Faces of KCC

Anna Abramova | Student

KBCC means for me excellence and future opportunities. It will change my life. For me attending KBCC is not just showing up for class, but being engaged in the class, learning, and preparing for my future. My goal is to get my associate degree in nursing and then I will continue going to school to become a nurse practitioner and one day work in a mental health clinic helping people.

Yanery Vasquezz Abreu| Student

KCC means a lot to me. It's where I am pursing my dream, thanks to the support I get from the staff and the professors.

Alfredo Munoz Alarcon | Faculty

KBCC is an institution that provides the proper education for all students who register for our courses, with professors who help these students to become excellent professionals.

Deshawn Alcazar | Alumni

Kingsborough represents a new beginning for me. I was able to restart my career journey. I met great people and learned many things about myself while attending.

Samia Ali | Student

KCC means so much to me! I honestly wish it was a 4-year college!! I never want to leave it. Everyone is so welcoming, feels more like a family. Anytime I need help I always find it. I recommend KCC to so many people and they all came and they are so happy they listened to me. KCC is like my 2nd home! ❤️

Bilal Ali | Student

KCC means everything to me. Their motto is "Dreams Begin Here" and they definitely began for me here! I had the best support staff, faculty, and group of friends. My friends and I would hang out in the cafeteria or in Student Life talking about classes and life. The professors at Kingsborough especially helped me set up the foundation for my education. To this day, I remember Kingsborough as one of the best experiences of my life. I really wish it was a four-year institution so we didn't have to say goodbye. It's not just me but everyone in my friend's group who feels this way.

Nereyda Alvarado | Student

KCC means a lot to me because it has the best professors I've ever had, and my learning experience helped me to get my Associate's degree in Mental Health & Human Services. Thank you KCC for everything, I'm so proud to be part of this celebration!

Michell Argus | Alumni

KCC is where dreams come true. KCC holds your hand when you are still unsure what it means to have a dream. KCC makes the dream become real. Even when you fall down KCC is here for you to make sure you get back to following your dream!

JaQueen Barksdale | Alumni

It means everything to me! I was able to transition from being an almost-dropout to graduating on the Dean’s List. KCC has supported me in many ways, especially the Flex program. If it was not for my prior mentor provided by KCC, I probably would not be this far in my education now.

Jaime Berco | Staff

I started at Kingsborough as a student in 2009. I never imagined then that my journey at KCC would still be on-going today. I’ve had a wonderful career here since starting out as a student aide in 2011. KCC has really become a second home for me and I look forward to being able to continue being a helpful point person and to assist in any way I’m able too. Whenever students end up in our area of Academic Affairs, I always try to point them to the right location or area they need to be in. I always do my best to assist whenever I can and I hope to continue to do that for many more years to come. Thank you, Kingsborough, for all the continued & ongoing support over the years. I’m fortunate to work at a place that I enjoy coming too.

Anthony Borgese | Alumni & Faculty

KCC means everything to me. From graduating in 1988 to returning to teach in 1998. The MAC didn't exist when I was a student, and the Peruggi Building was built during my 25 years at the college. I have made many memories of great times and great people along the way. I heart KCC!

Richmond Bradshaw | Student

I thank KCC for changing the trajectory of my life, and for letting me leave an impressive legacy for those behind me to follow!

Susan Fagen Britt | Alumni

I was in the first graduating class of nurses in 1967. The school provided me with an excellent introduction to academia. I became a registered nurse and practiced for a number of years. After marrying, and having kids, I decided to go back to school. In 1984 I became an attorney. After 39 years as a malpractice attorney, I retired from my practice. Presently I’m an adjunct professor at Hofstra. I have some wonderful memories of the time I spent at the school which was temporarily housed in barracks. It would one day be a grander set of buildings, but it was in its infancy at that time I remember my wonderful professors who inspired me. It was step one in my career and I am grateful.

