BS '08
I was in the pre-med program. All the professors that I came in contact with were absolutely awesome and understanding. I had the privilege of going into their office and speaking with them about whatever issues that I had. They had an open door policy, which allowed me to meet with them one on one for additional help. They also worked with me, and my personal life issues, and were genuinely concerned with helping me to achieve my goals. I was assigned this wonderful counselor, Connie Harper, and she was the best. I could call her any time, and she made herself available to talk to me. There were times I was ready to give up because of my health issue, trying to juggle a full-time job, and raise my kids. She said, 'No, Kim. You're so close. Don't give up.' She was such an inspiration and would give me different examples of what other students were going through to encourage me to keep going. It was tough to work six days a week, to have a family that I still had to support, and to try to finish my degree, but failure wasn’t an option. I wanted to show my kids that with determination and stamina you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. The harder the struggle, the stronger it will make you and the greater your accomplishments will be. Since my graduation I have been working as a registered dental hygienist, and am also managing a dental office. I have put three kids through college and had recommended CCNY to my kids, but they wanted to go to SUNY College. I told them, 'The professors and counselors are exceptional people who go above and beyond their pay grade to make sure that their students achieve an excellent education. The faculty is definitely there for you.' I just wish my kids would have gone to CCNY to experience the genuine things that I experienced. I've been thinking about going back and working on my master's of science there. CCNY means the world to me because it gave me the opportunity to at least obtain my bachelor's of science.