Audrey Cohen School For Human Services & Education
The Human Services & Education Alumni Network creates professional development and networking opportunities for alumni working in a variety of social services, community agencies and education institutions. Please be sure to keep your contact information current to receive updates about upcoming events and activities.
Update Your Contact info for the Human Services and Education Alumni Network!Letter from the Dean
Dear ACSHSE Alumni,
I am happy to share with you some exciting and new initiatives in the College of Human Services and Education (ACSHSE). The college is broadening its leadership in Purpose Centered Education, which is Metropolitan’s signature focus on experiential education with rigorous study of values and ethics, self and others, systems and skills. As an organizational philosophy and an educational model, Purpose Centered Education is guiding the college’s mission through key commitments:
- to combine academic excellence and experiential learning with a purpose;
- to build upon dimensional abilities that focus on social justice; and
- to empower our students and alumni with lifelong learning.
As we further develop Purpose Centered Education, I am pleased to announce that I have established the ACSHSE Alumni Network to serve as advisors to the college and me. Also to continue your commitment to seeking knowledge. Please be on the lookout for communications from the Network as they identify key roles that alumni can play in the research, teaching, and outreach missions of the college.
I am also thrilled to announce the development of the Human Services Dimension Series. The Series will be Zoom events that discuss current issues that impact our field of study, students, alumni and communities.
Before I close, I would like to urge you to visit the college’s website additional news. You will also find a list of upcoming events that the college are hosting and which I encourage you to attend. Alumni are always welcome to attend our events, and I hope to see you via Zoom or on campus again.
With best wishes,
Dr. J. Ardovini
Dean ACSHSE & MPAA
Executive Board
As we build MCNY’s Human Services & Education Advisory Board, our dean and directors will be reaching out to leaders in child welfare, social work, counseling, education, fundraising, public service, foster care to mentor students and work closely with faculty to ensure up-to-the-moment relevance for the School’s programs and curriculum.
PTK Honor Society
The Beta Mu Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is the college-wide undergraduate academic honor society at MCNY. Founded at the College in 2006 to recognize achievement in every academic program, membership is open to students enrolled in any associate or bachelor’s degree program.
Phi Theta Kappa is a lifetime academic honor for inductees. The honor society offers millions of dollars in scholarships, networking opportunities and many other benefits for leadership development and scholarly recognition.
To become a member of Phi Theta Kappa at the College, applicants must:
- Have earned at least 12 credits at the College
- Be in good standing
- Hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (GPA)
- Complete an Application for Membership
- Be recommended for membership, in writing, by at least two current professors or MCNY staff.
Upon induction, new members must agree to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and uphold the standards of the honor society. MCNY acknowledges honor society membership on student transcripts from the registrar’s office and on the commencement programs. Phi Theta Kappa members also may note this academic achievement on their resumes and on applications for graduate school.
Update Your Contact Info
Network News & Announcements
Dr. Darlene Williams, BPS‘00, MPA‘04 Discusses a Life in Public Service with NYN Media
METROPOLITAN COLLEGE OF NEW YORK ANNOUNCES 2023 HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
School for Business
The MCNY School for Business Alumni Network was established to strengthen alumni relations through purposeful activities and to be a driving force in the development of marketing, institutional advancement and admissions outreach programs. To achieve this, the members of the Alumni Network will work in partnership with the past and present graduates of the Metropolitan College of New York School for Business and/or School for Management, Business Programs community to develop necessary resources to move Metropolitan College of New York into the select group of premier small colleges.
Membership
The School for Business Alumni Network is open to all graduates who are considered alumni by Metropolitan College of New York School for Business (or the Business Programs of the School for Management) by having met and satisfied all of the academic requirements and standards necessary for successful completion of one of its various degree programs, and/or have been recognized by the College as honorary School for Business alumni. We encourage all graduates on the Associates, Bachelor and MBA levels to join the Network and become active in one of the various committees.
Committees
The School for Business Alumni Network has six standing committees that serve as the organizational structure through which alumni can get involved. They include the Executive Committee, the Career Advisory Network Committee; Events, Communication and Marketing Committee, Fundraising/Scholarship Committee; a Membership, Outreach, Diversity and Young Alumni Committee; and the Global Business, Curriculum and Entrepreneurship Committee.
General meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in room 706 (Manhattan campus).
Executive Board/Committee Members
Acting President/Vice-president: Ramondy Thermidor is the Director of the Department of Neurology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In this role, she oversees Neuro-Oncology, Neurophysiology, Rehab Therapy and Physiatry Services, an enterprise comprising 250+ cross-functional teams, an operational budget of $20M and a $13M research portfolio. Among her many responsibilities, Ramondy partners with physician leadership to set the strategic direction, develop and implement the department’s vision, planning and program development, overall operations, and staff management. She is skilled at organizing work, setting goals, desirable objectives, budget development and processes which improve patient care and generate revenue. Ramondy is adept at using her business insight and analytical skills to provide clear directives in fast-paced and highly complex environments. She effectively creates a shared vision, a high level of engagement, a strong sense of team and high morale.
