When speaking to individuals who have worked closely with Alfarezdeq Nassir, there appear to be a few commonly held beliefs. Those beliefs are that Alfarezdeq, or as he more commonly goes by “Alfa,” is a kind individual, a determined student, and an exceptional leader.  

Alfarezdeq’s journey to higher education is nothing short of impressive. Coming from his hometown of Kuwait, Alfa graduated early from the British School of Kuwait before moving to the United States, where he began his studies at UM-Dearborn at only 16 years old.

Since his start at the university, Alfa has been an integral part of the Dearborn community. He works as a student staff leader on campus and volunteers at local high schools. Through his work with K-12 students, he helps prepare them for college-level courses by providing tutoring, mentoring, and hands-on STEM experiences. He also coordinates outreach efforts in the community with a focus on underserved populations.

Alfa is not only preparing young students for their college careers but is paving the way for them to feel empowered and supported in the next stage of their lives.

Working with youth.

Every year during the summer months, Alfa works with the UTOOLS College Preparation Experience program – a yearly summer program that takes place on the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s campus – to help prepare students for college.

This ten-session program runs for two weeks and works specifically with foster youth ages 14-20. Through the program, students learn about their career options, how to gain access to college, financial aid, community resources, test-taking skills, and study habits.

“During this time we make connections with the youth and are able to see their growth not only in those two weeks but also the years following since most of our students come back yearly,” he says.

During this program, Alfa recalls one student he worked with who had an interest in medicine but didn't know what next steps to take. He says, “As part of my medical mission is to help the next generation of healthcare workers, I was able to take her on as a mentee and help her find her path to reach her goals.”

Alfa wrote the student a recommendation letter after working closely with her for two years. His mentee is now attending college where she expresses hopes of working in the same hospital as her mentor one day.

“I still have her note that she wrote me at the end of her first year in the program where she states, ‘I know someday we will be working in the same hospital, 9/10, no doubt.’"

Future physician

When Alfa was only 13 years old, his father suffered a heart attack landing him in the hospital. Having witnessed the events surrounding his father’s health, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in medicine to help others the way his father had been.

Currently, Alfa is enrolled as a pre-med student with a major in Biology. As a member of multiple pre-med organizations on campus, he is working diligently toward becoming a physician.

“What’s given me the tools to reach my goals is the support from programs and organizations on campus,” he says. “Whether it’s Student Support Services, Phi Delta Epsilon, being Chair of Student Government or External Relations Officer of the Undergraduate Society of Psychology and Neuroscience, the community that I got from them always supported me and pushed me to do better.”

The importance of community

Phi Delta Epsilon is a medical fraternity whose mission is to create physicians of integrity with a lifelong commitment to their guiding principles (philanthropy, deity, education and equity).

As Vice President of Phi Delta Epsilon, Alfa and his fraternity partner with Beaumont Health Royal Oak every year for their Moonbeams event which takes place right before Christmas. During the nighttime, members shine lights through the hospital windows to the young child patients who shine lights back at the fraternity members.

“This event always reminds me why I am on the path of medicine. It reminds me that we need to help those who have been given the shorter end of the stick in life,” he says.

Alfa has already gotten a head start on his path towards medicine. In an effort to start providing care for others, he began work at an Internal Medicine Clinic where he helps underserved populations and forms connections with members of his community.