Get to Know HFC: Maurell Pilgrim studied at HFC and never left

Maurell Pilgrim at desk.

Maurell Pilgrim has remained at HFC since he enrolled as a dual-enrolled student in high school. He has worked at the College for four years and, after two promotions, is now an assistant manager.

“HFC has been my first professional experience. The College has been central to my education and professional growth, and I’m proud to continue building my career here,” said Pilgrim. “As a student, I appreciated the flexibility and accessibility of the College. The courses I needed were consistently available, and online options made it easier to stay on track while balancing other responsibilities.”

Pilgrim joined the College full-time in 2022 as a Senior Teller during his cooperative education experience. In 2023, he was promoted to Accounting Analyst. At the end of 2025, he was promoted to Assistant Manager, Office of Student Accounts – Cashier’s Office. He reports to HFC Bursar Sharon McAlpine. His duties include:

  • Supporting day-to-day operations in the Cashier’s Office.
  • Providing leadership and support to the Senior Tellers.
  • Assisting students with payments, account questions, and refunds, while ensuring processes are accurate, consistent, and student-focused.
  • Assisting with operational improvements and supporting Student Accounts leadership.

“Maurell’s promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional analytical skills, initiative, and dedication to excellence,” said McAlpine. “He consistently demonstrates a strong command of financial processes and approaches his work with professionalism and care. What makes Maurell’s journey impressive is that he was initially expected to begin as a student worker. Instead, he was hired as a full-time teller and has continued to advance through hard work, determination, and acf commitment to growth. I am proud that Maurell chose to become a part of the Office of Student Accounts team.”

HFC made it possible for him to launch his accounting career

Born in Detroit, Pilgrim is the fifth of six children. He lived in Detroit until he moved to Dearborn Heights in 2023. He is an alumnus of the Advanced Technology Academy in Dearborn, where he was a dual enrollment student.

Pilgrim earned associate degrees in accounting, in business administration, and in general studies from HFC. He also earned certification in Office Skills – Fundamentals and Accounting from HFC. He is working on his bachelor's degree in business administration from Siena Heights University and will graduate this spring.

“I’ve always been drawn to work that involves numbers, structure, and problem-solving. Accounting stands out as a field where accuracy, curiosity, and attention to detail make a real impact,” he said. “I first earned HFC credits through dual enrollment engineering courses in high school. After graduating, I realized engineering wasn’t the path I wanted, but I could still apply those credits toward a different program. Because I’ve always enjoyed numbers, accounting felt like the right fit, and HFC made it possible to build that foundation and keep moving forward.”

As a co-op student, Pilgrim met HFC Career Counselor Jessica Miller. Miller introduced him to then-HFC Bursar Rhonda Johnson.

“Both of them encouraged me to apply for a Senior Teller position,” he recalled. “That opportunity became the start of my professional path at the College.”

Understanding and supporting student perspectives

For Pilgrim, the best part of working at HFC is the people – students and coworkers alike.

“Our team keeps the Cashier’s Office welcoming and approachable, so students and staff feel comfortable coming to us with questions or concerns. I really enjoy helping students because I can relate to a lot of what they’re going through. I started at HFC as a student and began working here while still in school, so I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate college systems for the first time. My goal is for anyone who leaves our office to feel supported, clear on the next steps to take, and confident about staying on track toward their goals.”

Balancing high-volume service with accuracy and consistency – especially during peak times like the start of the semester, payment deadlines, and financial aid processing periods – can be challenging. Students are often dealing with stress, time constraints, and financial pressure.

“It is important that we stay patient, clear, and solutions-focused while handling transactions correctly. For me, the challenge is keeping the pace moving while making sure each student feels heard and leaves with the right information and a good feeling about our department,” said Pilgrim. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at HFC and the support that has helped me grow. I’m proud to continue developing in this role while staying focused on service, accountability, and student success.”