The MSU grad and entrepreneur has won a fully-funded master’s degree and leadership program in Beijing

Mustafa Syed, a 2017 graduate of Skyline High School and a Michigan State University alum, has been named a Schwarzman Scholar. He is MSU’s second Schwarzman Scholar in the history of the award.
The Schwarzman Scholars program selects students from around the world for a fully funded one-year master’s degree and leadership program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Out of 5,000 global applicants, only 150 scholars were selected for this year’s cohort.
Syed, the son of Iftikhar Habib and Jabeen Bukhari, was born in England and moved to Michigan at the age of eight. He spent much of his childhood in northern Michigan, living in Roscommon and attending public schools in both Roscommon and Grayling. He graduated from Skyline High School in 2017 alongside his twin sister, Arifa Syeda.
After high school, Syed founded REZA, a footwear brand that pioneered the use of glass fiber-light technology in sneakers. To date, they’ve shipped over 3,000 pairs, and their shoes have been worn by world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki, several NFL players, and the Australian band Pendulum during their performance at the O2 Arena in London.
Syed attended Michigan State University between 2018 to 2024, with a few years of hiatus during which he took a break to focus on building his startup.
Did your four years at Skyline High School play any part in you becoming MSU’s second-ever Schwarzman Scholar?
Absolutely. Skyline played a significant role in my journey. The supportive faculty and inclusive community provided an environment where I could grow and dream big. I truly cherished my time there.
How did your experiences in Ann Arbor Public Schools prepare you for your entrepreneurial ventures and international business development?
AAPS excels at broadening horizons of its students and encouraging them to dream big. My teachers and peers were incredibly supportive, instilling confidence in my aspirations. That foundation empowered me to take on ambitious goals, including starting my own business.
What inspired you to found REZA footwear, and how did your time at Skyline influence your innovative approach to business?
Entrepreneurship has always been part of who I am—I’ve wanted to create something of my own from a young age. Skyline’s business program provided a great platform to explore that passion. I especially loved the guest speakers in our business classes, who inspired me to think big and pursue innovation.
As someone who went from Skyline High to becoming one of only 150 selected scholars from 5,000 global applicants, what advice would you give to current Ann Arbor students?
My biggest advice is to explore and discover what you love. High school is the perfect time to try different things and figure out what excites you—it doesn’t have to be something grand, just something that sparks your passion. For me, participating in FutureStars at Pioneer Theatre Guild was an incredible experience that helped shape who I am.
Another key piece of advice is to invest in relationships. The connections you build now can have a lasting impact. My co-founder and best friend, Jack Krebsbach, and I met at Skyline, and together we turned an idea into a global startup. Strong friendships and collaborations are invaluable. Nurture them.
How has your British-born American Pakistani background shaped your approach to global collaboration and business development?
Growing up in multiple places—England, Wales, NYC, Arkansas, and Michigan—before age nine made me adaptable and gave me a global perspective. Ann Arbor further enriched that experience with its cultural diversity. These influences shaped my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and navigate international business environments.
Could you explain how you developed the innovative glass fiber technology for REZA footwear, and were there any early signs of your interest in product development during your high school years?
The first prototype of REZA was created during high school. Jack and I wore crude samples around Ann Arbor, and the excitement we received fueled our vision. Developing the glass fiber technology wasn’t easy—it took years of trial and error, navigating factories in Asia, and finding the right partners. But persistence paid off, and we turned our dream into reality.

What motivated you to study religious studies at MSU, and how does this academic background complement your entrepreneurial work?
I’ve always been drawn to spirituality and its ability to connect humanity. While I started in MSU’s business school, I later pursued religious studies because it broadened my understanding of the world and fostered greater empathy—qualities that are invaluable in entrepreneurship.
As the former president of the MSU Entrepreneurship Association, how did you work to foster entrepreneurial spirit across campus?
I worked with an amazing team at MSU who was very passionate about entrepreneurship. I was blown away by the alumni base, which hosts founders who had started billion-dollar startups at MSU. I did my part in bringing energy to events and fostering a collaborative experience with amazing people.
Your business operations span Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Taipei. How did your multicultural background help you navigate these different business environments?
It was interesting being a Pakistani-American in greater China. Many people were not sure what box to put me in, and it was a great experience sharing my background with genuinely interested people. I fell in love with the amazing history, culture, and people.
What attracted you to the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University, and what do you hope to achieve during your year in Beijing?
Having worked in Asia for years, I’ve developed a profound appreciation for the region. The program’s emphasis on fostering US-China relations resonated with me deeply. My goal is to gain knowledge, forge strong connections with my peers, and contribute to building a more collaborative future.
How has your experience shipping REZA products to all 50 states and 30 countries influenced your global perspective on business?
It’s been a humbling and enlightening experience. International business is full of challenges and uncertainties, requiring strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and trust in your partners. This journey reinforced my belief that collaboration across borders makes the world a better place.
Looking back at your journey from Skyline High through MSU and now to the Schwarzman Scholars program, what role has your Michigan education played in shaping your success?
Michigan is an incredible place to grow and learn. The state’s vibrant communities, innovation-driven opportunities, and supportive people provided me with a strong foundation. With the right mindset and effort, a Michigan education can truly open doors to success.
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