By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Abbas Abdulhussein, APU Graduate
For manyimmigrants such as American Public University (APU) alumnus Abbas Abdulhussein, the Emma Lazarus quote “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” carries special symbolism. This line from her poem, “The New Colossus,” represents welcome, freedom and opportunity for people entering the United States.
A native of Iraq, Abbas emigrated with his family to the U.S. in 2007. “Although daily life in Iraq was simple, it was shaped by uncertainty and strict social rules. Life under dictatorship wasn’t easy, especially for young people,” Abbas recalls.
“My family immigrated to the United States due to dangerous living conditions. That move offered safety and new opportunities while reshaping my perspective on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of education,” he adds.
A Commitment to Education
Prior to his emigration, Abbas studied physics at the University of Baghdad. However, escalating violence soon made continuing his education impossible. “I was forced to discontinue my education due to the ongoing war and the dangerous conditions associated with traveling between cities in Iraq,” Abbas explains.
Determined to resume his academic journey, Abbas enrolled at APU and pursued a bachelor’s degree in homeland security. “I was drawn to the online format rather than a traditional, structured classroom setting. Once I enrolled and became familiar with the online platform, I found it easy to use and navigate as I pursued my bachelor’s degree,” he says.
Abbas went on to earn a master’s degree in education from APU. “My positive experience during my bachelor’s degree was the main reason I decided to return to APU to pursue my master’s degree,” he adds.
In the future, Abbas aspires to teach in higher education and support future learners. “I hope to secure a position in higher education and eventually teach at the collegiate level.”
Inspiring Courses and Mentors
Throughout his academic journey, several faculty members left a lasting impact on Abbas’s online learning experience.
A favorite course was “Research Methods in Higher Education,” taught by Professor Marie Isom. “Although the course was challenging, she made the material engaging and accessible. Her availability and willingness to answer my questions made a significant difference in my learning,” Abbas says.
Another impactful course was “Academic Advising Theory and Practice,” taught by Professor Sean Bogle. “I took several courses with Professor Bogle, which were all engaging. This class helped me understand how theory is applied in real-world practice.”
Abbas also says the Education practicum course, taught by Professor Janet Athanasiou (known to students as Dr. J) was a standout experience. “The opportunity to reflect on my interactions with professional advisors and students made the course especially meaningful. Professor Athanasiou provided consistent guidance and flexibility when I needed it.”
Serving with Purpose
Abbas’s journey in the United States extends beyond academics and includes a deep commitment to service. As a native Arabic speaker, he used his language and cultural expertise to assist U.S. military operations as a cultural advisor and later as a translator and interpreter.
“My language and cultural skills were the only assets I had in a new country, so I decided to use them to support the U.S. Army, I taught soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq. In this job, I witnessed tangible improvements in their cultural awareness, which significantly contributed to their mission success.”
Abbas currently works for the U.S. Department of War as an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test Administrator, helping military applicants to determine their skills and identify potential career paths.
Words of Wisdom for Future Generations
For other students, Abbas offers three lessons:
- “Protect your ethics and your voice.” Staying true to your values is essential to success.
- “Be flexible and keep learning.” Lifelong education builds resilience, even when the road ahead isn’t straight.
- “Treat your work as a bridge, not just a skill.” Each experience, he says, can connect you to new opportunities and greater purpose.
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 16 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
Comments are closed.