SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Public Administration
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Job Title: Principal Administrative Associate
Employer: New York City Administration for Children's Services

Most people wouldn't think that attending their local union meeting would change their life. For Amanda Agosto, a chance meeting with an SPS employee at her Local 1180 encouraged her to conquer her fear of college and return to school. It had been a long time since Amanda had been in the classroom; for over 20 years, family obligations had kept her from pursuing her degree. Once she learned about the Public Administration & Public Policy certificate program at the School of Professional Studies' Murphy Institute, she thought that it might just be the opportunity she was looking for.

While enrolled in the program, Amanda dealt with both health issues and the sudden passing of her father, but credits the support that she received from her professors, classmates and that same SPS employee with keeping her on track and focused on her overall goal. Having now successfully completed the certificate program, Amanda plans to take a brief, but well-deserved hiatus from school, and then continue on her path of completing her bachelor's degree.

"Take the plunge, you will be surprised to learn that you do have it in you to achieve what you may think is out of your reach."

SPS Program Completed: B.S., Business, magna cum laude
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Job Title: Currently Retired

Arthur Zebofsky began his career over 40 years ago as a merchandiser in the apparel industry. He then moved to the manufacturing side and held numerous titles, including equity partner, until launching his own manufacturing company specializing in women's sportswear. Eventually, he became a sales and business consultant for the worldwide high-end designer swimwear companies.

Even though a successful businessman, one of Arthur's unattained goals was to finish his bachelor's degree. The online business program at SPS was recommended to him because it offered in-state tuition to non-NY residents and was a faster track to completing his degree. With perseverance he overcame his anxiety and embraced the opportunity to use real situations based on his work and life experiences and to apply them to the text materials he studies in class.

"I want to pursue a graduate degree for I love the learning process. And I have every intention to be involved with the new SPS Alumni Association and promoting the impact of SPS on working adults and their lives. I also want to work as a mentor to incoming students to ease their transition. My advice: Participate, focus, keep up on your assignments, manage time carefully, don't take on more than you can handle, don't be in a hurry, get to know your professors and fellow students, and have fun!"

SPS Program Completed: Advanced Certificate, Immigration Law
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Jackson Heights, New York
Job Title: Special Projects Coordinator
Employer: Murphy Institute for Worker Education & Labor Studies, CUNY

Beatriz A. Gil is a graduate from the Immigration Law advanced certificate program. She is currently a Special Projects Coordinator, at the CUNY Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies, where she liaisons with CUNY colleges, labor unions and community organizations to develop new academic partnerships and programs. She recently helped organize an Immigration Reform Forum in collaboration with the CUNY Citizenship Now! Project and Baruch College.

Beatriz has served children, youth and immigrants through advocacy and education in various community-based organizations. While at the New York based Vera Institute of Justice, she worked in alternative-to-incarceration and re-entry programs for court involved youth, and coordinated program logistics for federally funded pilot programs for unaccompanied children and adults in immigration proceedings.

Beatriz is also an emerging visual artist and writer. She writes memoirs, creative non-fiction, and poetry about her experience as a child of new immigrants growing up in Southern California after leaving Mexico City in the late 1980s. She is part of a Queens-based writing group that emerged from Our Side, a creative non-fiction writing workshop on cultural identity. Her interest in immigrant issues was a natural fit with the Immigration Law program.

"My experience at SPS was motivating in that my class schedule allowed me to balance my work and personal life. I enjoyed the hands-on assignments and the rigor of the courses as well as being in a classroom setting with a diverse student population. The program confirmed my passion for law and my desire to pursue law school."

SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Public Administration
Date Completed: February 1, 2010
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Job Title: Administrative Assistant, Office of Construction Operations
Employer: Department of Homeless Service, Facility maintenance and Development(FMD)

Cyraisse LeGrair-Clarke's experience at the CUNY School of Professional Studies has opened doors for her both professionally and personally. As a mature student returning to school after a long absence, Cyraisse was concerned whether she could keep up with the demand. Cyraisse quickly learned that while the SPS curriculum was demanding, it could easily fit into her current workload and family responsibilities.

