on…
that’s when you need the most
support.”
Thanks to OCC, she’s on track to
providing the support that she
knows to be so important.
“I’m very grateful to OCC for
the way I was able to start my
education and my college life,”
says Maya. “I am definitely
very happy with the path that I
chose.”
Learn why OCC is a great place to start your
someday. Join a campus tour or virtual admission
event. Visit oaklandcc.edu/getstarted
Start Your
College Journey
at OCC
Discover how OCC empowered
Maya Siegmann to pursue her
dream of helping teens.
OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
OAKLAND COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
oaklandcc.edu/admissions
SPONSORED BY OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE