Former Track Standout at ECC Now a Head Coach

Coach Fawzia Kheir

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Fawzia Kheir was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American when she was an ECC track standout. She ended her career at ECC as a six-time NJCAA Division I Track and Field All-American and two-time NJCAA Region XIX Cross Country Champion.

Now she is known as Coach Kheir, serving as the newly-named Cross Country and Track & Field coach at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Her biggest challenge is building a program, literally “from scratch.” This is only the second year the school is offering intercollegiate Cross Country.  

“I spent the summer getting students to try out for the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams. I believe we are off to a promising start,” stated Coach Kheir, a member of ECC’s Class of 2014 who earned an Associate degree in General Science. Originally hired as Cross Country coach in the summer, she was also named Track & Field coach in September. 

Previously, Coach Kheir served as an assistant coach at NJIT. “I learned a lot at NJIT, especially with recruiting. I worked mostly with the middle distance runners. That experience will help me going forward.” 

Following her graduation from ECC, Coach Kheir had an outstanding athletic career at Winston Salem State University. She captured NCAA Division II All-American Honors in the 800 meters and still holds the school’s all-time program record in the event with a time of 2:10.10.

Coach Kheir said she will pull from her ECC experiences in building the Manhattan programs. “Essex County College was a huge stepping stone for my athletic career. I learned that hard work will pay off and we did have to work hard.” She credits the late ECC Track Coach Michael Smart as pushing her to do her best. “He believed in me and told me where ever I go I will always shine.”

She holds dual citizenship with the United States and Egypt, and runs competitively for the Egyptian National Track & Field Team.