A story of transformation and growth
As Vice-President of Leadership for OCC’s Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) honor chapter, Ayisha Sabahat has found more than academic recognition—she's found a place to grow, lead and connect.
“By being in Phi Theta Kappa, I know that I have had more opportunities, with better results,” said Sabahat.
PTK’s mission is to recognize college students’ academic achievements and provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Sabahat has embraced that mission fully, thriving both in and out of the classroom.
"I gained experience in many areas, but hosting events was my favorite part,” she said. “Whether it was a general meeting or a social gathering, it brought the entire team together.”
Sabahat enjoyed collaborating with her teammates to share ideas and explore different ways to make each event successful, even when they had to make last-minute adjustments.
“The experience helped me develop critical thinking skills and taught me how to adapt and make the most of the resources we had."
From reserved to respected to leader
Sabahat is entering into the College’s Dental Hygiene program and is two years from graduation.
According to Stacey Crews, OCC’s Dean of Student Engagement. Sabahat's growth at OCC has been “notable.” She has been advising Sabahat for the past two years and knew her as a very reserved individual who has steadily stepped out of her comfort zone and is now “quite vocal and involved.”
“Ayisha is a mentor to her peers—and a leader,” Crews said. “I have witnessed her tremendous growth in both confidence and influence having served as vice president of both PTK and student government. She inspires other students with her commitment and dedication.”
A creative, well-rounded life
Sabahat lives with her family in Rochester Hills. Her father works in the automotive industry and her mother in the service industry. Her older brother is a student in Canada, and her younger sister studies at Oakland University.
In her downtime, she enjoys painting in oils and watercolor, and is considering experimenting with digital art. She recently combined her creative talents with her PTK leadership by designing a t-shirt for the organization’s Michigan regional conference. The blue shirt, printed with white ink, features a circle representing the world, with Michigan and the PTK logo in the center, framed by olive branches to represent peace. The shirts were a huge success among both students and advisors.
Words of advice to other students
As Sabahat continues her journey at OCC, she encourages other students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
“Get involved! There’s so much here at OCC—new skills to learn, different cultures to connect with, and people to inspire you. Don’t underestimate the value of the connections you make here—they are important academically, personally and going forward.”
About OCC
Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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