Antonio Brown | Student

KCC means opportunity. It means that there are endless opportunities for me to better myself. It also means I can surround myself with positive people. During my time at KCC, I've experienced a lot of ups, a lot of downs, and a lot of stress. College can be stressful, but there are ways to combat that stress. I would normally talk to a college counselor, vent my stress to my mom, and talk to my cousins who understand me. KCC means I can be myself without being judged or ridiculed. KCC is a place where I can grow, become a better version of myself, learn responsibility, and more importantly network and establish connections with different people. First, I started out in CUNY Start. Second, I became a member of the ASAP Program. Third, I made honors in my first year as a freshman. Next was the help and recognition from the professors. They extended themselves to me and helped me on my journey. I am thankful for everything and everyone that was with me on this journey. I pass this on to any incoming freshmen who come to this glorious campus. I leave with this quote "Work hard, have a good time, enjoy every minute of your journey, and remember it's the positive moments that make you smile".

Noelle Bruno | Alumni

Kingsborough Community College gave me the confidence to grow in my career. I went back later in life to college. I was in my thirties when I graduated with a Fashion Merchandising Degree. The experience was like no other. The staff was so professional but approachable at the same time. They were always there to help you solve your problem. Kingsborough gave me something that no one can ever take away from me .... a great education, friendships and memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you. I can proudly go to work every day and love what I do! Happy 60th Kingsborough!

Sue Carpenter | Faculty

I started teaching in the Education Program at KCC in 2011! I have taught approximately 2500 students who will become and have become teachers, many in Brooklyn schools. Before KCC, I taught for 25 years in schools: in London, in Canberra Australia and in New York City, including in special education schools in District 75. At Kingsborough I found 'my home' including students in the Melissa Riggio Program in the arts in education courses I teach. These are students with intellectual disabilities who audit and enrich the classes by their commitment and enthusiasm! And I found my niche in co-facilitating the CUNY Unlimited Faculty Interest Group (FIG) with a focus on advocating and including these students and other students with disabilities. This FIG became inclusive in of itself, welcoming students, alumni, mentors, administrators, staff and faculty. Highlights of a semester are taking student teachers to visit museums in NYC as they will do themselves as teachers in the future, making art and singing with students in the hands-on workshops I teach, having guest speakers with lived experience in Psych 2400, collaborating with colleagues, and cycling along the canal at Sheepshead Bay to KCC!

Harvey F. Carroll  | Retiree

I spent 35 years teaching various courses in the physical sciences department, retiring in 2003. It was a very rewarding career. For most of my time at KCC Leon M. Goldstein was president. He created an atmosphere that allowed both faculty and students to have the freedom to do their best. When I was asked to found and direct the Engineering Science Program, I received the support I needed and the students who graduated as majors automatically were granted admission to the local engineering schools. Reports indicated that our students did as well in their upper-level courses as the local students. This was most gratifying to me. The administration was not an adversary of the teacher’s union but a partner. We could work with them to the benefit of all concerned. Also, the non-teaching part of the administration was run in a very professional manner as shown in the Middle States Report.

Anthony Chatman | Alumni

KCC was and always will be the perfect place where I started my academic college journey. My first semester in Fall 2011 was quite the adjustment since I enrolled right after I graduated high school. My surroundings were all new to me so getting acclimated was going to take some time. With each passing semester, I grew more and more comfortable and started to explore all the opportunities that the college had to offer. I’ve always been someone who’s been very introverted and kept to myself, but KCC managed to break me out of my shell the moment I became an Honors Student Representative in 2013. Through the Honors Program, I was able to form lifelong connections with students and faculty, become a Student Research Assistant and represent the college at National Model United Nations. I was also inducted into The National Society of Leadership and Success. These were life-achieving moments I never thought would ever be possible but it’s because of KCC that I will always have these memorable experiences and it’s something I will forever be grateful for.

Robert Cincinnati | Staff

Kingsborough is my 2nd home where I am inspired by great people every day.

Margot Cole | Alumni

KCC means friendship to me. I met my best friends at KCC who I am still friends with many years after graduation. I met wonderful faculty who became my mentors and friends as well. I learned that KCC means community, whenever a student or faculty member needed help or was going through a hard time we all helped each other. KCC is an excellent example for other campuses when it comes to accessibility and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. KCC is a place where disabled students belong and feel wanted and needed. The KCC student club "Students Unlimited" taught me to be a better disability advocate. My time at KCC inspired my short film "A Stroke Of Endurance" about disability, friendship, and endurance.

Pedro Coniconde| Alumni

Being a KCC Alumni - Class of 1988 was a stepping stone for me to further continue my studies, which enabled me to earn my Bachelor of Science Degree at St. John's University. In addition, it had given me preparation for life as an adult back then. Many years later, I had a nine-year successful career with The Bank of NY - BNY Investment Center, Inc. from 1999 through 2008.

