Hassina Adams

The life lessons Hassina Adams’ mother taught her while growing up in South Africa are with her every day. Her mother struggled to raise four children on her own. She didn’t have the financial means but more than made up for it with the wisdom she shared. “My mom raised me to have a target, have a goal, implement a plan which would allow me to reach that goal and execute it. That’s how I’ve lived my life. I don’t do Plan B’s. I only have Plan A’s and somehow it has always worked out.”

Adams’ mother passed away two years ago. A short time later she moved to the United States and enrolled at OCC where she's been an outstanding student. Adams is a member of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (known as C-STEP), president of the History Club and is the International Club student associate. She'll be inducted into international honor society Phi Theta Kappa November 1.

Adams is also very active in her community. She works at a refugee center three nights a week as is the head teacher for a class of middle school-aged girls. She helps them with homework while focusing on subjects they are struggling in.

Adams will receive her associate degree in December 2017. She plans to transfer to a four-year college where she will double major in international relations and political science on her way to becoming a lawyer. “I want to advocate for refugees whose voices are silenced. In South Africa there is a large social inequality between refugees and citizens. I want to do something for humanity.”

As Adams continues on her journey the lessons handed down from one generation to the next will be her guideposts. “My mother is the most influential person in my life. She gave me the steps I needed to live my life. Now that she’s gone I can stand on my own two feet and say, ‘I can do it.’ She always wanted to help people and I hope to continue her legacy. My service to the community has helped in affirming my aspiration to become a human rights lawyer.”