It’s been a journey of firsts for Fox School graduate Fahad Ali (left) who has made time to be actively involved at Temple and Freire Charter School.
Name: Fahad Ali
Major: Finance and Human Resource Management
Hometown: West Philadelphia
You could say finance and human resources management major Fahad Ali likes being first.
When Freire Charter Schoolopened its doors in 2012, Ali was among the first class of fifth graders.
Then, in his senior year of high school, a new opportunity came his way: he was part of one of the first cohorts of B4U Soar students at Temple University.
Offered through the Fox School, the B4U Soar program is designed to provide juniors and seniors from Philadelphia’s public and charter high schools with the ability to attend Temple classes alongside college students and earn up to six tuition-free college credits.
Hearing about the unique opportunity, Ali jumped at the chance.
“Any opportunity for a student to take college classes for free is amazing,” says Ali, a member of the class of 2024. “I think the experience is just invaluable—understanding how Canvas works, how to submit assignments, understanding quizzes and strict deadlines.”
Ali’s B4USoar experience didn’t just end in the classroom. He recalls utilizing resources on campus and forging connections with students.
“BU4 Soar gave me the opportunity to experience what a campus was like,” says Ali. “Playing basketball with my friends, meeting people, going to events in the spring—that’s what a college campus is supposed to feel like.”
After participating in the B4U Soar program, Ali decided to enroll as a finance and human resource management major at the Fox School of Business. During his time in college, he stayed close to his close-knit Freire Charter School community.
After a conversation with the school’s CEO, he began working as an alumni relations coordinator for the school, sparking an interest in working for an educational institution. Ali then worked at Independence Charter Schools, where he was able to work with children directly and coach basketball.
He then interned for PNC, before returning back to his Freire roots as an accounting coordinator.
While working, Ali was able to navigate both work and school responsibilities through flexible online courses. His priority, he says, is giving kids the opportunity to succeed.
“The work is hard, but it doesn’t feel hard because I really want to be there,” says Ali. “That’s what I love about working at Friere — it’s never meaningless work. Everything I do directly impacts the kids.”
After he graduates, Ali shares his intention to continue working for Freire.
“Sometimes what you go to college for might lead you to a different path, and don’t block that blessing just because it’s not in direct correlation to what you expect it to be,” he says.