Chef Davis | Alumni

What KCC means to me in two words: Success & Happiness. After graduation, I started a Holistic food service business, “Taste Buds Matter”, and a nonprofit, “Heal Through Food, Inc.” that covers Culinary Arts creative cooking classes, pantry meal distributions, environmental studies & planting. Anything revolving around food & helping people. That is my Happiness. Because of KCC I had the honor to experience food service and hospitality first hand. For that I can't thank them enough.

Erika Delacruz | Staff

I have worked at Kingsborough Community College for twenty-three years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the students, faculty and staff of this college and develop professional and personal relationships that will last a lifetime. Working at Kingsborough has been a rewarding experience that shaped who I am today. It is not only a place where I learned new skills, but also a place where I connected with professionals and created wonderful memories. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at KCC and for the impact it has had on me.

Uriah Denham | Student

KCC means new beginnings to me, coming from a place where I had no hope left in me for the future. I transferred here because I was given an opportunity to finish what I started from where I was, and I wanted to take advantage of that before it was too late. KCC shows me that it doesn't matter what path you take; it doesn't have to be the ideal one, and it shouldn't be like everyone else's. As long as you are at the finish line in the end, you are successful.

Michael DiBuduo| Alumni

Kingsborough Community College means so much to me. By the time I had graduated in June 2010, I had learned so much on this beautiful campus. There are so many memories that I will always keep in my heart and I always recommend many people to go Kingsborough. I tell them “Your future starts in Kingsborough and it's a college that works for you". Thank you, Kingsborough Community College, for what you have done for me and others for 60 years.

Tuiana Durinova | Student

When I came to America for the first time 4 years ago, I went to food handler courses at Kingsborough Community College to improve my English communication skills. I felt powerful support from everyone in the college. After 2 years I returned to Kingsborough college to do my degree. Kingsborough helped me move from intermediate level to advanced level. And I still feel this support from Kingsborough like it was from my best friend. For me Kingsborough is a place where I gained solid knowledge, amazing impressions and the unique learning experience in the American education system. Kingsborough means the guiding star, pointing the right way to my degree and my future endeavors.

Jodi Davjoa Floyd | Student

Being at KCC is like a new opportunity for me to achieve my goals. Coming to this school with an open mind and the determination to start fresh has made all the difference. When I first started college at 17, I wasn't fully prepared and didn't perform well. But now at 33 and a proud parent to a 10-year-old son, I have more time and the motivation to pursue my associate's degree and eventually my bachelor's degree. The classes I'm taking are not only informative but also enjoyable, providing me with valuable lessons that I can carry with me throughout my life. I am eagerly looking forward to joining various clubs and gaining a more immersive understanding of the campus, as well as discovering ways in which I can make a lasting impact.

Courtney Edwards-Foster | Student

KCC means gaining a productive future and education in Criminal Justice. I look forward to learning about the different courses on Criminal Justice and the laws. I am a transfer student from Florida. At KBCC I get to meet different people from all over and the professors are great. I am looking forward to getting in to groups and activities. I love the location of where KBCC is located. Near the water gives off peaceful vibes and the sunsets are amazing. I hope the remaining of my time at KCC is successful.

Rayna Eisenhart | Student

KCC means family to me.

Aaminah Ellahi | Student

It means a start to a new journey. I am looking forward to this experience of growth as a person.

Almedina Franca | Student

Kingsborough Community College means a lot to me, because KCC staff are really helpful and everyone understands my physical disability. I am enjoying my studies here.

Shelly Friedland | Retiree

KCC was my first full time teaching job, and I loved every minute of it. I met some very wonderful people, both students and fellow faculty, some of whom I am friendly with today. All of us had a spirit of cooperation and belonging that made KCC a special place. I started in 1967 and retired in 2000.

Margaret Gittens | Student

KCC means resilience. 60 years of dedication and perseverance. It means picking yourself up time and time again after every roadblock, every setback and every obstacle faced. KCC standing strong reminds me that if I remain committed and keep pushing, I too will be successful through it all.

