SPS Class of 2012

SPS Program Completed: B.A. in Communication and Culture
Date Completed: June, 2012
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Employer: LMZ Soluble Coffee, Inc.
Job Title: Chief Plan Examiner

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I had only taken one college course back in 1980.  The second course was 24 years later (2004).  I’ve had no change in career since 2004, but this was not my objective when going after a BA. 

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
50% of my coursework was done at John Jay.  The remaining courses needed to complete a political science degree were difficult to fit into my schedule. While searching for other CUNY colleges, I found SPS.  Of course online courses worked perfectly for me, but I did change my major.  This ended up being a closer fit to my current career so it turned out to be a double-bonus for me.  

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?  
Prior to being this year's student speaker, my favorite memory was visiting the mosque at Ground Zero for a research project.  

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and /or life goals?  
My current career as Logistics Manager certainly exposes me to various business cultures around the globe.  With my degree in Communications and Culture, this knowledge has certainly widened my tolerance of cultural differences with working others around the world.  In addition, new technological tools experienced with my coursework have certainly helped in my current career.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?  
I believe that I could have completed my degree without the help of fellow students’ encouragement and support. However, it certainly would not have been as inspirational and fun.  Thanks and congratulations to all.

SPS Program Completed: M.A. in Disabilities Studies
Date Completed: February, 2012
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Queens, NY
Employer: HeartShare Human Services of NY
Job Title: Assistant Director of Medicaid Service Coordination

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I work in the field of Mental Health as an advocate for people with disabilities and their families. 

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I attended the CUNY School of Professional Studies because my employer’s Human Resources department has instilled a strong philosophy of encouraging employees to obtain undergrad and post graduate degrees.  As a result, I chose SPS after some gentle nudging to apply.  I have never regretted the nudging!!

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?
The whole experience has been a favorite memory.  For a brief time after the completion of my coursework I was able to catch up with colleagues indulging in conversations unrelated to school. We also had the opportunity to conduct networking, offering advice and referrals regarding work related issues.

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and/or life goals?
I am currently working in my field of study.  My career and life goals are to become a fluent Spanish speaking person and maybe obtain a Master's in Social Work.  I would love to become a therapist within this field.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
I loved the times we shared as classmates and will miss you all until we meet again, but ALL good things come to an end!!  Best of luck to all in your endeavors!!

SPS Program Completed: B.S. in Communication and Culture, summa cum laude
Date Completed: September, 2011
Hometown: Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Employer: UK National Health Service
Job Title: Administrator for Surgical Schedules

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from a Philippine college and was working at a government-run hospital in Wales, UK in the administrative and IT side.

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I have done a little research on the history and reputation of the University and was very impressed especially by the 12 Nobel laureates, the state leaders, and artists in various fields who were CUNY alumni. I believe that a degree from an American university as old and respected as CUNY will significantly enhance my résumé. I chose Communication and Culture because I have always been told that I have a gift in the utilization of both the spoken and written word. Doing this is my way of focusing on that gift and enriching it. I would like to go back to the Philippines one day and, with my new knowledge and skills, contribute in nation building and bringing about peace.

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and /or life goals?
 My work has always involved a lot of liaising and communicating, but I would like to take the science of communication to a whole new level and this is why I have enrolled in a Master of Science in Psychology program in another university where I am presently a straight A student. I would like to take it all the way to Psy.D. and become a clinical psychologist practicing in the United States.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
Each of us has a unique story to tell, yet we also have something in common, as we are all proud members of the CUNY SPS family. We are one-pointed, self-motivated, success-oriented adults and it would be great to see all of you again in ten years’ time and marvel at each of your accomplishments. May we recognize and strengthen each other wherever we meet in the world.

SPS Program Completed: M.S. in Business Management and Leadership
Date Completed: June, 2012
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Employer: Baruch College
Job Title: Bursar

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I have worked for the City University of New York for almost 30 years and am currently the Bursar of Baruch College.  I have spent several years attending different colleges trying to obtain my Master’s degree, but something always happened to get in the way. 

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
Finding the School of Professional Studies was a happy accident for me.  I was actually looking at the online BA program for someone else and discovered the M.S. in Business Management and Leadership Program. I could not stop thinking about it - finally a way that I could fulfill my life-long dream of getting my Master’s degree.

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?
I began the program in the inaugural (Fall 2009) semester and my best experiences were the discussion boards.  I felt that the discussions were open and honest and you really got a feel for what your fellow students were thinking.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
I would like my fellow alumni to know that you should never give up on your dreams - even if they take longer than they should have.

SPS Program Completed: B.S. in Business
Date Completed: June, 2012
Hometown: Little Falls, NY
Employer: Ambrosino & Associates, Inc.
Job Title: Accountant

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
Prior to attending SPS I served in the Army.  I also have 20+ years of experience in customer service in the hospitality, restaurant, nightclub and retail industries.

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I chose to pursue my BS in Business at SPS because of my customer service background.  I was very interested and well adapted to business and decided to complete my degree in an on-line environment. CUNY-SPS was the best option for me.

