Meet Our Alumni

The third time was the charm for Malenda Avery.  She attended two other colleges before geography brought her to Macomb and she found the college experience that had previously eluded her.

“After I started, I loved it,” says the single mom of two teenaged boys who moved to Eastpointe from Detroit a couple of years ago. “I love the teachers, the atmosphere, the diversity, the small class sizes and the individual attention.”

Crediting all those factors for helping her excel in her classes as she never had before, Avery graduated cum laude from Macomb in May with an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies.  She continues to take classes at Macomb while attending Rochester College, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology in a program offered at the University Center on Center Campus.

“I would like to be a social worker,” offers Avery, and earning the necessary master’s degree is in her plans. “But after I earn my bachelor’s degree, I am taking some time off school so I can work full time and focus on my sons’ education.”

Avery, a committed journal keeper and sometime poet, is currently employed as a tutor in Macomb’s Reading and Writing Studios, after starting out there as a work-study student.

“I feel like I am making a difference in people’s academic lives,” says Avery, who assists students with organizing their ideas, formatting written assignments and revising drafts. “I want everyone to succeed, and I love hearing about their papers. I learn new things from what the students have written.”

The skills she has developed as a tutor have also come in handy when she is coaching her sons: Cassieus, 13, and Elijah, 15, on their homework assignments.

“It has taught me to be patient when working with them,” says Avery. “It has given me insight into new techniques for helping them come to their own conclusions.”

Avery has also gained valuable insight as a single mom balancing the demands of work, school and family.  To those facing similar challenges, she offers a little advice and a lot of encouragement.

“It’s very stressful at times to try to juggle everything, but it is very rewarding to know that you are not only helping yourself succeed, but helping your children succeed as well,” says Avery. “Keep going and don’t get discouraged.  It’s not easy by any means, but trust that your goals are achievable.”

Some people spend much of their adult lives discovering what they want to be when they grow up. Others never truly find the answer. Not so for Christa Weaver, 24, a user interface developer at United Shore.

“My passion for web technologies started around the age of 11,” relates Weaver, who jump-started her interest by creating MySpace templates, as well as custom designs for message forums using cascading style sheets (CSS).

Weaver, a native to the Metro Detroit area, grew up in Warren and attended East Detroit Public Schools until her senior year, when her family moved to Clinton Township. She graduated from Chippewa Valley High School in 2012. Upon coming to Macomb in January 2013, Weaver originally intended to pursue a career in software development. At least that was her plan until she had a change of heart.

“Honestly, the Intro to Web Programming course is what made me declare my degree in web programming,” says Weaver. “Once I took that class, I remembered how much I loved front-end web technologies.”

Among the strengths of the web programming major at Macomb is “the passion of all the teachers who teach the web development courses,” says Weaver. In particular, she recognized Professors Jacqueline Wanner and Martin Kohl. “They are both very passionate about technology and teaching, and both of them at some point have gone the extra mile assisting me with any sort of problems that I may have had.”

During her academic journey at Macomb, Weaver completed a mixture of both on-campus and online classes? but her preference rested with the latter. “I really enjoyed the online classes because I worked full time,” says Weaver. “Online classes let me do it at my own pace, but also have class interaction through the forums.”

Weaver graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Web Programming in 2016, and attributes her education at Macomb as contributing to her success in the workplace. Macomb “will provide you with a really strong foundation to build your career,” says Weaver. “They give you the tools to start, but you need the drive to build it even stronger. Stick with it, because it will pay off so much in the long run.”

April Anderson knows a thing or two about running a successful business. She did earn an MBA, after all, from the University of Michigan, but it’s her baking (finessed by a pastry degree from Macomb) that brings in the customers at Good Cakes and Bakes in Detroit.

“I get a real peace when I’m in the kitchen,” says Anderson, who started baking under her mother’s watchful eye at 9. “Being in the kitchen calms all my nerves and fears.  It’s like I was made for this.”