As a returning student, Cyraisse set personal goals and felt her advisor was always available to assist and answer any questions. The CUNY School of Professional Studies allowed Cyraisse the opportunity to study in an atmosphere with her peers while the courses challenged her intellect and embraced her years of experience. Cyraisse plans to continue her studies with the School and has enrolled in the Health Care Administration certificate program this upcoming semester with SPS's Murphy Institute.

"For anyone who may be toiling with the idea of returning to school- remember it's never too late. If you want to experience learning with a new perspective then the School for Professional Studies is the place for you. There is a wide range of curriculum to select from to study. The enthusiastic faculty, professors and student are ready to embrace you and encourage you as you begin to excel in academic excellence."

SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Educational Foundations
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: New York, New York
Job Title: Paraprofessional
Employer: New York Board of Education

Danielle Monaghan always knew she wanted to work in the field of education. Prior to her current profession as a paraprofessional for the New York Board of Education, Danielle worked as a nanny. After working as a paraprofessional for five years, Danielle was looking for a way to further her career and decided to enroll in the Educational Certificate program at SPS's Off-Campus College after receiving an informational postcard in the mail.

Danielle found her experience at SPS to be a full one, with helpful teachers and friendly classmates. While Danielle loves her current job, her long-term goal is to continue her education and become a certified teacher for children with special needs.

"Don't be afraid to excel in life -- ask questions and enjoy!"

SPS Program Completed: B.A., Communication and Culture
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Walnutport, PA
Job Title: Legal Administrative Assistant
Employer: Day Pitney LLP

With over 20 years of experience in the legal field, Danita Goode always dreamed of becoming a child advocacy and human rights attorney. After sporadically taking classes since 1989, Danita's goal of completing her Bachelor's degree came into clearer focus when her children grew up and moved out. She decided to enroll in the Online Baccalaureate program because it allowed her to complete course work without attending class in-person, a caveat to continuing her education while commuting from Pennsylvania to New York for her job as a Legal Administrative Assistant and Workflow Coordinator at a prestigious Midtown Manhattan law firm, which happened to produce one of the most prominent legal figures of our time, Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.

At first, Danita was intimidated by her lack of experience with online classes, but after reviewing online tutorials and familiarizing herself with the online environment she took to online learning quite easily and enjoyed participating in the discussion boards and team projects. Through SPS, Danita was able to complete enough college credits to apply for a weekend intensive program offered by the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO). As a result, in the summer of 2009, the American Bar Association selected her to become a CLEO/Thurgood Marshall College Scholar -- a program that prepares minorities for law school.

Danita's future plans include taking classes towards a post-B.A. certificate in the Paralegal Studies program at Queens College then taking the Law School Aptitude Test in February 2011 with hopes of entering law school in the Fall of 2012.

"The leadership skills I learned online were invaluable; so much so that I was able to apply them in my current workplace and was given an additional quarterly stipend to take on the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing workflow for several departments."

SPS Program Completed: B.S., Business, summa cum laude
Date Completed: February 1, 2010
Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA
Job Title: General Manager
Employer: Islands Restaurant

Eric Cuomo-Jones is a California native, who after getting married, moved with his wife to Vancouver, Washington. There they opened a restaurant, Little Italy's Trattoria, which they eventually expanded to five locations. Wanting a change of scenery, eleven years later they sold the restaurants and moved to New York City. Though his wife stayed in the restaurant business, Eric obtained a New York City contractor's license and started his own construction company where he decided the time was right to finish what he had begun some 20 years earlier. He began his studies at another institution, but jumped at the opportunity to move to the BS in Business Management degree program at SPS when it became available.

Eric is now pursuing his prospects in corporate America and working in the restaurant/hospitality industry. His plan is to earn a master's degree and take full advantage of the new found knowledge SPS has provided him.

