CBI Class of 2011 ● Gettysburg College Class of 2015, Manhattan College Class of 2018 ● School Counselor
I had such an amazing relationship with my director of college counseling (DCC)! She’s the greatest and always believed in my dreams. She’s the reason my journey to Gettysburg College was so successful. Her support, her dedication, her care for her students… I’ll forever appreciate what she’s done for me.
After high school, I attended Gettysburg College and achieved my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. What I enjoyed most about my college experience were the friendships and memories I created. In all honesty, attending Gettysburg was a culture shock—not only for myself but for most students of color. Even through the shock, I was able to make school enjoyable and still felt comfortable by finding my close circle of friends. We were able to create our own fun and enjoy life as we continued through our college career.
I’ve always had an amazing relationship with my director of college counseling and I hope to create those beautiful relationships with my students as well.
Gettysburg College was the right choice for me because it is a beautiful campus and it challenged me in so many ways. Gettysburg not only developed my academic intelligence, but also helped me progress as an independent.
I always knew that I had a passion for helping others and my interest in helping others actually arose from my CBI experience so after I graduated from Gettysburg in 2015, I continued to pursue my journey with education by attending Manhattan College for graduate school and I achieved my Master of Arts in School Counseling in 2018. I also had a desire to help students with their transition from high school to college, specifically students who come from low income families (such as myself). I loved the idea of opening the door to opportunities for these students, and showing them their full potential to have a successful future.
After working with high school students for several years, I decided that I wanted to transition and work with a new population while making myself more marketable in the counseling field. With this new spark of interest, I found myself working with elementary school students, specifically those with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and Autism. I wanted to challenge myself in ways I never have before, and I can definitely say it was worth making the change! I currently work in the Bronx at an elementary charter school, as their school counselor where I provide counseling services to students who have Autism and IEPs.
My experience with CBI has shaped my work and relationship with my students immensely. CBI showed me that it is possible to combine fun with your work space. Although you have a specific job to do, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be creative and have fun while assisting students. You can be your true self around your students. In my experience, I’ve learned that they gravitate towards honesty and dedication. I’ve always had an amazing relationship with my DCC and CBI staff, and I hope to create those beautiful relationships with my students as well.
One piece of advice I would give to a current CBI student is to be the master of your choices. You decide the fate of your success, which means you can “choose” to fail or you can “choose” to become one of the greatest. Every decision you’ve made has led you here, to a greater future. Continue to work hard, stay dedicated and focused, and all the obstacles you encounter in the future will be overcome.