Mary Pender Greene | Alumni

It is with great pride and pleasure that I congratulate Kingsborough Community College (KCC) on celebrating its 60th Anniversary. KCC will forever hold a special place in my heart, and my memories of attending are indelibly etched in mind. KCC was the first step of my path to success and laid the groundwork for my academic and career journey. I was the first individual in my family to go to college. Attending a junior college was exactly what I needed at the time to get acclimated to college culture. At KCC, I learned how to be a successful college student—such as how to research topics, write term papers, and navigate KCC’s resources and campus. I developed strong relationships with students and faculty, some of whom I keep in touch with today. From KCC I went on to attend NYU where I received both my BS and Masters of Social Work Degrees. Today, I am a psychotherapist with a private practice in Midtown Manhattan, a career/executive coach, a consultant, and the President & CEO of MPG Consulting (MPGC), a company committed to eliminating bias and structural racism in the workspace. Prior, I held executive and management positions for America’s largest voluntary mental health and social services agency, The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS). I am also the author of Creative Mentorship and Career-Building Strategies: How to Build Your Virtual Personal Board of Directors. Coming full circle, I’ve taught courses at KCC and am included on its Wall of Fame. I will always remember how KCC made me feel—welcomed, engaged, and important. - Mary Pender Greene LCSW-R – Class of 1970.

Irwin “Ron” Hecht | Retiree

My name is Ron Hecht, and I am one of the founding faculty members and administrators of KCC (Biology, Assistant Dean of Faculty, Director of Summer Session and Evening School). I’m 87 years old and living in San Diego near my family.  I have always considered KCC to be my ‘third’ child, having contributed to its development and maturity. As founders, we had to develop KCC’s curriculum and write its courses, while adjusting to teach our courses and labs in old Coast Guard Barracks (which were the buildings on the original land that became our campus), in a very old reopened elementary school, and a Masonic Temple until our magnificent campus was built. I’m very grateful that KCC has become the awesome college it is today, that it has influenced the lives of thousands of students and will continue to do so. I want to wish my ‘baby’ a Happy 60th Birthday!

Patrick Hickey Jr. | Alumni & Faculty

Kingsborough was where I started my collegiate journey. I discovered my love of Journalism here. I went on to become the Editor-In-Chief of KCC's student newspaper, Scepter, the first step before writing seven books on video game history (a few even reside in the KCC Library) and serving as an editor for several newspapers and magazines. Oh, and I've taught at KCC for the past 17 years and am the program coordinator for the Journalism Program. Simply put, KCC is my home, my “Hogwarts” and so much more!

Sid Hirschfeld | Alumni

KCC provided me with the transition I needed from teenager to adulthood. I not only learned and grew as a person, but made friendships that have lasted for more than fifty years. It also provided me with the foundation needed to continue my education to become a successful attorney and leader. Thank you KCC and congratulations on your 60th Birthday.

Robert Ingenito | Retiree

As a college administrator for thirty three years, KCC was always about students first. I  served in a variety of positions: Financial Aid Counselor, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Administration & Planning, Director of Family College, Associate Director of the  College Now Program, and the Director of Student Development & Student Recruitment.  The colleagues I worked with in administration & faculty always strived for excellence to enhance the educational experience for students. However, the students were the ones who provided the purpose and inspiration for our efforts on their behalf.

 

Martin Ingram | Alumni

KCC is a place where dreams and opportunities can become realities. I graduated in June 1969 and the plans for the completion of the campus seemed far off into the future. I attended the Downtown Temporary Campus at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple on Clemons Avenue. We were all new and excited about the future of the school. Our class was very diverse in many ways. Because of the closeness of a new school, we developed many friendships that crossed many artificial boundaries. We not only learned from our eager professors but we learned from each other. At a very early age, KCC taught us to treat each other with dignity and respect. This was a skill that we brought into other academic and professional environments throughout our careers. I credit KCC with my success as a USAF Air Rescue Helicopter Pilot, as a Federal Aviation Administration senior level Flight Standards Air Carrier Manager, and recent author of Flood Fire and a Superstorm.

