Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Khaylen Mahdi, a self-designed entrepreneurial studies major from Holyoke, Massachusetts. Mahdi is a member of the men's basketball team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I decided to attend The College of Wooster in 2018 because of the opportunity to play basketball at the collegiate level as well as pursue my academic interests in business. Wooster provides a wide variety of fruitful resources which augment the students' academic performance and experience.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: To be a Fighting Scot student-athlete means to understand the importance and value of putting the community and culture first. It means to consistently welcome uncomfortable and potentially unfamiliar experiences to seek knowledge and growth. It also means approaching every situation with the intention of becoming a better version of yourself while helping others to do the same.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Some of my favorite memories as a student here at the College include celebrating my peers completing their Independent Study projects; winning the North Coast Athletic Conference championship, playing in the NCAA Div. III Championships, and traveling the country with my teammates.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The best part about being a student-athlete for the men's basketball program at Wooster is building relationships with the supportive community and fan base. The Rebounders have consistently shown support both in practice and at games in addition to providing positive reinforcement, advice, and encouragement throughout my time competing as a Fighting Scot. I learned a lot through conversations with Rebounders and am truly grateful to have formed a connection with these individuals.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I have been involved with a wide range of groups at Wooster. I am a student angel investor through the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund, a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, a member of Black Student Association, a member of Black Women's Organization, and a member of Wooster's campus chapter of the NAACP. I founded km.cuts, so I am a campus barber!
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Coach Steve Moore and Coach Bruce Martin both tremendously influenced how I approach both the game of basketball and life. They consistently gave me genuine, authentic advice as to how to become a better version of myself on and off the court. Observing their actions day-in and day-out revealed to me how to be a leader, how to lead by example, and ensure I always put my brothers first. You must remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow.
Q: Which other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: I would not be in the position I am today without the support of Sarah Ozar, associate director of admissions. She has advocated for me as an individual and student, even before I decided to attend Wooster. I am truly thankful for all that she has done. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Peter Abramo for the efforts he has contributed toward aiding my entrepreneurial aspirations and prospering through my undergraduate education.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: The advancement of Black business and enterprise has consistently amplified the Black community both economically and culturally. Black entrepreneurial activity has increasingly been a key measure of the solution to demographic differences in wealth. Oftentimes, the Black entrepreneur's personal experience through such economic, social, and cultural pressure is overlooked. In my I.S., I examine the Black entrepreneur's experience and relationship with society, as well as the extent to which the presence of business opportunities and obstacles affects the Black entrepreneur's ability to influence the Black community.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I had various enjoyable experiences as a student here at the College. Ashleigh Best, associate director of career planning, in APEX (Wooster's Center for Advising, Planning, and Experiential Learning) helped me land an internship with Adidas in Portland, Oregon in 2021. I enjoyed traveling to Santa Cruz, California, Daytona Beach, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona with my teammates for games.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: I'd share three pieces of advice with my first-year self. The first is consistently surround yourself with people and place yourself in environments that align with your purpose. The second is to emotionally detach yourself from the potential outcome and embrace the process. The third is do not take yourself or things too seriously. It is more than okay to fail.
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