(Butler, PA) An Arabic- and French-speaking Moroccan seeking to return to steel industry leadership has progressed from Butler County Community College’s adult literacy courses in English as a second language to its business management career program to achieving a grade-point average high enough to enter the second of the college’s honor societies.
Khadija Akhouad left her position as a section head at ArcelorMittal Sonasid, a manufacturer of steel rods and bars in Casablanca, and moved to Seven Fields in July 2019 when her husband, Youssef Bachra, accepted a job as an automation engineer in Cranberry Woods.
The next month, Akhouad registered for an English as a second language beginners course offered by BC3’s adult literacy program and held at BC3 @ Cranberry.
Akhouad continued to ESL intermediate and to ESL advanced, enrolled in BC3’s business management program and this fall has become a member of the college’s Delta Kappa chapter of Kappa Beta Delta, an international honor society for business programs.
“Khadija didn’t feel confident getting out there in the business world because of the language barrier.”
“I can’t imagine just walking into a new country and trying to demonstrate that experience in a new language.”
She became a member in the spring of the college’s Rho Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honor society for two-year colleges and programs.
New members of each honor society must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5.
Akhouad has achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.75 in her first two semesters at BC3 and has been named twice to the college’s president’s list.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in logistics management and integrated production from Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France; and a master’s degree in business management and administration from the National School of Commerce and Management in El Jadida, Morocco.
“Khadija didn’t feel confident getting out there in the business world because of the language barrier,” said Deborah Kane, a professor in BC3’s business and information technology division and adviser of Delta Kappa.
“I can’t imagine just walking into a new country and trying to demonstrate that experience in a new language,” said Dr. Josh Novak, BC3’s dean of students and primary adviser of Rho Phi.
BC3’s English as a second language courses “played a crucial role in improving my academic confidence. These courses significantly enhanced my English language skills and communication abilities.”
“Well prepared … in an English-speaking environment”
The college’s English as a second language courses were, Akhouad said, “a turning point.”
“They played a crucial role in improving my academic confidence,” she said. “These courses significantly enhanced my English language skills and communication abilities … As a result, I was able to pursue a business management program with greater ease, feeling well prepared to succeed academically in an English-speaking environment.”
Akhouad, Novak said, is “truly a success story. She has been able to leverage what BC3 has to offer to take her extensive and substantial experience and turn that into something that she can repackage here in the United States and accomplish a new set of goals with a new language.”
Barb Gade is grant director of BC3’s adult literacy program, which offers free English as a second language courses in Butler County.
“Once students learn the language, they do wonders,” Gade said. “The classes prepare them to go on and do bigger and better things. Khadija has really applied herself. She stuck with it. She progressed, and as she was progressing, she had ideas of what she wanted to do.”
“She belongs in the business world”
Students in BC3’s associate degree career programs such as business management can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
“Khadija is taking classes here so that she can learn the business language and understand business in the United States,” Kane said. “She’s inspiring. She needs to get out there. She really belongs in the business world in the U.S. because she is more than ready.”
Akhouad served as the section head at ArcelorMittal Sonasid for more than 17 years. She expects to graduate from BC3 in May.
“I aspire to take this experience and passion to the next level, where I can lead and inspire teams to achieve their fullest potential while contributing to the steel industry’s progress,” Akhouad said, “and making a positive impact through my leadership abilities.”
Nine other students enter BC3 honor societies
Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours in BC3’s business division, who are pursuing an associate degree in a business program and who meet academic requirements are eligible for membership in Delta Kappa, formed at BC3 in 2019.
Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours toward an associate degree or six credit hours toward a one-year certificate and who meet academic requirements are eligible for membership in Rho Phi, established at BC3 in 1968.
Akhouad became a member of Delta Kappa and Rho Phi “because they offer a comprehensive package of benefits encompassing networking, financial support, community service, personal development, leadership training and career exploration,” she said. “These opportunities align with my educational and career goals, making my membership a valuable addition to my academic journey.”
She serves as treasurer of Rho Phi and joins 36 other BC3 students to have become members of each honor society since 2019, Novak said.
Other new Delta Kappa members this fall are Amari Madliger, business administration, Butler; and Steven Pander, computer information systems-programming specialist, Portersville.
New Rho Phi members this fall are Barbara Bauer, Nursing, R.N., Seven Fields; Sara Idso, early childhood education (Pre K-4), Butler; Jonah Kozora, computer science, Mars; Katie Maines, health care science, Rockton; Alexandra Miranda, psychology, Butler; James Meier, addiction recovery, Sharon; and Melissa Wolfe, accounting skills, Butler.