Sumaya Jashim | Student

KCC means a place of second chances to me. It's a place that I never imagined I'd be at, but one that I've come to love despite my biases at first. Community college is the last place I expected to gain valuable experience in research, which I am now continuing for my second year. But I could not be happier that I joined the CUNY Research Scholars Program, exclusive to CUNY junior colleges. Through this program, I've honed not only my research prowess, but my ability to multi-task, write well and efficiently analyze data in various contexts. As Vice President of 2 student-led publications, I had the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people and become more comfortable with public speaking. Getting paid to conduct research was my main motivation to attend KCC over other schools, and I am immensely grateful I did. I've been passionate about a niche interest for so long: food related policies, advocacy, and research. Not only does KCC actively participate in eradicating community food insecurity through various initiatives, but it's also inspired and supported me as I've explored this passion of mine further. Food is greatly important to success, and KCC's pasta salads and now-expanded food options make me all the more excited that I've gotten to be a part of this community. Along the lines of what Bob Ross said, life is full of happy accidents. Going to KCC has helped me become once again passionate about going to school and see the true value in education. I'm glad I gave school a second chance.

Jessica Jean-Gilles | Alumni

Kingsborough is where my dreams truly began. It allowed me to meet great people that changed my life. During my time at KCC, I was enrolled in the College Discovery program. I was able to meet my amazing mentors there. With support from my family, professors, and academic advisors, I was able to graduate from the nursing program. I am so happy that I attended Kingsborough Community College!

Alan Kenney| Alumni

I graduated from Kingsborough from the evening division in 1969 with an AAS degree with a major in Accounting. After moving to Massachusetts, I completed my BSBA at Merrimack College. I became a CPA and created my own firm. I later became an RIA with my own firm. My clients over the years have come from many States and a few countries, some of which are renowned. I always regarded Kingsborough as having the best professional teachers in the evening division in the time I was a student. My mother, my two brothers, and my sister-in-law have also graduated from Kingsborough. Hard work and fond memories!

Odetta King | Alumni

I graduated in May 2004. Going to KCC was one of the best things that ever happened to my academic career. It set the launch pad for my higher learning education. I enjoyed every part of going to this school, the campus is nice and the faculty are very caring, attentive and provided me endless opportunities in my field of studies. From KCC I furthered my education with the guidance and help of my teachers.

Candida Knight | Alumni

KCC has given me a second chance for a better future. My home away from home.

Shoshanah Kresin| Student

My sisters and I went to Kingsborough Community College for Kids when I was little. My mother graduated with honors, and later passed in 2011 from cancer. I graduated with honors in 2009. I'm back again to get my second degree from Kingsborough. Kingsborough has always been an intricate part of my family and my life. I'm grateful for the opportunities that Kingsborough has provided throughout the years which have significantly improved our lives.

Barbara Ladman | Retiree

I began my career at KCC in 1969 as a CLT in the Department of Biology. In 1995, I moved to the Office of the Provost and retired in 2011 as a HEO, the director of Academic Personnel Services. I had two children while at KCC and was lucky enough to be joined at KCC by my husband Jeffrey in 1993. He was a dean, taught history at Leon M. Goldstein High School, and was an adjunct for the History Department at KCC. Sadly, we lost him in 1999, but KCC remained supportive and kept me busy until my retirement. I could not have kept going without KCC. Forever grateful!

Nancy Aviles Leal | Student

KCC is an educational facility that provides its students with multiple opportunities to improve their lives. Not only does KCC have many classes necessary to complete an associate’s degree, it also has job corps programs that allow people to build skills necessary to get a decent job and help to certify them in that skill. It has many clubs-- the art clubs are my favorite -- that allow students to get in touch with their creative side. KCC not only understands the importance of education, but it understands the importance of individuality and developing a life that is true to yourself and your needs.

Ivy Lin | Alumni

KCC means to me: “take your time, no need to rush your education. As long as you can put effort in your studies, you can do well in your career in the future.”

Alan J. Lipsky | Alumni

Quite simply – KCC changed my life. I had attended KCC on and off part-time for several years before returning full-time in 1981. My career plans were vague: I was thinking about going into newspaper journalism and, to that end, would work on the school newspaper and major in Liberal Arts. One of the classes I took that first semester was History 62 – The History of New York City, taught by Prof. Morton Wagman. From the first day of class, he expected excellence. Studying with him changed and motivated me. Over the next two years, taking classes with Professors Wagman, Ellen Fine, Sidney Helfant, and Benjamin Pacheco, among others, I came into my own. Further, Prof. Wagman changed my life by changing my career trajectory. He got me my first job at a history museum and started me on a new career path that I follow to this day. I have worked in the museum field for 41 years, since starting at the Pieter Claesen Wyckoff House Museum in Brooklyn in 1982. Currently, I am a partner in a museum consulting firm, R&L Consulting (Arden, NC), which works with museums across the country. Thank you, Kingsborough Community College, for bringing out the best in me! - Alan J. Lipsky KCC Class of 1983.

