Student voices help shape OCC's new student food pantry
Creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable accessing campus
resources and support is essential to the success of Oakland Community College’s new
Nest Student Food Pantry.
OCC graduate Atheel AbuShaira heard that message clearly while leading student focus
groups through an experiential learning project with the College’s Institutional Standards and Practices department.
"Students repeatedly described embarrassment, stigma, pride and fear of judgment as
the primary reasons they or their peers would not seek help, even when they genuinely
need it,” AbuShaira said. “We need to work on reducing stigma and creating a welcoming
environment. The Nest is available to all students, regardless of their financial
situation.”
Over three months, AbuShaira gathered student feedback and helped prepare for The
Nest's September opening on all OCC campuses. The project allowed her to apply skills
from OCC’s Mental Health and Social Work program.
She began each focus group with casual conversation to help students feel comfortable,
practiced active listening and organized their feedback into key findings and recommendations.
“It is really important for the success of The Nest Food Pantry to engage students
by listening to them, helping them feel they belong and implementing their feedback
whenever possible,” she said.
Building skills beyond the classroom
AbuShaira's experience demonstrates how experiential learning prepares students for
the workforce.
“I learned how to communicate more effectively,” she said. “This experience reinforced
my interest in social work and taught me how to advocate for others, be accessible
to my clients, and connect them with services.”
According to Kristina Marshall, Director of Institutional Standards and Practices,
AbuShaira brought an important student perspective to The Nest. Marshall praised her
professionalism and commitment to support others. Her involvement also helped students
understand that food pantries and other basic-needs resources are part of a strong
student support system.
“Just as students use tutoring, advising, counseling or the library, The Nest is another
resource available to help them succeed,” Marshall said. “Having students engaged
in this work reinforces that message while providing valuable experiential learning.”
Finding her calling
AbuShaira came to OCC in 2023 looking for a change. She and her husband and their
two daughters, now ages 14 and 12, moved to Michigan from the Middle East nine years
ago. Although she held a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and had worked in a pharmacy
for four years, she never found the work fulfilling.
She enrolled at OCC as an English as Second Language (ESL) student and began exploring careers centered on helping others. Nursing initially
appealed to her, but the 38-year-old mother knew 12-hour shifts wouldn’t fit her family’s
needs.
She then discovered OCC’s Mental Health and Social Work program and found it was a perfect match. AbuShaira earned her associate degree in
May 2026.
Turning feedback into resources
In addition to facilitating focus groups, AbuShaira promoted The Nest at campus tabling
events and developed a Campus Community Resource List and recipe card for pantry users.
The recipe card grew from a student focus group suggestion using pantry ingredients.
AbuShaira tested the concept, cooking up a tasty lentil soup and hopes similar cards
will be available to students during the Winter semester, in the second semester of
the program.
“Many students don’t have access to a full kitchen or the resources to make a complete
meal,” she said. “Sometimes they get items and don’t know how to use them. These recipe
cards offer meal ideas using items from The Nest that can be made with just a microwave,
or no cooking at all.”
Kelli Marks, Faculty Mental Health and Social Work, shared with this project, AbuShaira
applied classroom concepts to real-world service at OCC, strengthening her communication,
assessment, collaboration, outreach and program development skills.
“Atheel learned more about barriers students face, the policies and procedures that
guide institutional programs, and the reality that helping professionals must often
balance client or student needs with organizational rules, available resources and
other limitations,” Marks said. “This is an important part of ethical and effective
practice.”
AbuShaira said she is grateful for the opportunity to help shape The Nest and really
enjoyed the experience.
“I’m proud I was able to bring student perspectives into the planning process and
create a community resource guide for them that will directly support student well-being,”
she said. “When students don’t have to worry about food or other basic needs, they
can focus on learning.”
About OCC
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