"My experience at SPS is one I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. I would advise any student at SPS to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to you and immerse yourself in the school while pursuing your goal."

SPS Program Completed: B.A., Communication and Culture
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Job Title: Business Process Analyst I
Employer: T-Mobile USA

As a Phi Theta Kappa graduate from Kingsborough Community College, Jenelle Washington already had a built-in appreciation for the affordable and quality education available at CUNY schools. While evaluating where to continue her bachelor's degree, she wanted to ensure that her next school shared those values, but also offered the flexibility that she needed. Her research led her to the Online Baccalaureate program at SPS, and she found that the positive feedback of alumni helped to cement her interest in the program. She credits the challenging coursework with helping her to feel confident in her ability to communicate her ideas and make a difference in the world.

Jenelle enjoyed her experience at SPS so much that she'll be continuing her studies in Fall 2010 as a graduate student in the Online M.S. in Business Management and Leadership program. She will also remain active in the SPS community by serving as an elected Student Representative on the SPS Governing Council and Curriculum Committee for the 2010-2011 academic year.

"If obtaining a college degree were easy, everyone would do it. As with anything in life, you will get out of it exactly what you put into it."

SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Public Administration
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Job Title: Associate Director of Radiology/Imaging Services
Employer: Health and Hospital's Corporation

Kingsland Felix has a passion for re-defining existing systems, a talent for building and nurturing mutually beneficial relationships and a unique ability to connect with people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. As Associate Director of Radiology/Imaging Services at Health and Hospital's Corporation Lincoln's Medical and Mental Health Center, Kingsland develops and implements training programs that promote staff development.

He decided to enroll in the Public Administration Certificate program at the Murphy Institute because he felt the content of the program would enhance his professional skills and better equip him to serve the health-care community.

In addition to his membership to both The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the New York State Society of Radiologic Technologists, Kingsland serves on the Executive Committee of the Guyana Ex-National Service Association and is the Chairperson of the Research and Development Committee of the XCDF Association of New York, Inc. In this capacity, Kingsland has been innovative in designing programs and piloting initiatives to create civic awareness in partnership with the local community.

Kingsland's plans for the future include the application of his newly acquired skills to his work community in tandem with transitioning to Graduate School.

"To future SPS students, I would advise that you participate fully in all school and community activities. Your professors will work with you; therefore, giving you the chance to expand on your talents, develop socially, and acquire all the leadership skills that will enhance your professional ability and its application in the work place."

SPS Program Completed: B.A., Communication and Culture
Date Completed: February 1, 2010
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Job Title: Photographer

Marco Castro is a native of Mexico City where he studied Graphic Communication Design until an opportunity arose to step out of academia and pursue photography as both his art and his profession. Just one credit short of earning his degree, he put his formal education on hold while he built his reputation and his career. Marco moved to New York City in 1993 to collaborate with newspapers, magazines and news organizations, expanding his viewpoint and furthering his career.

Marco enrolled in the Online Baccalaureate during the first year that it was offered with the goal of completing the Bachelor's degree he began in Mexico. He found that majoring in Communication and Culture resonated with his experience and personal philosophy. With young twin boys at home and a busy professional life, online study suited him well. Wanting to be part of the development of the School, he sought and won election to the CUNY School of Professional Studies Governing Council twice and has made many presentations to faculty and Council members, representing the concerns and interests of his fellow students. He also served on the Governing Council Curriculum Committee.

Most recently, Marco has been working as a photographer-consultant for the United Nations along with New York City Business Improvement District groups such as the 34th Street Partnership, Bryant Park Corporation and the Chelsea Improvement Company. His photographs have been shown in galleries and juried shows and provided the first SPS Deans Exhibition. His gift of a compelling photograph of the Empire State Building is hung in the offices of SPS and represents the first alumni donation.

"My advice for present and future students at SPS is to commit to every single class, participate in every Blackboard discussion after reading and carefully viewing the lectures assigned every week. Use the ability to read the past threads to show that your comments add something new into the discussion at hand. It looks easy, but in order to accomplish this, very detailed time management planning is the foundation for a successful semester."

SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Leadership
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Job Title: Paraprofessional
Employer: New York City Board of Education

Milagros Quinonez's 25 year career as a paraprofessional within the New York City Board of Education is indicative of her strong belief in the importance of education. Working daily with children attending the city's public schools, she takes great pride in seeing the hard work and success of her students, knowing that she's played a role in their accomplishments. No stranger herself to hard work, Milagros made the decision to return to school to complete a certificate program in Leadership with the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

Similar life experiences with her classmates, all of whom were adults and many of whom came from a background in education, helped to make her academic experience comfortable and successful. Milagros knows that the knowledge that she's earned will carry directly into the classroom, as she works with her 26th batch of new students in September.

"Come join this family, you will love it."

SPS Program Completed: M.A., Applied Theatre
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In 2008, Samantha Brahms graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a BA in Theater for Social Change and immediately went on to pursue her master’s degree at SPS, in Applied Theater. During her two year program, she has worked as an intern with the Public Theater, the American Associates of the National Theatre, and the Summer Play Festival. Samantha also worked as an assistant to the Artistic Director of the Elephant Ensemble Theater, a group that brings free children’s theater to NYC Hospitals.

SPS’s Masters of Arts in Applied Theater allows artists the chance to be part of creating theater with and for particular audiences about particular subjects and themes. Samantha desired a solid foundation in the field so that she could not only go out and do the work, but potentially attain a PhD in the field and teach within the field as well.

“My experience at SPS was simple and complex at the same time. At times I was merely a student; at other moments I was one of 13 in the first-ever graduating class. We were asked to work with the program to help lay a foundation for its future. We were a community that worked together to succeed. It was a truly rewarding experience to work with peers, faculty, and staff that provided a unique educational experience."

SPS Program Completed: Certificate, Diversity in the Workplace
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: New York, New York
Job Title: Educational Assistant II
Employer: Department of Education

As a young child Tanya Cintron always wanted to be a teacher; something she continues to work towards. With an interest in art, after graduating from the High School of Art and Design in NYC, Tanya earned college credit at The School of Visual Arts as a Photography Major as well as Brooklyn Technical College, where she majored in Graphic Arts.

After taking some time off of school to raise four children and work as a family day care provider, Tanya enrolled in SPS's Off-Campus College Diversity in the Workplace Certificate program. This allowed her to devote her time to both her studies and her family. Many of the classes she took involved education and diversity, where she acquired the skills necessary to foster healthy self-expression and therapy through art.

SPS has helped Tanya get closer to her ultimate goal, which is to acquire a Master's in Education and work with underprivileged children as an art teacher.

"At SPS the staff and advisors were very supportive, the classes were small and the teachers treated students like family."

SPS Program Completed: B.S., Business, summa cum laude
Date Completed: February 1, 2010
Hometown: Pawtucket, RI
Job Title: e-Learning Production Support and Wimba Administration
Employer: University of Massachusetts, Boston (consultant)

Toni Pennacchia was no stranger to online learning, so when she needed to finish her degree while working at the same time, she knew exactly what she was looking for in an academic program. Specifically, she wanted a program that offered flexibility, responsive advisors even from a distance, small class sizes, and a curriculum with a broad focus that would prove marketable in today's economy. To her satisfaction, Toni was able to get all that and more during her time as a student in the Online Baccalaureate program at SPS. She enjoyed a wide range of classes such as Business Negotiation, e-Commerce, and Business Law that provided her with business skills she was able to immediately apply to her professional and personal life. Toni's work in the Virtual Enterprise course allowed her to create a formal business plan and elevator pitch for MergingArts Productions, a series of film and music programs that she hosts and curates with her partner, which encouraged her to see the series as a sustainable business venture.

Now that she's completed her degree with SPS, Toni's hope is to continue to use her firsthand experience as an adult student to assist other students and faculty in the lifelong learning process, particularly in the online learning environment.

