CBI Class of 2016 ● Lehman College Class of 2021 and 2024 ●
College and Career Coach
My director of college counseling (DCC) played an integral part in my development as a man. Coming from poverty, he had shared similar experiences as I did and was able to relate to the struggles that I faced. He taught me that the world will try to knock me down every chance it gets, but that I need to be resilient and continue to move forward.
My DCC helped me realize my god given gifts and pushed me to continuously sharpen my skills. He was always there to listen whenever I needed to talk. Without him, I would not have been able to achieve the success I have been able to achieve.
Everyday I search for new ways to help my students realize their gifts and sharpen their tools to help them achieve the dreams they thought were impossible.
After high school, I decided to commit to Lehman College and graduated with a 3.3-grade point average and a major in psychology. One of the many reasons why I decided to commit to Lehman College was because of the vast programs Lehman offered. Like most students, I had no idea what career I wanted to get into after high school. Lehman was very beneficial in my career decision because Lehman offers a variety of programs in Kinesiology and exercise science, computer science, and even nursing at an affordable price. Most schools that offer the same amount of programs are often too expensive.
Another reason I chose to attend Lehman was because of the school’s retention rate which is at 81% and the graduation rate which is above 60%. This data showed me that students were highly likely to return to school after each semester and that most students had graduated. I wanted to be a part of a school that pushed its students to graduate and because of these reasons, Lehman was a no-brainer for me.
I have also been a member of CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) and worked as a College Transition Coach (CTC) for nearly four years. Right now, I am working part-time as a CTC at the Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Bronx where I get to give back to my old high school by giving seniors tips and tricks to excel at the next level. As a CTC, I have learned about the many areas of the college and career process such as financial aid, college applications, and even how to overcome summer melt. My studies in psychology have been very helpful in my work as a CTC. For instance, Psychology opened me up to the development of adolescents and the challenges they endure. With these newfound skills, I am able to have a better overall understanding and connection with my students. I am more aware of when to push students, when to hold off and give them time, and the importance of showing empathy to not just students, but all stakeholders in the school building.
While working as a CTC, I developed a passion for helping students – who come from similar backgrounds as I do – develop confidence, resilience, and attain high levels of success. Every day I search for new ways to help my students realize their gifts and sharpen their tools to help them achieve the dreams they thought were impossible.
In addition to working as a CTC, you can currently find me working at the Eagle Academy of Harlem as a College & Career Coach for grades 9-12. I am in charge of introducing the matriculation process to our students as early as 9th grade so that they are fully prepared for the challenges of the next level. I am also working to attain my master’s degree in school counseling from Lehman College and anticipate finishing in 2024. My goal is to leave a positive impact in the lives of my students and instill in them the belief that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.
One piece of advice I like to give to current CBI students is to engage in as many extracurricular activities as you can. With clubs, students will be able to expand their knowledge and talents, as well as meet people from different walks of life. These factors will help shape a person into someone who is well-rounded.
Colleges look for students who are well-rounded and can bring a sense of enjoyment to the campus. The more clubs or teams a student exposes themselves to, the more a student’s college profile or application will stand out. Join clubs, add to your resume, and have colleges aspire to have YOU on their campus!