When Imran arrived in the United States from India in 2001, he was 18 years old and filled with hope for his future. But like many newcomers, he also faced uncertainty. Although he had completed high school in India, speaking English confidently was one of his greatest challenges, making the transition to life and education in the United States intimidating.

Fortunately, his family had already discovered Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Several relatives had attended before him, including a cousin who successfully transferred from NOVA to George Mason University. Their experiences made NOVA the natural place for Imran to begin his own educational journey.

His first step was enrolling in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at NOVA's Annandale Campus.

Those classes became much more than language instruction.

In India, Imran had grown up in classrooms where students rarely spoke up or asked questions. At NOVA, everything felt different. His instructors, Mary and Edith, encouraged every student to participate, ask questions, and share their ideas. For the first time, he felt that his voice mattered.

"That was a huge cultural shift for me," Imran recalled. "They wanted to hear from us. They made us feel like we belonged."

Like many NOVA students, Imran's path wasn't a straight line. Family responsibilities required him to pause his education while working multiple jobs to support those around him. Yet even as his plans changed, NOVA remained part of his life.

A work-study opportunity opened the door to employment at the college, beginning in Admissions and eventually leading to a full-time role as a Student Services Specialist. While balancing work and family, he also pursued an entrepreneurial dream, owning a T-Mobile dealership from 2008 to 2011.

Even during those years away from the classroom, the value of education never left him.

"The environment at NOVA gave me confidence," he said. "Being surrounded by educators every day reminded me that I wanted to finish what I started."

He returned to NOVA, earning his Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology in 2011 and completing additional industry certifications in 2014, all while working full-time.

Today, Imran serves as Director of Operations at NOVA, a career that began more than two decades ago as a work-study student. Along the way, he has served in numerous roles, including computer lab trainer, admissions coach, student services specialist, and operational leader, gaining firsthand knowledge of the many ways NOVA transforms lives.

His own family reflects that impact. After immigrating to the United States, his wife enrolled in NOVA's Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, launching a successful healthcare career. Several other family members have also attended NOVA, finding educational pathways that created new opportunities for themselves and their families.

"I've seen what NOVA can do, not just for me, but for many of my family and friends" Imran said.

Working closely with students has reinforced that belief every day. He has watched graduates from NOVA's healthcare programs receive job offers before completing their degrees, passing the same certification exams as graduates from four-year universities and entering careers that strengthen the region's workforce.

For Imran, donor support helps make those success stories possible.

"Every investment in NOVA creates opportunities that reach far beyond one student," he said. "When you help someone earn an education, you're changing the future of their family and their community."

Whether it's helping students afford tuition, access emergency assistance, or stay on track to graduation, every gift removes barriers and opens doors.

To empower bright futures for students please click here.

To join the NOVA Foundation Alumni and Friends Network, please click here.