October 2025 Student Spotlight

What prompted you to become a student at the Marxe School? 
It was several years in the making. Originally in 2021, while working at John Jay, I was interested in obtaining a Master of Public Affairs there. But I did not feel that it would have fit into my schedule, or that I was capable. I dropped the dream until in 2023, while in my second role at the Graduate Center, found the program at Baruch College in an advertisement. I told my husband, who reminded me of the dream I had. He pushed me to apply so I would be better prepared for my calling.  

By the time I applied, I had worked at several campuses (Queens College, Queensborough Community College, and the Graduate Center) and I felt more confident in my ability to grow. I was going to study the theories behind the work I continue to do in Higher Education. I even liked the commute from my then-work campus and from my current role at Hunter College, which are both along the 6 line. I especially would like to thank Professors Deidre and Bryan Cooper-Owens and Hector Sanchez for their recommendation letters. 

What courses and/or professors have spoken the most to you thus far?
I would have to start off with the basics, Professor Ryan Coughlan and the Introduction to Higher Education course. I was very scared, but he accommodated me and we had plenty of office hours. I could tell that he found joy in my growth and confidence as the course progressed. That class laid the foundation of wanting to do research and educating myself about current trends. 

This leads me to Professor Sharon Hardy’s Enrollment Management course. It is a summer intensive and I learned a lot about student support and success through the offices under that umbrella. I credit this course leading me to the Bursar Office at Hunter College.  

You describe yourself as a mental health advocate. Can you tell us how that has informed your approach to school and work?
I am very open about my bipolar 1, OCD, and CPTSD diagnoses with all my peers, professors, and my greater network of friends and family. I learned for a long time that I should be silent about my conditions in case I am judged or shamed in the workplace, classroom, with extended family, and in public overall.  

However, after a hospitalization in 2018 that forced me to take a break from working and going to school in Higher Ed, I realized I do not need to be silent anymore. I was suffering a long time and I had enough. I have friends and classmates who see my resilience and openness as an opportunity to collaborate and receive inspiration to keep going, to not give up. I may have to take breaks, receive an extension if needed, but it all comes down to communicating what I need accommodated. I especially would like to thank the Baruch Accessibility office for working closely with me to get my letters to each professor, and to every professor thus far who have accommodated me without question. 

Congratulations on taking advantage of the School’s tightly-knit academic community and finding a close friend in the program! Tell us a bit about that.
I especially cannot forget my best friend, Natalia Snyder, who I met in my first semester in the program, in Professor Ryan’s intro course. We have commiserate together about deadlines, studied together, and celebrated when we finished each semester. I was there for her graduation as well as her hooding ceremony. She and I also have similar lifestyles, and I feel supported to this day when it comes to my personal life. She really is an inspiration to me because despite all her obstacles, she is someone who keeps learning. She reminds me to keep pushing to learn something new each day and to count my blessings.