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS? 
During my first semester, my business statistics instructor was at a convention in Washington, DC before and during our midterm.  His laptop was stolen or broken (I forget) during his flight and he had to answer our questions and administer the midterm using internet cafes.

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and /or life goals?
My internship brought me to my current job in a CPA firm. This was not the field I intended to enter into, but I love the accounting life.   Not only am I in a field where I plan to stay for the long-term, but I have also enrolled in an on-line MBA program with an accounting concentration.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
It was wonderful getting to know so many of you in a unique and special way. We may not have been able to meet face to face or even heard each other’s voices, but I feel a connection with so many of you. I hope to get to know and work with many of you in the Alumni Association.  I wish you the best of luck with all that you do.

SPS Program Completed: Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law
Date Completed: June, 2012
Hometown: New York, NY
Employer: 1199SEIU Citizenship Program
Job Title:  Legal Caseworker

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
After obtaining my bachelor degree from CUNY - John Jay College of Criminal Justice, I worked as a legal assistant for 18 years.  During this time, I worked with various local community-based organizations and immigrant community leaders.  I also participated in the CUNY Citizenship Now Call-in, rallies and lobby to promote awareness and protect immigrant workers.

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I attended the CUNY School of Professional Studies’  Advanced Immigration Law Certificate Program because it has a well known program which could helped enhance my skills and to apply the knowledge with my daily work.   The challenging coursework help my critical thinking, focus and build more confident in my ability in the field.

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?
The support I received from the professors, classmates and staff helped me succeed and achieved my goal.   I enjoyed all the courses and was a rewarding experience.

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and/or life goals?
I am a Legal Caseworker at 1199SEIU Citizenship Program assisting union members and their immediate families with immigration issues.  I am currently exploring my options with the possibility of continuing at SPS with Public Administration and Public Policy certificate program.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
Don’t be afraid to chase after your dream and achieve your goal.  You are the only one who can make it happen.

SPS Program Completed: M.A. in Labor Studies
Date Completed: February, 2012
Hometown: Newark, NJ

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I was raised by my grandmother, a waitress, who instilled in me a strong sense of social justice. Prior to joining the MA in Labor Studies at SPS, I spent close to two decades working in the labor movement, coordinating campaigns to organize low-wage, often immigrant workers, and developing community partnerships such as Jobs with Justice. I am a passionate activist with a life-long commitment to building a better world.

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I am a huge fan of the Labor Studies Master’s program. What a gift! It has been intellectually stimulating and allowed me to grapple with big issues such as the current challenges facing workers and unions, and new strategies for reshaping our society. And SPS is affordable and welcoming to adults returning to school.

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?
In the Labor Studies program I was very pleased to collaborate with Professor Stephanie Luce on a report for the International Labour Organization examining the impact of free trade agreements on labor standards.  I also had the opportunity to contribute to the groundbreaking conference, Towards a New Labor Movement. 

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and/or life goals?
My future plans include teaching and labor education.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
Now it is up to us to rise to the challenge and to remove the blinders that place limits on what we believe is possible for ourselves and for the society in which we live. In the spirit of the Occupy movement and many movements that have come before – we must believe that “Another World is Possible” and join in the struggle that it may come to pass. And for that world to become possible – it is necessary that the children of working people and then those workers – continue to learn and grow, build our capacity to think critically and advance our human potential, and fight our hardest to create a world where doing so isn’t the exception to the rule – isn’t viewed as a luxury – but is the norm and widely accessible. I’m very proud to be a graduate of the School of Professional Studies and the Murphy Institute, institutions dedicated and instilled with the mission to make higher education and lifelong learning a reality for working people.

SPS Program Completed: M.S. in Business Management and Leadership
Date Completed: February, 2012
Hometown: South Ozone Park, New York
Employer: Self-employed
Job Title: Financial Adviser

What was your background prior to coming to SPS?
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Economics at Queens College-CUNY.

Why did you choose SPS and your program?
I primarily choose SPS because it allowed me to continue to work full time while working on my Master’s degree. The program gave me flexibility in my schedule to complete my coursework.

What is your favorite memory from your time at SPS?
My favorite memory from SPS was the ability to interact with people in different areas of the world and sharing unique experiences with them. I was able to learn about using leadership skills from a fellow student who was studying at the time while she was on a charity mission in Africa. This shows how flexible the program is and how versatile the student body can be.

Are you currently working in your field of study and what are your current career and /or life goals?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I am hoping to use the knowledge that I attained during my time of study in the Business Management and Leadership Program to open a daycare center. I found that I have a love of the constant pursuit of knowledge and would like to share that with our younger generation. The backbone of our future lies in our ability to stimulate the minds of others; especially young children ages 0-5. I am hoping to become a Certified Public Accountant and would also like to open a CPA firm.

Is there a message you want to share with your fellow SPS alumni?
I want to let other SPS alumni know that what we have learned during our time in the SPS programs, should not be wasted.  Many of the basic ideas that we have attained in coursework no matter how small or simple, can be used in everyday life and when interacting with family, friends, and coworkers.  This knowledge is very precious.