Side by Side to Success: Twin sisters achieve bachelor’s degrees at 19 

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 9, 2024) Twin sisters Salma and Wafa Hussein have gone through most stages of their life side by side. They graduated high school together at 17, pushing through advanced courses and determined to graduate early. Their success supported their efforts to do the same with higher education, taking classes during every available term. At just 19 years old, they are celebrating another joint milestone: graduating with their bachelor’s degrees on the same day, from the same university. 

“It’s very special,” Salma Hussein said. “We’ve been together, they haven’t been able to separate us since birth.” 

To add onto their academic success, Wafa and Salma are first-generation college students, achieving their dreams beyond expectations.  

“We are living at home, which gives us time to focus on our degree and focus on getting somewhere, especially being the first college graduates in our family,” Wafa Hussein said. 

Like many twin siblings, Salma and Wafa completed major life milestones at the same time, but the sisters took that opportunity to the next level by submitting their applications at the same time. As luck would have it, their acceptance emails for Empire State University came in on the same day. Now, they will celebrate their graduation as a family.  

“We have our whole family coming to the graduation, and family is a huge part of us,” Wafa Hussein said. “Everything we do relies on family, and having them there is going to be the best present we could think of.” 

While both sisters wanted to attend the same university, each has their own reasons for why Empire State University was the right fit.  

“The business program was especially appealing to me,” Salma Hussein said. “My goal is to develop a strong foundation in business management, finance, and leadership so I can advance my career, whether it’s in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, or another business-focused role.”  

“The university is very flexible, especially as an online student,” Wafa Hussein said. “It gives me time to tackle my studies and other responsibilities, which is important to me. I am enrolled in the psychology program and my goal is to become a licensed therapist or work as a counselor. I am very passionate about mental health and helping others, and I hope to use this degree to navigate through challenges and improve the well-being of others.”  

Wafa Hussein said the university’s focus on allowing students to personalize their academic experience made all the difference while reaching her academic goals.  

“I had such incredible professors that were always there to help me, and I felt like I was working at my own pace,” Wafa Hussein said. “That’s something you wouldn’t get by going to a regular college. At SUNY Empire, everything was at my pace and all of my professors were willing to work with my schedule. They emphasized independent study, and it fit into my schedule and how I learn.”  

For Salma, flexibility and online education were main priorities for her undergraduate education.  

“The flexibility of the online format has allowed me to work at my own pace, which has been great for balancing my studies, and the professors were really supportive,” Salma said.  

After graduation, Wafa Hussein said she hopes to look at entry level jobs that will put her on a path to become a licensed therapist. Salma Hussein also plans to enter the workforce and pursue entry level roles in business.