HFC welcomes Drew Thomas, designer and recruiter
For HFC Admissions Recruiter Drew Thomas, his role is more than a job.
“It’s an opportunity to mentor and change people’s lives, especially people who’ve had a similar upbringing to mine,” said Thomas, of Warren. “If I can be a guiding light or just answer a simple question, helping students in any way I can is the most satisfying thing.”
HFC On-Campus Recruiter Alayna Kondraciuk has had many opportunities to work with Thomas since he joined the College in the spring.
“Drew is so personable and kind,” she said. “Future Hawks are lucky to have Drew as their recruiter; I’m looking forward to witnessing the positive impact he’ll have on students’ lives. He is certainly a valuable asset to the team!”
A great representative of what it means to be a Hawk
The middle of five, Thomas was born in Big Rapids and moved to the east side of Detroit with his family when he was a toddler.
Thomas is a graduate of Michigan Collegiate High School in Warren. He earned his bachelor’s degree in studio art with a minor in multimedia design from Central Michigan University, where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. At the end of 2026, he will complete his master’s degree in art and design from Ferris State University.
“I’ve always been an artist. I loved creating and drawing ever since I was a child. I was inspired by the cartoons I watched on TV and the comic books I read – especially the X-Men – so that was my biggest inspiration,” he recalled.
Thomas’ first job when he graduated from CMU was working as a paraprofessional and reading specialist at Flagship Charter Academy in Detroit. Afterward, he had the same position at Voyageur College Prep High School in Detroit, where he worked for five months. Prior to coming to HFC, he was a college completion coach for the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).
“Drew already has shown a strong ability to connect with students and has a guiding passion for College access,” said HFC K-12 Admissions Recruiter Andrea Herrera. “He is a great representative of what it means to be a Hawk at HFC.”
A creative person with a passion for helping others find their path
Thomas joined the College in mid-May and reports to HFC Director of Admissions and Recruiting Niko Kanagawa. His duties include:
- Processing transcripts
- Guiding students through the application process
- Traveling to high schools and events, recruiting students to enroll at HFC in a program that is meaningful to them
“I remember seeing admissions reps from HFC at my high school, so it’s crazy to be here now,” he said. “I see my job at HFC as an opportunity to connect with students and learn about different ways I can help them. I love being able to do that.”
While gaining experience in higher education, Thomas is also a graphic designer on the side. He has completed varied projects, including work for his former fraternity.
"Adding Drew to the Admissions and Recruiting Team was a significant coup for us, as we were able to pry him away from MCAN and the great work he was doing at Ferris,” said Kanagawa. “His passion and enthusiasm for championing education and centering HFC as an accessible first option continue to shine through in all that he does. His connection to and familiarity with Southeast Michigan will be an asset as he preps for the coming recruiting cycle."