March 13, 2024 — Abdul Samed’s journey in education began far from Connecticut, in the African country of Ghana. While he attended primary school there, his future took a different path—one that would lead him to the United States.
After arriving in New London, Samed obtained a GED, giving him the ability to apply for college. He also joined the Navy.
He said it was during an online search for Connecticut film schools that he found Middlesex Community College (now CT State Middlesex).
“I chose to attend Middlesex the moment I saw the state-of-the-art Center for New Media broadcast studio,” said Samed, who became a student with the help of GI Bill benefits.
Among his Middlesex memories are the camaraderie shared with his classmates, working on the Middlesex Moments show, going on location film shoots with Professor Dan Nocera, and his Film Study class. Samed also mentioned the guidance of professors John Shafer, Richard Lenoce and Rick Eriksen.
During his time as a Middlesex student, Samed interned for the Hallmark movie, The Holiday Fixup, which was filmed in Connecticut in 2021.
Samed graduated from Middlesex with an associate degree in Digital Media Production and a Film and Video Certificate in 2021.
“Three months after graduation, I decided to go to Africa, Ghana and Nigeria, to open my own digital film production company,” said Samed. “While I was in Nigeria, I shot and directed my first two feature movies, the titles are in Hausa language: HADUWAR JINI and TASIRIN SO. Both are now in post-production.”
With the help of a scholarship, Samed hopes to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the future.
To those considering a Middlesex education in media production, Samed said, “Middlesex has a lot to offer in terms of education and filmmaking equipment. They should make use of it, plan ahead on what they want to achieve in life after graduation, and go for it.”
Learn more about the Center for New Media at CT State Middlesex.