Mary L. Lopez | Alumni

It is a college of distinction and its beautiful surroundings inspire you to learn. It is a true place of learning. The tutors were very gracious - "No Student Left Behind" I learned a lot and appreciated the professors’ ability to communicate so I could understand and graduate on time with good grades.

C. Anthony LoPresti | Alumni

KCC in 1974 was a great start to my extensive education path. Dr Harvey Carroll was my chemistry professor and he became a good friend and patient. He taught me a core of information that led me on a good path towards my future education. I received a BS in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Physics from Wagner College in 1976. I then attended Columbia University College of Dental Medicine where I received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1980. I then received a MS in Human Nutrition in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in 2001. I have been on staff in the dental school for over 35 years. My career has been an amazing one and KCC was my initial foundation to this career.

David John Louie | Alumni

I first came to KCC in September 1967 after graduation from A.L.H.S. I dropped out after one semester and became a "bum" for the next 18 months. I finally decided to do something "honorable" so I enlisted in the U.S. Army on 16 May 1969 and served in Vietnam in 1970 for one year. After 3 years of active duty, I returned to KCC under the U.S. G.I. Bill of Rights/Veterans Benefits and graduated in 1975. I then became very successful in the insurance industry and in the Chinese-American community with nothing more than my associate's degree from KCC. I shall always be grateful for my time at KCC.

Catherine Ma | Faculty

To me, KCC is a place where dreams come true. For many of our students, KCC is a place for them to be the first in their families to attend college and change their future for the better. For faculty like myself, KCC is a place for me to share my experiences as an immigrant and first-generation college graduate and be the college professor I never had. I get the privilege of mentoring students who look like me and doing research on antiracism that helps us be more inclusive and embrace diversity.

Susy Grison Manzan | Student

KCC, for me, means new life, my future where I am growing not only in my career but as a human being. Where I meet people every day with the same dream: to have a place for themselves in this world.

Edward Martin | Retiree

As a faculty member for over 40 years, former department chair, and now adjunct professor, KCC has allowed me to work with so many dedicated professionals to contribute to the educational growth of thousands of deserving students, who have gone on to have successful and meaningful careers and lives.

Zainab Masood | Student

KCC is not just about academics; it's also a place for personal growth. Students learn to manage their time, set goals, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. They often gain independence and maturity.

Cayla McIntosh-Julien | Student

KCC, for me, means a brand-new start, looking at a new world and entering into a new self, taking in a new aspect of everything and finding myself in this now chaotic world. Although there will be many trials to face, at least I will be going through these trials with an open mind and an open heart; knowing what I want and what I want to achieve will be my stepping stone through this part of my never-ending adventure through life. KCC, to me, is a new me, and I am stepping into this new adventure brightly.

Nawel Messaoudi | Student

Kingsborough Community College has paved the way for a brighter future in my life. Being the only CUNY institution that accepted me despite my limited English proficiency, I have strived to demonstrate to the professors and advisors at KCC that I truly deserve this opportunity. As I approach the completion of my associate's degree, I find that I have gained the respect of those who once underestimated me before my school enrollment. Now, I proudly receive admiration and recognition from the people around me. KCC has allowed me to refine my English, Math, Chemistry, and Biology skills and broadened my perspective on research within CUNY. This marks the initial stride toward a prosperous future, and being at KBCC, I believe my dreams begin here.

Fritzson Michel | Student

Kingsborough Community College | KCC has been my home away from home for the past two years. I am enrolled in the Community Health | COH Program, majoring in Health Education and Promotion. I have 18 credits left to complete my associate program and am excited to finish strong. KCC has given me so much. I have learned so much about health and wellness and made lifelong friends. The professors are passionate about their work and are always willing to help. The staff is friendly and supportive. And the campus is beautiful and welcoming. I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended KCC. It has helped me to grow as a student and as a person. The skills and knowledge I have gained here will allow me to succeed in my future endeavors. I am incredibly grateful for the COH Program. The professors in this program are experts in their field and are committed to helping students succeed. They have taught me so much about health education and promotion and have inspired me to make a difference in the world. I am excited to finish my degree at KCC and start my health education career. I will be successful because of the foundation that I have built here. Thank you, KCC, for everything!

