HFC student veteran’s calling is serving youth through public health

HFC student Clara Fritz believes in being a part of something bigger than herself.

That’s why she’s pursuing a career in public health. That’s also why she joined the United States Marine Corps.

“I wanted the challenge more than anything,” explained Fritz. “I wanted to join what I believed to be the most elite military branch, and be the best of the best. I wanted to serve my country, a purpose bigger than myself.”

The eldest of four daughters, Fritz was born in Belleville, IL. Her parents served in the United States Air Force, making her second-generation military in her family. Along with her sisters, Fritz moved to Southgate when she was 9 because her parents were transferred. Fritz lives in Brownstown Township with her husband, Justin.

Fritz is an alumna of Anderson High School in Southgate. After graduation, she enlisted in the USMC, where she completed a 5-year tour. She was stationed overseas during the Yemeni conflict in 2014. Her primary military specialty was helicopter mechanic. Her final rank when she was honorably discharged was sergeant.

HFC provided her with a sense of community and great teachers

After leaving the military, Fritz worked as a quality supervisor/health and food safety coordinator at Mucci Farms in Romulus. She is an OSHA Health and Food Safety Inspector and has been certified in CPR since she was 16. Once she decided on a career change, Fritz enrolled at HFC.

“I didn’t know what my next step was,” she admitted. “What I found at the College was a good sense of community. The environment was really welcoming, so it kept me coming back. I had great teachers and enjoyed the layout of the campus. I had a lot of help from HFC Veteran Services too. They helped me every step of the way from when I came here in 2019.”

Fritz earned an associate degree in general studies from the College, and then followed that up with a second associate degree in science in 2025. She was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program and the HFC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) (Alpha Xi Mu). Fritz will transfer to the University of Michigan-Dearborn to complete her bachelor’s degree in health and human services. She can also see herself earning a master’s degree.

“I’m sorry to go, but I’ll be right next door,” said Fritz. “I liked the variety of knowledge I gained from the classes available to me at HFC, as well as the professors’ broad knowledge that they bring to the classroom. I enjoyed learning what people think and how they interpret. Class discussions were my highlight.”

Public health is a first step in changing a community

Fritz’s career goal is to go into the public health field, focusing on juvenile mental health awareness.

“Public health is, I believe, the first step in changing a community,” said Fritz. “I’ve always had a need to be part of something bigger than myself. I believe how you change a generation is through emotional regulation and self-actualization. If we’re able to help younger generations emotionally regulate in healthy ways, we will have stronger generations in the future because they will have learned good coping mechanisms and a work ethic. If you’re able to stabilize yourself inside, you’ll be able to cope with everything life throws at you. Helping other people do that is compelling.”

HFC geology instructor Dr. Brian Kirchner and HFC physics and astronomy instructor Steve Murrell enjoyed having Fritz in class.

“Clara is currently taking two of my classes and is a model student,” said Kirchner. “She’s attentive, engaged, and brings professionalism to the classroom and the lab. She’s a Marine Corps veteran and is a little older than the average student, and the maturity shows.”

Added Murrell: “Clara has attended every session of my introductory astronomy class, sitting in the front row, engaged in class discussions, respectful and kind to everyone around her. She is one of those students who makes teaching a pleasurable and rewarding experience.”