Anderson and her wife, Michelle, use only organic, locally sourced ingredients and even offer vegan options.  The bakery menu changes daily, but carrot cake cupcakes and gooey butter cake are usually in the mix. Oprah Winfrey enjoyed the latter when she visited FoodLab Detroit, an organization dedicated to sustainable food that Anderson is actively involved in.  But it’s when she’s kneading together yeast, flour, cinnamon and sugar that the pastry chef is truly in her glory.

“My favorite thing to bake,” acknowledges Anderson, “are cinnamon rolls.”

Good Cakes and Bakes has earned many accolades and fans since opening in 2013.  Just this year: The Detroit Free Press called it the “hottest bakery in Detroit,” its owners were invited to be the official pastry chefs at the James Beard Media Awards in New York, and more than 80 percent of its Yelp reviewers give it five stars.  Anderson’s most treasured testament, however, came courtesy of the late Aretha Franklin. Fond of the bakery’s red velvet and pineapple upside down cakes, the singer and Detroit resident instructed her team to order 40 for the annual community holiday dinners she hosted.  Following Franklin’s death in August, Anderson posted a tribute to the Detroit icon on the bakery’s Facebook page noting, “It was an honor to know she knew about our small bakery, and loved it.”

Working in finance until her son graduated high school, Anderson decided in 2010 to make a bold move, buoyed by the encouragement of her wife and parents. “I knew that if I didn’t take the leap then, I was never going to do it,” says Anderson.  “It was the perfect time in Detroit to start a business – there were so many new programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs.” A Detroit native whose longtime dream was to open a bakery in her hometown, Anderson now began researching culinary programs.

“Macomb was the school offering pastry arts as a degree, and that was very important to me. I loved that all the chefs were either still working in the industry or had worked in the industry for several years,” says Anderson. “I am so happy I chose Macomb. Without…Macomb, we wouldn’t be able to create some of the unique recipes we have. And, without the community support, we wouldn’t be growing the way we are.”

Patrick Adams grew up on Tiger’s baseball and is still a fan.  But the professional baseball player he looks up to most never wore the Old English D and played catch with him in the backyard of his family’s Warren home.

“As far as idols go, I would have to say it’s my dad,” says Adams, a Macomb alumnus and leftfielder with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers, part of the United Shores Professional Baseball League (USPBL). “My dad was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and played in the Giants’ organization as well. I have constantly picked his brain about the game since I was little.”

A De La Salle High School graduate who played football there and briefly (2 weeks) for Albion College, Adams enrolled at Macomb after deciding he preferred the baseball diamond to the gridiron.  He joined the Monarchs’ baseball team during his first year, receiving an athletic scholarship to play the second.

“I wanted to go to Macomb because it was close to home and I would get a chance to play baseball,” says Adams. “I also had excellent professors and learned a great deal there. My academic experience at Macomb was great. It set me up for success while being affordable.”

After earning an Associate Degree in General Studies, Adams transferred to Wayne State University, where he majored in journalism and was a .341 hitter with the Wayne State Warriors. It was Wayne State’s head baseball coach who encouraged him to tryout for the Hoppers and Adams began his professional baseball career in the USPBL this year.

“Playing for the Hoppers is like a dream come true,” he acknowledges. “Having the chance to continue playing baseball and it being so close to home is something I do not take for granted. My first season is going well. I have played consistently and learned on the fly how to be a professional, in terms of routine and work ethic.”

The Hoppers play three, sometimes four, games a week and practice most non-game days.

“Monday is technically a league-wide off day,” says Adams, “but everyone is still hitting, throwing and lifting.”

That perseverance is what Adams hopes may lead to being picked up by an affiliated team, priming him for a spot in the majors. Considering that 20 of its players have been drafted by major league teams since the USPBL was founded in 2016, it’s more than a longshot. Still, he plans on returning to Wayne State to finish his degree and is looking at other baseball-related options.

“After I finish playing, I would love get into coaching, especially at the college level,” says Adams. “I know that playing baseball at Macomb is directly correlated to any success I have had in the game. I had the opportunity to play every day and develop more than I ever did before.”