Estelle Miller | Retiree

My twenty + years at KCC defined my professional career. It was an honor to be an educator, a counselor and academic adviser during my tenure. The students and my colleagues were exceptional people and I remember them with love and appreciation.

Barbara Minsky | Alumni

Graduating from the first class of KCC in 1964, I was an editor for the first issue of the literary magazine, "Antheon." A one-line poem, which appeared in the magazine, best describes my experience at KCC. "It's dark in here, it’s dark out there, Somebody, turn on a light." That's exactly what my experience at KCC did for me; it turned on my light, which is still working well!

Patrice Morgan | Alumni & Faculty

KCC is where my love of education began. As a student, I remember feeling like I belonged.  Now as a faculty member, I strive to support all my students on their educational and career paths to becoming inspirational and effective educators.

Akhrorkhuja Muminov| Alumni

Kingsborough Community College has contributed immensely towards my legal education. The criminal justice program’s availability has cultivated my eagerness to pursue law. Upon graduation, I transferred to John Jay College with the help of the ASAP program. Currently, I am completing my legal career as a rising 2L student at Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Thank you KCC for your resources, professors, and great people in general.

Jose Nanin | Faculty

KCC symbolizes hope and prosperity for so many students in Brooklyn and the rest of NYC, and beyond! It also represents a place where faculty of diverse backgrounds can thrive as scholars and advocates. Our college has been through many changes in 60 years and it is just getting better with time!

Karen Natera | Student

KCC gives me the power to excel even further to reach my dreams.

Adam Olgun  | Student

KCC is important for me because it provides a way for a better future/life. KCC changed my life by showing me that getting a degree is easy and doable. KCC means a lot to me, and because of it, I can have a better future.

Joseph Ortiz | Staff

Kingsborough Community College is more than just an institution; it embodies my journey toward a brighter future, a beacon of hope, and the guardian of my dreams. My path at KCC began with my enrollment in the CUNY Fatherhood Academy program, a leap of faith to pursue my high school equivalency diploma. What unfolded exceeded my wildest dreams. KCC not only provided me with knowledge but also embraced me as family. The support and encouragement from the CUNY Fatherhood Academy and the KCC community were miraculous. KCC helped me earn my high school equivalency diploma and opened doors for me to achieve my associate’s degree. As I sit here today, reflecting on my KCC journey, tears fill my eyes as I proudly say I earned my HSE Diploma and my associate’s degree. To me, KCC means a second chance, a loving family, and the endless pursuit of dreams. It embodies the essence of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of education. KCC is where I found not just an education but also a home for my aspirations, for that, I am forever grateful.

 

Michael Ortiz | Staff

Kingsborough has been near and dear to me since 2009 when I began working in the Office of Student Life through a work-study program with Brooklyn College. I'm grateful to Tasheka Sutton-Young and JoAnne Palmieri for their leadership and support as I became part of the Kingsborough family while earning my MA degree. In 2012, things came full circle for me when I began teaching sociology classes here! Developing my curriculum and connecting with students became my passion, and I'm grateful to Susan Farrell for giving me a start as a faculty member. Since then, I've taught sociology courses at multiple colleges and tutored students in writing. Currently, I'm a first-year student at the CUNY Graduate Center working toward my PhD in Sociology. It's a blessing and a comfort to still be here at Kingsborough while I continue my education—as I did all those years ago. The halls of the school and the faces of the people are what make Kingsborough the special place it is. Happy 60th Anniversary!!

Dominique Pallier | Alumni

I returned to get an education at the age of 45. Determined, I persevered and graduated top of my class, and was honored by the Phi Theta Kappa organization. Along the way I was very lucky and honored to have had several professors that were the top of the line in their teaching skills, devoted to the students as well as being supportive. The various people at the departments at the college were also very helpful and made themselves available when needed. Travel and Tourism was my concentration and upon graduating I landed a position at a French hotel in midtown Manhattan. My education at KCC prepared me for such a position. For the last six years or so, I have taken additional classes as a My Turn Student. KCC really is like a second home!!