Ramondy holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Metropolitan College of New York and has extensive Health Care Administration and Management experience. She is known to be a problem solver by nature and enjoys helping people. Ramondy strongly advocates professional development, talent management, and diversity and inclusion. She was one of the co-founders of two employee resource networks at MSK. Ramondy co-led The Black, Latino, Asian and Multiracial (BLAM) ERN from 2013-2016 and was an active Steering Committee member of MSK’s Women on the Move (MWM) for many years. Employee Resource Networks are business resources aligned with institutional goals. The purpose of ERNs is to build connections among employees and provide a stronger voice for diverse communities within MSK. While serving in those roles, Ramondy successfully organized over two dozen events, including the inception of “Contemporary Conversations,” a platform for courageous dialogues around race, gender and other thought-provoking topics in a safe place. She also implemented annual food drives to help address food disparities concerns for cancer patients and helped raise awareness around National Minority Cancer Awareness Week through lectures in 2014 and 2015. She conducted Lunch and Learn series for events such as “Be the Match” to help with bone marrow transplant education and promote donor registry. She moderated events, participated in panel discussions, and continues to champion a range of institutional initiatives.
Ramondy considers herself a creative executive and believes in constant self-evolution. She recently founded Aurorasdawn.com, a blog about living intentionally. This is also a platform for the development of business networking brunches that aim to bring together like-minded women from different sectors to share their experiences and make meaningful connections. She is passionate about mentoring, volunteering, and helping others. As part of her engagement as a MCNY Business Alumni Network member, she hosted a Women’s Empowerment Brunch to create an inaugural Scholarship for the Business School.
Ramondy is the Vice President of a non-profit child mentoring organization, 3Ds, which focuses on empowering children, creating confidence, and encouraging academic accountability. She is a facilitator of team retreats, vision-board workshops, and other business-related events. Ramondy is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and is active in her local chapter, Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY). She is also a National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) member.
In her spare time, Ramondy loves to cook and is an avid bookworm with several book clubs on her busy calendar. While reading is one of her favorite pastimes, Ramondy also enjoys writing and is an aspiring entrepreneur. She is currently working on a couple of literary projects and utilizes her blog as a conduit for her poetry and other artistic interests. And, of course, last but not least, Ramondy enjoys spending time with her daughter, Tehya, the love of her life.
Treasurer: Paula Sow-Lawton has 20 years of experience as a grassroots community organizer, health and wellness practitioner, spiritual guide, and success strategist, which is similar to a life coach however slightly different and an Adjunct Professor of Communications and English Literature.
Along with the above efforts, She successfully supported the growth and elevation of hundreds of individuals with the support of my sister network mentorship program, my poetry, and my trauma workshop series. She achieves great results from working with a wide array of unique client population to include; Senior Executives, Stay at home moms, new entrepreneurs, non-traditional adult learners, healers, developing professionals, at-risk youth and underserved populations.
Additionally, Mrs. Sow-Lawton is a highly motivated, extremely talented business management professional with extensive business and media management acumen, with the versatility of the Non-Profit and For-Profit market sectors. Her brand is a compilation of domestically and internationally gained transferable skills.
Her edge is rooted in her coach-style leadership and management approach, wherein the team is an exchange as well as a collaborative effort. Versatility gives her the ability to employ a variety of thought processes, industry trends, practical learning and a proven track record of wins, to achieve and exceed benchmarks. She developed her secret sauce through having earned a Master Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis concentration in Media Management from the Metropolitan College of New York. This is coupled with travel and reflection, professional mentorship as well as her Rites of Passage journey as a Sacred Woman under the guidance of the World Renowned Master Holistic Healer Queen Afua.
Event Coordinator: My name is Yvonne Williams Coston. I am an MBA Media Management Graduate of MCNY –August 2018. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from New York University. I have a strong background in events coordinating and customer/client relations. I have coordinated several alumni events for small to medium sized corporations as well as events for large dance ministry workshops and conferences in various states. Currently, I am employed at the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as a Business Service Representative—interfacing will high profile clientele. Additionally, I train team members in customer service relations including telecommunications and voice skills. I am the Founding Director/Choreographer of Dance The Word Ministries a 70+ member liturgical dance organization, ages ranging from 5 to 70 years old. I recently launched my own business—Living the Life I Dance About-Liturgical Apparel & Accessories Company. I am passionate about seeking ways to enrich the community and volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes. I am certain that my experience, passion, and resources will be an enhancement in creating amazing events at MCNY.
Community Service Coordinator: Roberto Gonzalez is a professional in the Healthcare Industry with a concentration in Finance. Roberto received his MBA in General Management and a BA in Business Administration from Metropolitan College of New York. Roberto is currently a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s and Prospanica NY chapter. Roberto is a strong advocate for equal opportunity for the disadvantaged, the destitute and the underprivileged. He currently lives in Astoria, Queens.
