High school student, college leader—Rahma Jaara
At 17 years old, Rahma Jaara is already juggling more than most seasoned college students. She’s enrolled in the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) college prep program at International Academy East in Troy, takes two classes a semester at Oakland Community College, and volunteers weekly at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak.
And now, this dual-enrolled high school student is also OCC’s new Student Government president.
How does she do it all?
“The secret is I love my Google calendar, it’s my best friend,” she laughs. “And, I have a supportive family which makes all the difference. I’m really grateful for them.”
Starting strong
Jaara dove into her new role before the academic year got started. She began her term speaking at OCC’s New Student Kick-Off and representing students at a College and Community Engagement Forum for a proposed athletic complex at the Orchard Ridge campus this summer. She’s no stranger to leadership, having served as a Peer Mentor at OCC, and helping freshmen transition into the IB program at her high school.
Her commitment to community and creativity show up beyond academics. While volunteering at Corewell, she pitched an idea to bring an art cart filled with supplies to hospital patients and made it happen.
OCC Dean of Student Engagement Stacey Crews said Jaara embodies the qualities of an exceptional student leader who will bring positive change to the College.
“Rahma’s dedication to inclusivity and commitment to amplifying student voices are
inspiring,” said Crews. “She connects with her peers, fosters an environment where
every student feels valued, brings innovative ideas for promoting genuine care and
well-being across our community.”
Q&A with Rahma Jaara
What would you like students to know about you?
My number one goal is to make everyone feel welcome. I’m here for them if they need
anything, and I want them to feel they belong and encourage them to get involved.
What is your area of study, and why did you choose it?
I hope to work in public health and eventually go to medical school. My biggest inspiration
is my mother, a rehabilitation nurse. I’ve (volunteered) in the health care system
… and have seen you can truly make a difference.
What is your biggest priority for this academic year?
Student engagement with a student-based approach. Not just what I think OCC needs,
but to listen to students and hear what they want and learn how we can improve their
experience at OCC.
What do you view as your role as Student Government President?
Teamwork. OCC’s Student Government supports a lot of student organizations and clubs.
We didn’t have a budget before this year. We worked together to pitch a proposal,
and now we have funding to bring more opportunities to students. A lot of it is going
to event programming for students and connectedness. We are grateful the Chancellor
is willing to give our organization a chance.
OCC students are taking classes online, in person or hybrid, and the majority work and balance outside commitments. How can we build a strong student community with such diverse needs?
Inclusivity. It can be challenging with such a diverse population, but that is the
beautiful thing about OCC. We will focus on both in-person events and online workshops
(to build our community).
What was the main message you wanted new students to walk away with after your speech
at the New Student Success Kick-Off?"
It’s ok to be scared when starting somewhere new—and getting involved makes all the difference. It was a big risk for me as a high school student to run for Student Government president. I was intimated at first, and getting involved was the best decision I made.
What do you like best about OCC?
I love the student community! We all come together despite being so different and become friends. I’ve never seen such a diverse community. I also love the environment, especially the faculty and administration. They are so supportive, and that means a lot. The clubs we have are pretty cool, too.
Check out OCC’s Student Government officers and meeting schedule for Fall 2025.
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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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu