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Name: Amanda Agosto
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."
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Name: Arthur Zebofsky
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!"
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Name: Beatriz A. Gil
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."
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Name: Cyraisse LeGrair-Clarke
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."
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Name: Danielle Monaghan
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!"
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Name: Danita Goode
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."
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Name: Eric Cuomo-Jones
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."
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Name: Jenelle A. Washington
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."
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Name: Kingsland Percival Felix
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."
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Name: Marco Castro
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."
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Name: Milagros Quinonez
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."
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Name: Samantha Brahms
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."
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Name: Tanya Cintron
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."
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Name: Toni Pennacchia
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."
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Name: Tyrone Nathaniel Cheeseboro
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."
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Name: Vincent Oliver
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."
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Name: Kimberly Suthers
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.”
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