Why did you choose to attend SUNY Erie?
My primary reasons for attending SUNY Erie were cost, time, location and convenience. After my position was eliminated at HSBC Bank, I decided to make a career change into the medical field. The help, understanding and compassionate counseling I received from Debbie Medina at City Campus to start the application process and get accepted into the nursing program, also influenced my decision to pursue my degree at SUNY Erie.
What are your educational/career goals?
I plan to graduate from SUNY Erie’s Nursing Program in May 2016. Since being in the nursing program at North Campus, I fell in love with the pharmacological portion of our learning and have added additional courses to my current nursing schedule to finish my prerequisites for pharmacy school at either D’Youville or St. John Fisher College. With my business background, I will also be completing my MBA, so I will be able to become a district manager in pharmaceuticals.
How is SUNY Erie helping you achieve your goals?
All of my prerequisites for nursing and pharmacy were offered at South Campus. The professors are easy to talk to, understanding and driven to help students succeed. I’ve utilized the library, tutor centers and professor office hours to assist in my studies and guarantee a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
What advice would you give incoming students?
Attend events sponsored by the college. It is a great way to network and see the diversity of the college. Make sure you apply for scholarships through the Foundation Office. They have lots of ways to pay for college and help with school expenses. And utilize any help or support that you can, tutors, the library, professor office hours, and fellow students, to help you succeed!
What was your favorite class at SUNY Erie? Why?
My favorite class at South Campus was microbiology with Beverly Roe. The material was difficult, but with the help of Professor Roe, I was able to do very well. Though it was a co-requisite to nursing, Professor Roe's microbiology class was not specific to just nursing. She covered all realms of microbiology to satisfy the needs of future dentists, doctors, nurse practitioners, etc. I highly recommend her class if you need it for your major.
The other class I enjoyed was my clinical rotation at the VA Hospital with Professor Belile. She was thorough, proficient and knowledgeable about the entire clinical process, from head to toe assessments to the pharmacological interactions on the human body. She is a tough grader, but she helps you understand the concept and theory behind the nursing applications, and how they apply to your patient.
Why did you choose to attend SUNY Erie?
I chose to attend SUNY Erie because it was close to my home, the cost was very affordable and for a community college it was highly rated. Their Dental Hygiene Program is one of the best in New York State.
How is SUNY Erie helping you to achieve your goals?
After graduation, I plan to work as a dental hygienist in a periodontist office or a private practice that deals with patients of all ages. The instructors spend a lot of time with us to help us achieve our goals. The hands on experience in clinic really prepares us by bringing together everything we are learning in the classroom. And we work with instructors who have 20-30 years of experience, who share their wisdom and knowledge, to help us develop the skills we need to succeed as dental hygienists.
What do you like best about SUNY Erie?
I like SUNY Erie because it is very small. I have attended a large school and found it overwhelming. Unlike a university, where you may be one in 200 people in a classroom, SUNY Erie provides you the one-on-one attention you need. Also, the cost was a factor. Not only the affordable tuition, but the scholarships and grants that they offer make it possible for anyone to pursue an education.
What advice would you give incoming students?
It is important to stay organized and plan ahead otherwise it could get overwhelming. And go for your goals and ambitions. Whether you want to be a dental hygienist, nurse or artist, give it your best in whatever it is and you will succeed.
What is your favorite class at SUNY Erie? Why?
My two favorite classes are the periodontology course and the clinic component, which I found very fascinating. The periodontology class studies (gum) disease, microbiology and anatomy of the mouth all into one course. And it demonstrates the connection of how the processes in the mouth can have an effect on the whole body. Then you go into the clinic learn the techniques for treating periodontal disease and how to intervene and stop its progression.
What is your favorite memory at SUNY Erie?
The people in the Dental Hygiene Program become like a second family to you. You develop a relationship with these people you spend every day with, and every one helps each other. And the instructors not only love the profession of dental hygiene, but they also love teaching. They are very patience and thorough, and they help you to achieve the impossible.
What are your future plans?
I was chosen out of 1300 students as a district 2 student delegate to the American Dental Hygienist's Association. An instructor posted information about applying, and I sent in my essay and won for our district. As a district student delegate, I will be representing SUNY Erie and all the other dental hygiene schools in our region. Next month, I will be going to the New Jersey for the district 2 meeting. And in June I will be flying to Nashville, TN to the Annual Dental Hygienists Association National Conference, where I will have an opportunity to meet dental hygienists from all over the country and play a key role in making decisions that govern our entire profession!
What are your educational/career goals?
After I have completed my education at SUNY Erie, I want to start working in a daycare center to gain some experience, while attending a four-year institution for my Bachelor's degree. In the future, I would like to open my own daycare center.
How is SUNY Erie helping you achieve your goals?
I have been working at Westminster Early Childhood Program in Buffalo as part of my practical lab work in the program. This experience has given me hands-on practice working with the children and the daycare providers. You get to see the day-to-day duties and responsibilities in a center, as well as learning the curriculum of the degree.
What do you like best about SUNY Erie?
In addition to the helpful professors is the ease in transportation to classes. I can obtain a car sticker for parking or a bus pass making it convenient to get to school. Also, if you are taking evening classes, SUNY Erie provides an escort service to your car, which is great for women who may not feel safe attending college at night.
What student services are helping you at SUNY Erie and how?
EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) has been helping me out in providing support. I meet with them at least three times a semester and they have provided me with money to pay for my books. Also the library has been helpful. They have textbooks on reserve, as well as computers for your use. Since I work full-time in addition to attending college, the library hours are very accommodating to my schedule.
What is your favorite class at SUNY Erie? Why?
Of course the practical lab where I get to work with the children; I have really grown fond of them and I look forward to going to class. I get to play, run around and take them outside and really interact with them. Also, I really love Professor Berkshire's Human Interaction class. The class helped me learn more about myself and how to overcome barriers.
Why did you choose to attend SUNY Erie?
I chose to attend SUNY Erie because it is a good place to start if you want
to move on to a four-year institution in early childhood education. The
professors extend a helping hand along the way. They want you to
understand the information. Like they say, "Start here, go anywhere."