Mohammed here!

I am a first-generation college student happy to be majoring in Cybersecurity here at CCBC. When I am not absorbed in my studies or philosophical self-reflection – ok, OK, being introspective and studious is okay! – I am engaging with others in trying to learn more about each other and building on our common goals and values. That’s what makes our world so amazing, right?!

I was born in an inland oasis city of the United Arab Emirates. While I am not as rich as the Dubai royal family, I am somewhat rich in travel experience! I have also lived in Pakistan for several years and came to the United States about 11 years ago. I was brought up in a British educational system and strictly consider myself as a student of knowledge on an open-ended path to learning and scholarship. Education, i.e. overcoming our inherent ignorance, means the world to me.

On campus, I am a Student Life Ambassador, president of the Speaker’s Club, an SGA representative for the International Club, an Honors student, part of the STEMCore cohort, and a Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘΚ) Vice-President of Scholarship. I am also a Mellon Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University. Off (and on?) campus, I am involved in a variety of volunteering and/or service activities in humanities. For example, I serve as a features writer for the Borgen Project, advocate for a pluralistic society while respecting human rights specifically in countering issues of religious and other forms of extremism, and keep apprised of issues facing the immigrant community in the U.S., especially in the legal spheres.

So! This blog will be my means of communicating with you (in no particular order of significance) my challenges, successes, involvement, triumphs, struggles, and little and major aspects of college and student life here at CCBC.

While you are a returning or aspiring student, a parent or a tradesperson, or simply a curious reader wanting a greater insight into how life is like at CCBC, I will endeavor to keep everything as transparent as possible. College is a big investment in so many ways and I am a firm believer in a need for integrity and honesty. I will also be using this space to share what I observe at amazing CCBC events and programs which, I have come to learn, are a remarkable fusion of hard work of both CCBC faculty and students.

My motto is “move on forward.” I invite you on this journey to look forward with hope and empathy, chasing our shared curiosity in pursuit of our unique passions, and living a life of service to perpetually pay the unending debt we accrue every day because of the kindness of “others,” who happen to be our very own.

That’s the CCBC community. Welcome and onward!