Haf Sar

When Haf Sar joined On Point for College in 2024, she was in her second year at Mohawk Valley Community College and preparing to take the next step in her education. Less than a year later, she graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration and received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, the highest honor SUNY presents to students.

Born in Myanmar and raised in Malaysia, Haf earned a 3.46 GPA at MVCC while becoming involved in several campus organizations. She was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, and went on to serve as vice president of fellowship for MVCC’s Lambda Beta Chapter. In 2025, Haf and her fellow chapter officers received the Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award at the Phi Theta Kappa New York Regional Convention. Haf also received the Jodi Oriel Leadership Scholarship.

Haf’s interest in entrepreneurship became an important part of her college experience. As an honors student, she researched the challenges women of color face when starting businesses in the United States. In December 2024, she presented her research, “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Overcoming Barriers to Business Success,” at MVCC’s Fall Honors Research Symposium.

She also joined MVCC’s Future Business Leaders of America. In spring 2025, Haf and fellow On Point student MuNiDa Be competed at the New Jersey/New York FBLA State Leadership Conference. Haf placed fifth in Foundations of Entrepreneurship, and she and MuNiDa placed sixth in the Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition.

As graduation approached, On Point helped Haf prepare for what came next. Advisors worked with her on transferring to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, applying for financial aid, and pursuing scholarship opportunities. When Haf applied for a scholarship through the Zonta Club of Utica, On Point helped her with the application and submission process. She was awarded a $1,500 scholarship to continue her education.

That support didn’t end when Haf graduated from MVCC. On Point has continued helping her navigate financial aid at SUNY Poly while Career Services has worked with her on her resume, internship opportunities, and job search.

Haf is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at SUNY Poly and expects to graduate in May 2027. She hopes to eventually start her own business, with a goal of contributing to economic growth while creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds.