ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Jennifer Guzman, BA ’23, MPA ’24 | Emergency Manager, Entrepreneur and MCNY Alumna
From Patient Transporter to Emergency Manager: How Jennifer Guzman Found Her Purpose
When Jennifer Guzman started working as a patient transporter at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2009, she knew she wanted a career helping people. What she couldn’t have imagined was that one day she would be leading emergency management operations, training hundreds of healthcare professionals, and running her own preparedness business.
Born in Colombia and raised in Queens, Jennifer built her career in healthcare while raising her daughter as a single mother. Returning to college was a big decision, but she was ready to take the next step.
“I did things a little backward,” she laughs, “but going back to school was the best decision I ever made.”
That decision brought her to Metropolitan College of New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Continuity in 2023 and her Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management in 2024.
Purpose in Action
Jennifer came to MCNY with years of firsthand experience in healthcare. Through the College’s Purpose-Centered Education model, she was able to connect what she learned in class with the challenges she encountered in her profession.
Her education helped strengthen her confidence and prepare her for greater leadership responsibilities in emergency management.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer managed mass fatality operations at Brookdale Hospital. At a time when hospitals and families were facing extraordinary loss, she advocated for treating the deceased and their loved ones with dignity and compassion.
Her work was recognized with a City Council Citation for Hospital Heroes and a COVID-19 Hero Citation from the Brooklyn Borough President.
For Jennifer, emergency management is deeply personal. Behind every emergency plan and every response is someone whose life may depend on how well others are prepared.
From MCNY to a Life of Impact
Today, Jennifer serves as Emergency Manager and Director of Active Violence Emergency Response Training at the University Hospital at Downstate.
In this role, she has trained over 1,200 employees, helping healthcare professionals prepare for potentially dangerous situations and respond effectively during emergencies.
Jennifer has also put her experience to work as an entrepreneur. She founded JG Planning and Preparedness, a company dedicated to helping organizations and communities strengthen their emergency preparedness.
Her professional accomplishments are impressive, especially considering the responsibilities she managed while earning two degrees. But Jennifer’s motivation has always been close to home.
“I want my daughter and my mother to be proud,” she says. “And I want people to know that it’s never too late to start over, learn something new, or find your purpose.”
In Her Own Words
Jennifer knows what it takes to return to school while working and raising a family. She also knows how much can change when someone decides to pursue an education.
Her advice to future MCNY Scholars is simple: “Don’t let fear hold you back. You can work, raise a family, and still achieve your dreams. MCNY showed me that purpose makes it all possible.”
Her Story. Our Purpose.
Jennifer Guzman came to MCNY with a career in healthcare and a determination to build on what she had already accomplished.
Today, she is an emergency management leader who helps prepare healthcare professionals for situations that can change lives in an instant. Through her business, she is also bringing that knowledge to organizations and communities that need it.
Her story is a reminder that returning to college can open doors at any stage of life. Jennifer found her purpose in helping others, and she continues to put her education and experience to work every day.
REAL EDUCATION. LASTING IMPACT.
