Morocco To Bloomfield: Fashion Designer’s Immigrant Success Story

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Amal Bendriss was a middle school art teacher and freelance fashion designer in her native country of Morocco. When she came to the United States in 1998, she struggled to learn the English language, working in retail to support her family and two children.

But on Friday, the Bloomfield resident is poised to mark a milestone in her life when she graduates magna cum laude from Berkeley College.

Bendriss will receive a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Berkeley College during a commencement ceremony on May 10 at the Prudential Center in Newark. A high-achieving member of the college’s honors program and National Society of Leadership and Success, she plans to use her art skills to make a mark on the fashion industry, perhaps even opening an agency of her own one day.

“It was very difficult to land a job in a creative field without upgrading my knowledge of the software,” Bendriss said. “Now every morning I wake up feeling grateful, knowing that I am ready for the job market.”

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Bendriss’s experience at college wasn’t just academic, it also taught her some valuable life lessons, she said.

She said her fondest memories include sharing the stage with her son, El Mehdi, also a standout Berkeley College student, as they were honored as President’s List recipients. She credited her husband and family with supporting her on her journey to the graduation stage.

“I wasn’t just a student – I truly became involved in every aspect of college life,” Bendriss said. “I have learned so much while helping others.”

For example, during her time at Berkeley College, Bendriss served as a peer tutor in the Center for Academic Success, providing academic support to other students.

“Amal was one of the most talented tutors ever in the Center for Academic Success,” said Andrew Selig, director of the Center for Academic Success at Berkeley College in Woodland Park.

“Her dedication, content knowledge and personality put her right at the top,” Selig continued. “I’m confident we will read more good things about her very soon.”

Bendriss offered some inspirational advice for students seeking to follow in her footsteps.

“Use all the resources college offers you to improve and prepare for your future,” she encouraged. “Be engaged, involved and committed to your goals. Don’t settle for average – aim high.”

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