Historian: Britt Minott received both her BBA in Healthcare Systems Management and MBA in Healthcare Services and Risk Management from Metropolitan College of New York. She is currently a Healthcare Administrative Professional. She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Project Management Institute (PMI), and the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Britt is also a community activist the Director of both the Healthcare Ministry and Music Ministry at her church in the Bronx where she currently resides.
Secretary: Linda Sherrill is a professional in the Health and Retirement Fund Industry with a concentration in Accounting. She is currently an Accountant at the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist Retirement Fund. Linda received both her BBA in Business Administration and MBA in Financial Services from Metropolitan College of New York. She resides in Harlem and is involved with community service projects in her community and church.
Contact us at BusinessAlumniNetwork@mcny.edu for additional information
MCNY’s Business Advisory Board brings together the leaders of all areas of industry— including finance & banking, entrepreneurship, healthcare industries, and general operations management—to mentor students and works closely with faculty to ensure up-to-the-moment relevance for the School for Business programs and curriculum.
Business Honor Society
The MCNY School for Business has a chapter (Xi Alpha) of Delta Mu Delta, the International Business Honor Society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students at qualifying colleges and universities to create a DMD community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership.
The membership of DMD is available to students who are in the top twenty percentile of their classes and meet a high cumulative GPA requirement. Students who are members of DMD receive lifetime recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement. In addition, the membership provides networking opportunities to the students in various DMD events, eligibility to compete in Society’s annual scholarship awards program, acknowledgment for federal employment, lifetime contact through the society newsletter, and subscription to business magazines.
Network News & Announcements
Tuesday P. Brooks, MBA’01 Receives Dual Honors for Philanthropic Achievements
MCNY’s Teri Coaxum, MBA’09 Receives U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
School for Public Affairs and Administration
Mission
The MCNY MPA Alumni Network was reestablished in 2013 and its mission is to:
- establish and maintain relationships among MCNY’s MPA community and alumni
- provide professional development and leadership opportunities
- facilitate continued program growth and expansion
Purpose
To recruit alumni from different years to serve as members and ambassadors of MCNY while providing resources, collaborative relationships/partnerships, and opportunities that encourage and contribute immediate and enduring value.
Aspiration
We aim to be a prominent, respected organization that promotes interaction between MCNY’s administration, students, and alumni whose members make meaningful contributions to the MCNY community and students of the past, present and future.
Membership
The School for Public Affairs and Administration MPA Alumni Network is open to all graduates of MCNY MPA programs (including MSA, which preceded the MPA) which include Masters in Public Affairs and Administration and Masters in Emergency and Disaster Management. Current undergraduate students and alumni interested in the MPA programs are encouraged to attend the MPA general meetings and participate on a wide-range of committees.
General meetings will be promoted via email and social media.
Contact us at MPAAlumni@mcny.edu for additional information.
Committees
The School for Public Affairs and Administration has seven standing committees in which the MPA community can get involved. These committees serve to support prospective and current students, alumni and the MPA community.
Standing Committees
- Adopt-A-Cohort Committee
- Volunteer and Partnership Committee
- Career and Professional Development Committee
- Civics and Economic Development Committee
- MPA Social Outings and Activities Committee
- Guest Speaker Committee
- Marketing and Event Planning Committee
Executive Board
Chair: Kassiana Parris
- Tarsha Black
- Gloria Carrington-Casimir
- John Edwards
- Michael Goodwin
- Dwayne Hackett
- Syrena Huggins
- Rafiu Laguda
- Sonia Mercado
- Tania Moreta
- Dion Powell
- Dennis O. Tyson
Message from the Board
“No longer do you have to accept what is, you are now able to change what is.” -Michael Goodwin, MPA ‘12
MCNY’s MPA Advisory Board brings together the leaders of all areas of— leaders in government, child welfare, social services, education, public service, foster and healthcare—to mentor students and works closely with faculty to ensure up-to-the-moment relevance for the School for Public Affairs and Administration programs and curriculum.
Honor Society
Metropolitan College of New York’s School for Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) has a duly charted chapter of the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration known as Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA). MCNY’s PAA’s purpose is to encourage and recognize outstanding and accomplishments (students and faculty) in the field of public affairs and administration; to promote the advancement of education and practice in the art and science of public affairs and administration; and, to foster integrity, professionalism and creative performance in the conduct of government and related public service activities. Membership shall be limited to those students pursuing the Master of Public Administration, (in both the General Administration or Emergency Management program) at Metropolitan College of New York. The MCNY chapter shall include the following classes of membership: students, alumni, faculty, and honorary. Following induction, all such members are deemed members of the national honor Pi Alpha Alpha society.
Students who complete the MPA with a final GPA of 3.7 are eligible for induction. Student GPAs and final eligibility are confirmed by PAA faculty advisor ONLY after the student has officially applied for graduation with the Registrar. At that time, eligible students will be notified of induction nomination. Induction letters go out twice a year (February and May). Inductions are held once a year for Summer, Fall and Winter graduates in June of their commencement year. For more information contact Dr. Sophie Lee, sophie.lee@mcny.edu