(June 29, 2022) – Graduating seniors of the Muslim Community Center (MCCA) Academy have a leg up on earning their college degree thanks to an academic partnership between Oakton College and MCCA. Eleven MCCA grads earned an average of more than 20 hours of college credit while still in high school through Oakton’s Early College Programs, which include the Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment programs. MCCA students enrolled in classes taught by Oakton’s faculty at Oakton’s campuses or online during their junior and senior years. The graduates celebrated their accomplishments at a ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Skokie on June 14.
Graduates include:
Omais Ahmed
Tooba Ahmed
Syed Abdul-Samad Aqueel (valedictorian)
Leila Bouqartacha
Manal Ghori (valedictorian)
Huda Ijaz
Umer Khan
Khushbakht Latif
Farhatoon Memon
Maliakah Shaikh
Humzah Syed
Faculty and staff from Oakton and MCCA joined graduates at the ceremony, which included a Qur’an recitation & translation, and remarks from MCCA Principal Salma Ahmed and Superintendent Habeeb Quadri. Northwestern University predoctoral fellow Ustadh Mohammed Tayssir Safi delivered the keynote address.
Graduates are now slated to attend the following colleges: (3) Oakton, (2) Loyola University, (4) DePaul University, (1) University of Illinois Chicago, and (1) DaruSalam Islamic School.
“At Oakton, we are committed to creating innovative learning experiences to transform students’ lives and help them reach their unique goals — and our partnership with MCCA is an example of that, said Anne O. Brennan, Oakton’s Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and College Transitions. “We wish this year’s graduates all the best in their next steps and look forward to continuing our partnership with MCCA for years to come.”
MCC Academy is an Islamic K-12 school that offers pre-kindergarten and elementary school classes in Skokie and middle school and secondary students attend courses in Morton Grove.
Oakton’s Early College Program offers three ways for academically qualified high school students to earn early college credit via dual credit, advanced placement, and concurrent enrollment. Parents of students attending public or private high schools within Oakton’s district can visit Early College for more information.