How Christopher Serrano gained confidence to excel in engineering and chemistry
HFC student Christopher Serrano initially planned to be a mechanic, but he later changed his major to pre-engineering. The change of major was directly due to his experiences at the College.
“My father taught me how to maintain cars, and I liked working with my hands. During my first semester at HFC, I realized there was more to it than replacing parts and fine-tuning function and performance. Things like design, engineering decisions, and problem-solving are behind everything. I wanted to understand why they were created the way they are. So I decided to pursue an engineering degree,” explained Serrano.
HFC community welcomes students from all backgrounds
A lifelong Downriver resident, Serrano, who is fluent in English and Spanish, is the youngest of two. He is an alumnus of Summit Academy North High School in Romulus.
Serrano earned his associate degree in pre-engineering from HFC at the end of 2025. During his time at HFC, he was a member of HFC physics and astronomy instructor Jesse Mason’s student research group called the Dead Stars Society. Serrano will transfer to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he will major in mechanical engineering.
“I like the established community HFC has. From faculty to classmates, their support makes a huge difference when you're trying to balance school and life,” said Serrano. “I chose HFC because it genuinely welcomes students from all kinds of backgrounds. We all came from different struggles, but we had the same thing in common: We were pursuing a degree for the better.”
“Delight in the fight” to train discipline like a muscle
Mason and HFC chemistry instructor Dr. Fadia Cudry have been influential on Serrano.
“Professor Mason’s classes were tough, but they taught me resilience. He helped me build confidence in problem-solving by teaching us to ‘delight in the fight’ and to train discipline like a muscle,” said Serrano. “He always emphasized that even if a solution process feels excessive, you should follow through with it carefully. If your answer makes sense and your process is solid, you’re probably right. That mindset has stayed with me.”
Mason understood and supported Serrano's motivations. "In class, Christopher was a model student – punctual, attentive, inquisitive, and deeply motivated to learn,” said Mason. “On our research team, he has been eager to tackle hard tasks and quick to learn complex research processes. He's truly one of a kind!"
Cudry’s real-world examples helped Serrano appreciate chemistry. She also helped him learn how advanced degrees can fit seamlessly into engineering and research.
“Dr. Cudry consistently made the effort to keep a light, positive atmosphere even with challenging material,” said Serrano.
First-generation college student with high aspirations
Like his older sister, Serrano is a first-generation college student.
“I’m one of the first in my family to pursue a professional degree,” he said. “It feels empowering because I know we’re breaking a cycle and creating new possibilities for future generations. At the same time, it has been overwhelming at points, especially when I had to navigate things like FAFSA and scholarship applications. Because of that, I’ve learned to stay focused on the future rather than getting discouraged by what feels unfamiliar. I try to focus on what is possible, rather than the way things are now.”
Serrano added: “What keeps me going is knowing that my degree will allow me to improve my family’s life in many ways. I’m deeply grateful for the sacrifices my parents made for me. That gives me the motivation to keep moving forward.”
Learning without feeling lost
HFC has prepared him well for U-M.
“The professors expect you to put in the work, and when you do, you really see your growth. The College taught me discipline and gave me confidence in my abilities,” said Serrano. “HFC is a perfect place to start, because it isn’t a massive, overwhelming school. It lets you focus on learning without feeling lost.”
Cudry is proud of Serrano’s accomplishments.
“Christopher Serrano is one of those students who reminds you why we teach,” she said. “He’s exceptionally smart, he derives equations on the spot, and he finds new mathematical approaches to solve chemistry problems. He challenges me in the best way and reignites my own passion for the mathematical side of chemistry. His humility, determination, and intellectual curiosity have made watching his growth one of the highlights of my teaching.”