SCHENECTADY – It’s hard enough to figure out the college admissions process just after turning 18.
It’s even harder at only 15.
But, that didn’t stop Mohammad Dhailia, who recently became The College of Saint Rose’s youngest dual-degree graduate at 19 years old.
Dhailia earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration in just three and a half years, finishing his studies in May, after enrolling as a 16 year old.
The Schenectady-raised teen graduated from Bright Hope Academy in 2019 alongside Elham Malik, who became Siena College’s youngest graduate last year. Bright Hope, which opened in 2017, is a private school with a focus on accelerated learning.
The pace worked well for Dhailia, and he reprised the process during his collegiate years — earning his two degrees in less time than many student gets one.
“I had to take summer classes,” he said, “and take a lot of courses during the semester. I was really pushing myself to take as many courses as I could.”
Dhailia credits his mother for pushing him to try, saying her unwavering support is what made it all seem attainable.
“It’s really nice, I’m really proud — I know my mom is too. She’s the one who pushed me,” Dhailia said. “When I first started, I told her it’s a possible to graduate in three years. So she said, ‘Okay, why not do your masters?’”
So, Dhailia crunched the numbers and realized that, with some special effort, he could get both degrees on a faster track.
Despite the academic rigor, he exercised each semester and found time to be an active member of the campus community beyond the classroom. Between commuting to campus and summer classes, he was a member of at least seven clubs throughout his time at Saint Rose, including, but limited to, the Muslim Students Association, the Black Student Union and the Peace Action Group.
Most notable though was his dedication to community service. Dhailia did a work-study program with the community service office and Interfaith Sanctuary, and participated in even more of their endeavors just for fun.
Luckily for him, the highlight of his collegiate career happens every year. Reach Out Saint Rose is an annual event where the campus community comes together to do volunteer work throughout the Capital Region.
“I’ll miss it as a student, but I plan to return as a chaperone,” Dhailia said.
Even wunderkinds come across challenges during those tumultuous collegiate years.
“I do think it did show,” Dhailia said about his age. “It was sometimes a struggle to communicate because I didn’t feel like I belonged because I was a bit younger.”
Traditionally, Saint Rose has a line of flags adorning the stage at commencement. The flags are a representation of the different nations represented in Saint Rose’s student body. However, the Palestinian flag remains absent. To give the nation the nod he feels it deserves, Dhailia brought his own. He walked across the stage with the flag outstretched in his arms, decreeing “This for the Palestinian people,” before exiting.
“There’s obviously political reasons — or anything like that — the administration of Saint Rose may want to avoid. But as a student, that isn’t something I want to avoid,” Dhailia said.
Before moving to the Schenectady area as a young child, Dhailia lived in Dallas and Chicago. The family moved to New York when Dhailia’s mother was presented with a new employment opportunity.
Following his recent matriculation, Dhailia is in search of any job opportunities in the business sector. Specifically, he hopes to be able to work with the two passions he discovered in college, horticulture and community service.
“I really wanted to just help anybody I could and make Saint Rose as home as possible.”
Contact reporter Ameara Ditsche at [email protected]. Keep up with her on Twitter @amearaisawriter.
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