Graduation Spotlight: Michael Fondong’s Comeback

This article is part of DSU’s Share Your Graduation Story series. 

When Michael Fondong began college, dentistry was his dream. However, after experiencing academic setbacks and racial isolation at a predominantly white institution, that dream nearly slipped away.

“There was a time when I almost gave up, not just on school, but on the dream I’d held since day one: becoming a dentist,” said Fondong, a biology major who now attends Delaware State University.

Fondong recalls the emotional and academic challenges he faced early in his college journey. “Biology and chemistry, subjects I once felt excited about, became daily battles,” he said. “Every failed test made me question whether I belonged in science at all.”

But it wasn’t just the coursework. As one of the few Black students in his classes, Fondong said he often felt invisible.

“My contributions in group work were overlooked, and I faced subtle microaggressions that left a lasting sting,” he said. “I still remember a classmate joking that I probably didn’t understand the lab assignment, a small comment on the surface, but deeply discouraging underneath.”

At one point, the combination of academic failure and social isolation led him to consider dropping out altogether.

“I seriously considered dropping out,” he said. “At one point, I even explored joining the military as a way to escape what felt like a cycle of disappointment.”

Instead, Fondong chose a different path and a new school. “I transferred to Delaware State University, and from the moment I arrived, everything changed,” he said.

“At DSU, I found more than just a new school, I found a community,” Fondong said. “I was surrounded by professors who believed in me, students who uplifted one another, and an environment where I no longer had to prove I belonged—I just did.”

That support, he said, reignited his purpose. “I went from struggling to stay afloat to standing strong in my purpose.”

Fondong has since participated in research, business competitions, and service projects—all experiences he says have shaped his journey toward a master’s program and dental school. However, one role that stood out most was tutoring.

“I saw myself in them: full of potential but unsure how to unlock it,” he said. “Tutoring gave me a sense of purpose that extended beyond academics—it gave me a reason to lead and uplift.”

Now, he’s focused on giving back. “I want to serve underserved communities. I want to be the role model I once needed,” Fondong said. “I want students from underrepresented backgrounds to see me and believe that they, too, belong in science—that they, too, can achieve the impossible.”

“I’m not just chasing a dream anymore,” Fondong said. “I’m living proof that you can rewrite your story with the right environment and support.”