Ahmed Musa’s American Dream

From Egypt to Des Moines, Ahmed Musa’s journey to Simpson College spans more than 6,500 miles.

Musa, a first generation student spent the first two years of his life in Egypt, before his family moved to the east coast of the United States. Musa’s family has now put down roots in Iowa.

“My parents wanted me to have a better life in America,” said Musa. “They wanted me to achieve the American dream to go to college and be successful.”

The oldest of six kids, Musa is following his parents’ wishes while enrolled at Simpson College. The transition to another continent was easy due to Musa’s young age, but moving to college just 20 miles south of his parents proved to be a challenge.

“I wasn’t prepared for college and had no idea what the lifestyle was like since my parents hadn't experienced the academic life here in the U.S.,” said Musa. “I was homesick at first and not used to campus, so I would always go home when I could during the season.”

Now a junior on the men’s basketball team, Musa has relied on athletics and TRIO-Student Support Services to help him build a strong foundation. “I meet with Marzia CorniBenson (former director of TRIO-Student Support Services and current director of foundation and government support programs) every other week to keep her updated and we constructed a plan on what needed to be done,” he said. TRIO has given tools to Musa so he can succeed on campus; now, he gives back to fellow first-generation students.

Since Musa is the first in his family to go through the college application process, he is tasked with helping his siblings fill out scholarship forms, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and even set up tours at schools. He is familiar with helping people through obstacles as he supported his parents during the process of becoming U.S citizens after he was awarded citizenship in 2018.

Musa’s helping hand stretches further than his family as he’s already developed a company, the Laced Up Foundation, that’s changing lives in Des Moines. The project is designed to donate shoes to at-risk youth and the homeless, while trying to create awareness of poverty in the

“Helping those around you can lead to things you’ve never imagined.” – Ahmed Musa '21 Interactive Media Major

Des Moines Area. “I’m doing this because I want to create a spark for those around me and show that change really starts with you,” he said. “Helping those around you can lead to things you’ve never imagined.”

Musa’s desire to help others started right before he came to Simpson. There was a place near his home where he could donate items. “Shoes can be materialistic, but they are a key stepping stone to being successful,” he said. “Without shoes, you can’t go to school, get a job or do other things to become successful in life.”

The basketball community that Musa has been part of has shown interest in his foundation. In fact, a former coach has donated more than 200 pairs of shoes to help Musa nurture his business, which has grown due to posters being shared around campus and in the community.

“I’m trying to be a role model for my siblings and for my community.”

Musa, a first generation student spent the first two years of his life in Egypt, before his family moved to the east coast of the United States. Musa’s family has now put down roots in Iowa.

“My parents wanted me to have a better life in America,” said Musa. “They wanted me to achieve the American dream to go to college and be successful.”

The oldest of six kids, Musa is following his parents’ wishes while enrolled at Simpson College. The transition to another continent was easy due to Musa’s young age, but moving to college just 20 miles south of his parents proved to be a challenge.

“I wasn’t prepared for college and had no idea what the lifestyle was like since my parents hadn't experienced the academic life here in the U.S.,” said Musa. “I was homesick at first and not used to campus, so I would always go home when I could during the season.”