"Regardless of your situation, don't give up on what you have started. You owe this to yourself to complete this goal."

SPS Program Completed: Advanced Certificate, Disability Studies
Date Completed: September 1, 2009
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Job Title: Senior Residential Supervisor
Employer: Association in Manhattan for Autistic Children, Inc

When Tyrone Cheeseboro was deciding on his academic coursework, he made sure that the program would directly advance his work with the disabled community. Offering both certificate and degree programs in the field of Disability Studies, Tyrone chose the CUNY School of Professional Studies to pursue his graduate certificate in Disability Studies. Prior to Tyrone's experience at SPS, Tyrone earned a B.A. in Community and Human Services in addition to a Certificate in Human Behavior.

Tyrone is presently pursuing a Master's degree in Human Services with an executive leadership specialization. He uses the knowledge gained from his various programs to enhance his full-time role as a Senior Residential Supervisor at the Association in Manhattan for Autistic Children, Inc. Tyrone welcomes the additional responsibility that the job entails because it allows him to further develop his confidence, commitment, and discipline - all attributes that he believes are necessary for working with the disabled.

"The School's greatest assets are its professors, students and the school spirit. It is a vibrant community of people leaning and growing together."

SPS Program Completed: B.A., Communication and Culture, cum laude
Date Completed: June 8, 2010
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Job Title: Litigation Support Analyst
Employer: New York City Law Department

A native of the Bronx, Vincent Oliver's first love and life began in the theatre. As a high school graduate of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia School of Performing Arts, he engaged in the professional study of acting and theatre. During subsequent years as a young adult, Vincent participated in various theatre organizations, arts activities and majored in theatre at Herbert H. Lehman College's Theatre Department. Vincent's theatre degree from Lehman did not materialize as he originally envisioned, so Mr. Oliver discontinued his studies in order to rethink and redirect his academic focus.

While solidifying his interests, Vincent worked with the New York City Law Department in various capacities but primarily as a Paralegal and Investigator with an enthusiastic, independently taught and motivated interest in Information Technology. Vincent's independent and motivated style made the Online Baccalaureate a great fit for him and enabled him to receive a B.A. in Communication and Culture.

Vincent now works as a Litigation Support Analyst with the department's Litigation Support Division. He intends to attend graduate school to obtain an advanced degree in a practical area paving the way for new academic pursuits. Vincent will continue with his current employer, the New York City Law Department, being that it also fosters a great environment in which to learn those things relevant to its primary practice and mission.

"SPS offered the very type of study program through which I was able to redirect my academic focus with marked independence and self-motivated study, and did so without compromising work or other activities with which I was involved."

SPS Program Completed: B.A., Communication and Culture, magna cum laude
Date Completed: September 2009
Hometown: Rialto, CA
Job Title: Legal Secretary - Specialist
Employer: WilmerHale LLP

Kimberly Suthers graduated from high school with honors and, like many, was uncertain about the next step. As a single working parent, the challenge of simultaneously raising a child and going to school was daunting, but she wanted to earn a degree from a program that played to her strengths and passion. She took courses at several other institutions, earning a dental assistant certificate along the way, but found that her academic success was slowed by family obligations and programs that just didn’t fit.

Her turning point came when a friend introduced her to the Online Baccalaureate programs at SPS. She immediately enrolled in the Communication & Culture program after attending an open house. Now that Kimberly has successfully completed her degree, she is working towards landing a position in the communications department of a major company. Her goal is to attend graduate school in Fall 2010 in pursuit of a Strategic Public Relations degree. In the meantime, Kimberly is actively pursuing a promotion as a business development specialist within the marketing department of Wilmer Hale LLP where she is currently employed.

“All barriers to achieving my degree were instantly removed with the launch of an online program. At last, the arrival of an online degree program that took the circumstances of the student into consideration and targeted a growing number of adult learners who desired a college degree! Thank you SPS for making this journey not a fairy tale story with a fairy tale ending, but a tangible reality that will serve as a stepping stone well into the future.”