The-Journey-from-Student-Worker-to-Campus-Leader.php

The Journey from Student Worker to Campus Leader

• Students
• 07/09/2026

When Mohammed Alzubaidi first arrived in Rockford, he was searching for a place to grow and belong. Rock Valley College offered that sense of community.

 

“When I first came to the United States, I had only been here for about two months and was not very familiar with the American college system,” Mohamed recalls. “Starting at a smaller college allowed me to better understand how the system works, engage more easily with the community, and immerse myself in American culture and language in a more supportive environment.”

Now studying nursing as the first step toward medical school, Mohammed’s passion for helping others was shaped by early experiences growing up in a region affected by war and limited healthcare. “Without struggle, true empathy does not develop,” he says. “Seeing what my family, friends, and community went through inspired me to become someone who can save lives.”

As a student worker on campus, Mohamed noticed how much student employees and their supervisors contribute behind the scenes. “For many of us, this job is not just about earning an hourly wage it’s about gaining experience and building empathy. Because we are students ourselves, we understand the challenges other students face and can support them on a deeper level.”

This realization sparked an idea: a celebration just for student workers and the supervisors who support them. Mohamed’s goal was simple shine a light on the everyday contributions that make RVC a welcoming and supportive place.

Created by Mohammed and launched in May 2026, the W Awards are Rock Valley College’s annual celebration recognizing outstanding student employees and their supervisors for their excellence, growth, reliability, service, and positive impact on campus. The awards honor the dedication of student workers and the mentorship of supervisors, shining a light on the vital role they play in building a welcoming and supportive campus community. With categories from customer service and teamwork to innovation and mentorship, the W Awards have quickly become a new tradition at RVC.

“You can’t underestimate how important it is to celebrate belonging in the workplace,” said Alex Luft, Director of Career Services and Mohammed’s supervisor. “The W Awards are a way for students like Mohammed to recognize their own achievements and what those achievements might lead to next.”

Mohammed’s impact doesn’t end with the W Awards. He founded and leads RVC’s Model United Nations club, built new partnerships with local schools and universities, and was elected President of the Student Government Association. Through these roles, he’s developed skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork skills he says will serve him for years to come.

His journey wasn’t always easy. Arriving in the U.S. with little English, he pushed himself to connect, engage, and lead. “Improvement comes with consistency, and over time, my confidence and language skills grew.” Even tough nursing courses full of complex medical terms in a new language couldn’t stop his determination.

Mohammed plans to complete his nursing program, earn his bachelor’s degree, and pursue medical school, with a dream of combining medicine and global health leadership with the United Nations or World Health Organization.

“The experiences I have gained here both academically and through involvement on campus have given me a solid foundation to continue growing and achieving my goals.”

His advice? “Always lead with empathy. Put yourself in other people’s perspective and ask what you would do in their situation.”

Through his leadership, service, and creation of the W Awards, Mohammed has left a lasting mark on Rock Valley College proof that one idea, fueled by empathy and determination, can become a new tradition for the entire campus.