Then I came to Open House at Purchase where I met Danielle D’Agosto and Rebecca Roberts. They are the true reason I selected Purchase. They motivated me and strengthened my self-esteem, explaining everything to me. I thought I could have a chance here.
Deep inside I wanted a bachelor’s degree, but I thought my English might not be good enough. I was afraid to approach that path. I am now a Liberal Studies major. Ms. D’Agosto and Ms. Roberts guided me all the way through. They introduced me to the best professors and did the registration for me every semester. I took all the necessary classes for my major. Then I was able to pick classes based on the reputation of the professor. I loved every class and every encounter I experienced. I did well. I was on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 semesters. I even received an award.

MEDIATION AS A CAREER
The one course that I loved the most was Conflict and Resolution with Lisa Hershman. We handled mediations, problems among students specifically, and were able to mediate with them to fix their problems. This was something that I could do very well, I discovered. I work in an 1199 Union Shop, a big dental clinic at Columbia University. We have many employees and there are always conflicts, of course. I am involved in Human Resources and my class here really enhanced my ability to do my job. I wish I had known this kind of stuff from the beginning. It made me realize that I could have a future as a mediator or arbitrator. My professor motivated me to look into this career and kept sending me brochures about possibilities.
After graduation, I am applying to Columbia University for a master’s in Conflict Resolution and Mediation. I am very excited about this. I thank Lisa for her coaching and believing in me. I feel very passionate about this program. It is a long way from an associate in Nursing.
I found my path. I have my job and my skills have improved from here. And my job and school seem intertwined. That is how it should be!

BEING A GRANDMOTHER
When you work and take classes, it is really hard to do anything else. I have a full-time, very demanding position and go to school full-time. I am also a proud grandmother of a 12-year-old girl. I honestly do not have time for anything else. But I am aware of the extracurricular bonuses here. I am a grandmother. That’s who I am now!
Any kids I meet, I am always telling them to apply here. I wasn’t expecting to go this far and now I have my bachelor’s and am considering graduate school. At Columbia!
It started here, though. Purchase. The professors. The support from the very first day I arrived, even before then, as a prospective student. I did it! I have good grades. I’m proud. I am sorry now that I am finished because I don’t want to leave! I wish I knew about this wonderful school sooner. I am not a traditional student. I am much older than the majority of my peers; however, they do not seem to notice because they treat me as an equal.

SPECIAL THANKS TO PROFESSORS
Before I finish, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who gave me the knowledge and desire to believe in myself:
Lisa Hershman, J.D., M.S.W.
Kenneth Mann, Ph.D. in Psychology
Andrew Bernstein, Ph.D. in Philosophy
Frederick Green, District Attorney, Chief of the Sex Crime Committee in Westchester County
Melissa Febos
John Butchko
Rebecca Roberts
Danielle D’Agosto

When you learn from the best, you do not have uncertainties!!!