Mahmoud Zayyad | Health Systems Management, 2025

From uncertainty to leadership and impact — JMC alumnus Mahmoud Zayyad represents a journey of determination, growth, and community engagement.

A 2025 graduate of the Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC), Mahmoud arrived at the College after a year spent working as a street cleaner in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, often passing by JMC without imagining he would one day study there. 

“I came in with no clear plan or direction,” he says, “but JMC helped me discover my potential.”

Today, at just 24 years old, Mahmoud is deeply involved in the JMC community in multiple roles — serving as a coordinator for first-year students, working with the Hebrew program, and supporting students in his academic department, Health Management Systems. Alongside this, he coordinates “Ma’ayan Bamidbar,” a Jewish-Arab coexistence scholarship program, and recently received a Social Impact Award for his leadership and community engagement.

One moment that stands out in his journey is the Dean’s List recognition ceremony, which he remembers as a defining experience of belonging and achievement. Coming from a family with no prior academic background, Mahmoud describes strong family support as a key factor in his success, even when his path was unfamiliar within his broader community.

Not everyone around him initially supported his academic direction, but Mahmoud has remained committed to building bridges. “I try to be a bridge,” he says, reflecting on his role in fostering connection and understanding across communities.

A top student, mentor, and educator, Mahmoud is now considering pursuing a master’s degree and possibly a future in academia. “I’ve found I have a talent for teaching,” he shares, “and I want to stay part of this community and keep giving back.”

We are proud to spotlight Mahmoud — a member of the JMC alumni community whose journey reflects resilience, leadership, and the power of education to open new paths.