The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is proud to honor the graduates from the inaugural class of the School’s Spanish-language Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate program, which has the distinction of being the School’s first to be offered in a language other than English.
Initiated in 2023 by Dr. Claudine Campanelli, who at that time served as the program administrator of the CUNY SPS CDA and CPAC (Children’s Program Administrator Credential) programs, the Spanish-Language CDA program was developed as a way to provide training to Spanish-speaking early childhood professionals. For this idea Dr. Campanelli received the inaugural John Mogulescu Innovation Prize, an award created by the CUNY SPS Foundation Board in appreciation of the founding dean’s mission to promote excellence and innovation at the School.
“The launch of our first Spanish-language cohort reflects a long-standing goal to remove barriers to professional learning and create more equitable pathways for early childhood educators,” said Dr. Campanelli, now the senior director of Career Development Initiatives. “Supported by the inaugural John Mogulescu Award for Innovation, this initiative advances language justice and expands access to high-quality educational opportunities for the diverse workforce serving children and families throughout New York City and New York State.”
The thirteen graduates of the Spanish-language CDA inaugural Class of 2026, who celebrated their milestone at the CUNY SPS Commencement Ceremony on May 28, include: Diana Marcela Taborda, Vanessa Condo, Rodolfo de la Cruz, Alexandra Coromoto Mudarra, Ana Maria Galindo Espinoza, Maria Laura Alvarez, Khaterine Garcia, Danilssa Molina de Rojas, Maria Briceno, Mireya Sanchez Alcocer, Marjorie Salazar Zambrano, Bertha Chalar, and Martha Liliana Cardozo.
A New CDA Grad Looks Back
Vanessa Condo (shown right), one of the CDA graduates who celebrated her accomplishment at the CUNY SPS Commencement Ceremony, reflected back on her experiences in the program. “Being part of the first generation of the Spanish-language CDA Certificate Program at CUNY School of Professional Studies has been a true honor and an experience that profoundly transformed my life, both personally and professionally as an educator,” she said.
Condo, who currently works with preschool-aged children, originally joined the program because she “…wanted to grow, strengthen my knowledge, and better prepare myself to continue making a real difference in the lives of children.” But the CDA program offered her much more than just training. As she explained, “…this program did not only strengthen my professional preparation; it also transformed my personal growth. It helped me discover a stronger, more confident, and more disciplined version of myself. It taught me that I am capable of achieving great goals through effort, perseverance, and determination.”
For Condo, completing her coursework in her native language was key to her success. “Being able to experience this journey in Spanish held a very special meaning for me because it allowed me to learn with confidence, feel represented, and connect deeply with every stage of the process,” she said. And as part of the inaugural Class of 2026, this milestone was even more significant. She reflected, “As a graduate of the first cohort of the Spanish-language CDA program at CUNY SPS, I feel immense pride in having been part of something historic and meaningful—an experience that represents growth, inclusion, and new opportunities for our Latino community.”
In the spirit of the program, Condo’s testimonial is included below in the original Spanish.
“Formar parte de la primera generación del programa del certificado CDA en español de CUNY SPS ha sido un verdadero honor y una experiencia que transformó profundamente mi vida, tanto personal como profesionalmente como educadora.
Por eso decidí inscribirme en este programa: porque quería crecer, fortalecer mis conocimientos y prepararme mejor para seguir haciendo una diferencia real en la vida de los niños.…Pero este programa no solo fortaleció mi formación profesional; también transformó mi crecimiento personal. Me ayudó a descubrir una versión más fuerte, más segura y más disciplinada de mí misma. Me enseñó que sí soy capaz de alcanzar metas grandes con esfuerzo, perseverancia y determinación.
Poder vivir esta experiencia en español tuvo un significado muy especial para mí, porque me permitió aprender con confianza, sentirme representada y conectar profundamente con cada etapa de este proceso. …Como graduada de la primera cohorte del programa CDA en español de CUNY SPS, siento un inmenso orgullo de haber formado parte de algo histórico y significativo; una experiencia que representa crecimiento, inclusión y nuevas oportunidades para nuestra comunidad latina.”
About the Child Development Associate Program
Offered in partnership with the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (PDI), the CDA certificate is designed for preschool teachers, childcare workers, and other individuals looking to work in Early Childhood Education. For more information, visit the CDA program page on the CUNY SPS website.
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With over 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
Press Contact
Prerna Dar
CUNY SPS Chief Marketing Officer
Prerna.dar@cuny.edu