Community Choice Credit Union Awards Scholarships to Dearborn Students

Four Dearborn-area students were among the 20 recepients of $100,000 in college scholarships awarded by the Community Choice Credit Union Foundation on May 9.

The credit union presented students across southeast Michigan with the scholarships at a special ceremony with state legislators and school officials earlier this week.

Recepients included: Mohamed Hussein Ghandour of Fordson High School in Dearborn; Nadeen Dakhlallah of Dearborn High School; Zied Shammout of Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights; and Nor Shammout of Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights.

“Five years ago, Community Choice Credit Union launched the Community Choice Foundation. At the time, we were looking for a solution to help stop the brain drain in Michigan,” said Robert Bava, president and CEO of Community Choice Credit Union.

“Since 2008, we have helped encourage the best and brightest to stay in Michigan and to utilize their education to give big to our communities. With a troubled economy, tough job market, and the rising costs of higher education, Michigan is struggling to keep its best and brightest students. While none of us can single-handedly solve these problems, we believe we can harness the cooperative spirit that our credit union was founded on to make a tremendous difference," he said.

The credit union’s attempt to help solve Michigan’s brain drain coincides with efforts by Gov. Rick Snyder, who held an economic summit in March focused on creating jobs and ending the brain drain. Census data reveals that Michigan experienced a 6.17 percent loss of its population with college degrees between 2000 and 2009; the largest drop amongst all 50 states.

“I hope to open up a local clinic where I can serve the under-served healthcare community,” said Dakhlallah. “I believe that the success of our state depends on future generations who are willing to put their time and effort into enriching our society. I am convinced that with hard work and determination, a crucial difference can be made in the state of Michigan.”

The Credit Union saw the biggest response since offering the scholarships with 335 applicants who applied this year. Criteria for selection of the winners included: GPA, volunteer service, a commitment to attend an accredited college in Michigan, a pledge to utilize each individual’s education to give back to Michigan communities, and county of residence.

Community Choice Credit Union Foundation members were joined by state legislators and school officials to celebrate the students' achievements earlier this week. The celebration featured keynote speaker Stephanie Bergeron, president and CEO of Walsh College.

“I admire the focus of Community Choice Foundation scholarships: keeping our best and brightest students in Michigan,” said Bergeron. “This pioneering effort to curtail the brain drain and promote Michigan’s success is exactly the right educational initiative.”

For more information, visit CommunityChoiceCUFoundation.com.