Alexis Asher has a story more than a few college students can relate to and with a happy ending that puts Cinderella’s to shame.

She reluctantly enrolled at Macomb after high school because, she says, “My mom told me I was going to college.” A lack of interest coupled with two jobs resulted in academic probation and the loss of her financial aid.  Dropping out for awhile, Asher returned in 2016 with a newfound sense of purpose and the conviction that she could do better.

“At one point, I had a grade point average less than 2.0. That was unacceptable,” shares Asher. “Now I’m on the dean’s list, and I’ve become that person at parties that always wants to talk about school.”

Asher graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in May and is now pursuing a certificate in Behavioral Sciences.  It’s the start of a career path that she discovered after googling “psychology” on the Internet.  Her plans are to work with those on the Autism disorder spectrum as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCABA) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), which require bachelor and master degrees, respectively.

“I was looking for a career that lets me help as many people as I can by working one-on-one with them.” says Asher, who soon starts a job with a home support network for those with autism. “I will be helping them manage everyday and other tasks.”

Asher is planning to transfer to Wayne State University, which offers a program tied directly to earning a BCABA and BCBA.  She also intends to earn a doctorate. It’s quite a turnaround from her first attempt at college, Asher acknowledges, and she gives credit to some of the mentors she’s had along the way.

“The teachers here are excellent, especially Dr. Wickline (psychology professor), who is amazing,” says Asher.  “I didn’t realize when I started here that everyone is more than willing to help you.  Thankfully, I came to Macomb first because if had taken seven years of classes at a university, I’d be drowning in debt.”

Asher, who continues to work multiple jobs, is on a work study-assignment in Macomb’s Admissions Department.  This summer, it gave her the chance to practice that one-on-one technique that will be so crucial in her future career.

“I got to go through the admissions process with my little sister,” says Asher.  “Like I told her, Macomb is an awesome place. I am glad I came back.”

Before she even graduated from Macomb’s Medical Assistant Program this May, Nancy Mochan was saving lives, although it’s uncertain just how many.

“I was leaving work at 2 p.m. when I pulled behind a brand new Ford F150 to exit the parking lot.  I noticed the man was looking downward, like he was texting, and I gave the horn a little toot to let him know he was holding up traffic,” relates Mochan. “After a few more minutes, I pulled around and noticed he was slumped over the wheel.”

Mochan parked her car on a side street as she called 911.  Waiting for the EMS and police to arrive, which, she says “seemed like an eternity but was only a few minutes,” she tried unsuccessfully to open the door of the truck. Then she tried to rouse the driver by pounding. He briefly stirred before falling limp again.  A police officer was first on the scene and he busted out the window and quickly ascertained the situation. “Stay with me,” the officer yelled to the man while retrieving an orange box from the patrol car. At first, Mochan thought the man might have had a heart attack.  But that orange box contained Narcan, which quickly reversed the effects of an opioid overdose.

“The man became pretty combative when he was revived and had to be strapped down to the gurney and taken to the hospital,” says Mochan. “The police officer said that I saved the man’s life.  But I don’t feel like I did anything special.”

Still, just a block down from the Home Depot where Mochan works is an elementary school, and the possibility how the afternoon might have played out didn’t escape her.

“He could have killed a child or another driver on the road,” says Mochan. “His truck was still in drive, that’s why I was unable to open the door.”

Although she dismisses her recent life-saving effort as a case of being in the right place at the right time, deciding to become a medical assistant was a well-thought-out move for the former medical receptionist.

“After I was laid off after about 15 years, it appeared that “medical receptionist” was a field that was being phased out,” relates Mochan, who received tuition assistance from Michigan Works! to attend Macomb. “I enjoy working with people and helping them, but I never thought I would like working the medical end of helping patients.”

But, at Macomb, Mochan discovered she does like caring for patients, and to a greater degree than she ever thought possible.

“My experience at Macomb was great and I am very happy with the decisions I have made,” says Mochan.  “I have thought a lot lately about becoming a nurse or a patient advocate.  Who knows?”