National Transfer Student Week Spotlight: alumnus Dia Camara

National Transfer Student Week (NTSW) takes place October 19-23. Organized by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, this is a nationwide movement that celebrates transfer students and the supporters who champion their success. The week is designed to empower campuses across the country to create more welcoming spaces where transfer students do more than just arrive – they thrive.

Attending HFC gave alumnus Dia Camara the "transitional higher education kickstart" he needed, as he graduated from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"HFC allowed me to build my academic credentials in a very affordabe way," said Camara, of Rochester. "Getting all the gen ed requirements completed was amazing. I really appreciate how HFC let me do that, so I could then go on and focus on the core subjects I actually cared about in undergrad. It’s great all my credits transferred."

Transferring from HFC was smooth

Born in Kalamazoo, Camara is the eldest of eight. An alumnus of the International Academy High School in Bloomfield Hills, Camara earned an associate degree in science from HFC. Transferring to Oakland University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Japanese language and literature.

"The transfer process was pretty smooth overall. I made sure I talked to the academic advisors at HFC to confirm my credits were applicable to the Michigan Transfer Agreement," said Camara. "My advice to students is make sure you talk to an academic advisor and confirm that your credits will transfer. Then you can go wherever you want! I hadn’t expected to study language and humanities when I earned my science degree from HFC, but the interest found me, and I chased it."

Camara, who speaks fluent Japanese and some Spanish, is a graduate student studying Japanese language and culture in the Master’s in International Regional Studies program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He is a member of the Black Graduate Student Association. He is on track to graduate from U-M in 2027.

College isn't just about attending classes

During his time at HFC, Camara was an active member of the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group, calling faculty advisor Dr. Kalvin DaRonne Harvell and co-faculty advisor Chardin Claybourne his mentors. He was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program as well.

Camara was also the founding president of HFC’s Animation, Comics, and Gaming Club. This student organization helped him make many friends at HFC, both online during the pandemic and when the campus reopened.

"It provided me with a sense of normalcy when we returned to face-to-face," he said. "Director of Student Activities Dr. Cassandra Fluker helped me with the resources needed to make this club flourish. Reco Spencer served as the advisor. I know the club was just about having fun and getting to meet other students, but after COVID, the isolation really drained my enthusiasm for classes. Having a social outlet with other students who had similar interests to mine really helped me rebalance my life, and gave me the motivation needed to succeed academically."

He pointed out that the college experience is not just about going to class.

"Join some clubs and connect with people!" said Camara. "It was helpful having the opportunity to make friends at HFC through the student organizations I belonged to, which helped me socially adjust to other institutions. I felt confident in my ability to connect and make new friends. Use college as an opportunity not only to grow academically but socially as well. It only gets more difficult to make friends once you’re busy in the workforce, so take advantage of the time you have in school!"