Ma Izabel Perez | Alumni

I had drawbacks from the former college I went to that led me to think negatively, which resulted in me being on probation or academically dismissed. (The year 2018) KCC means a lot to me as it became my haven, my miracle, and my solace when I thought everything would inevitably happen to me. KCC accepted me with no questions asked, and I got multiple supports from all the staff who see beyond who we are as an individual rather than what grades we get. Plus, the beautiful scenery of the ocean was very calming to the mind. If I were to return and study again, I would definitely choose KCC!

Joel Quintalino | Alumni

KCC is more than a college to me; it’s my home. I grew up here in Manhattan Beach, only two blocks from college. I watched this place grow as I grew up -- from old navy buildings to modern library clusters. Many of my friends’ parents worked here: Mike Zibren and Tomas Nonn, to name a few. My mom, Vera, became a member of the chorus for over 30 years. I enrolled here in Fall 1976, stayed for two years, and came back for my degree in ‘83 after living and working in Aspen, Colorado. In 1985, I became an NYC Firefighter working in Manhattan and a busy musician playing original music. I’ve since retired in 2008 and have continued my journey, but I always return to KCC. Surrounded by water, it’s a peaceful place...and the fishing isn't Bad!

Hoorain Rashid | Student

I will never regret that I had CUNY Kingsborough Community College as my top school of choice. Kingsborough provided me with the foundation to achieve what I want in my profession and career. My overall experience is very pleasant. So far, I have had such amazing and wonderful teachers. They have helped and guided me through the semester. Even when things got tough, they were there for me. KCC’s primary mission is to provide affordable higher education and prepare students for further studies or careers. I love being here and gaining insights from honorable professors.

Alexis Regnier | Alumni

KCC became a place of possibilities, not merely for the inexpensive tuition but for the promise of being more. Coming from a life of hardship, it was a privilege to get to know, respect, and trust the faculty and staff in this great institution. I learned so much about myself and the possibilities that lay before me. I'm grateful for KCC, its staff, and its alums. I am a PROUD alumnus of KCC and am indebted to so many there who helped me continue my journey in a positive direction.

Johana Rivera | Staff

KCC means Commitment, Passion, Drive, Persistence and Success!

Eric Rothenburg | Faculty

KCC is my life. Working here for 40+ years has given me a fulfilling career and many other external benefits. From being an elementary school student in 1970 visiting the campus for the first time on a school trip, through sitting in on summer concerts in the 1970's and 1980's with my brother performing in "Music Under the Stars" as a volunteer bass clarinet player to starting to work here in 1981 and as a full professor in the Department Business now in 2023 has given me so much pleasure and enjoyment. The job is indeed a "labor of love."  Listening to the Library clock tower chime at 12 noon and 6 PM daily was such a treat. Friends that I have made, working with peers and administrators, and of course teaching more than 10,000 students over the years has made this a terrific career and one that I will always treasure.  Thank you KCC for being so good to me, my wife and my brother. I contribute funds to KCC since KCC has and always will be an integral part of my life. 

Michael Sabatelle | Alumni & Faculty

KCC played a very important role in my life. KCC became my second home. Active as a student 1969-1971, including the Scepter staff for two years and serving as its photography editor for one and a half years, graduating with the Scepter Award and member of the yearbook Odyssey staff’s photography editor and editor in chief. Fifty years ago, in September 1973, I returned to the KCC Art Department, working as a college assistant in the darkroom of the newly offered photography classes. After earning my MFA degree in photography in 1975, I began teaching photography classes for the past 47 years from 1976 to the present. I was honored to be the faculty advisor of the Photo Club and yearbook for 22 years. I'm grateful that I decided to attend KCC in 1969 instead of a larger university college campus.

Diane M. Schenker | Alumni & Retiree

I was a student and retiree at KCC. These were some of the best years of my adult life!  Staff, students, and MyTurners helped me graduate with Honors and I recommend KCC to all. Thanks so much for being there for me

Michael Schleifer| Alumni

Opportunity. Kingsborough provided me with two lifelines. In 1973, having flunked out of Brooklyn College, I met an English professor at KCC who introduced me to the writings of Thoreau. In 2005, I joined the board of directors of The Thoreau Society and served as its president from 2012-2018. I am currently the treasurer. In 1990, at age 35, I returned to take classes in broadcasting and to work at WKRB. Following was a 20-year part-time career as a sportscaster, including four broadcasts from MSG and two each from Yankee and Shea Stadiums. I am eternally grateful to KCC for these life-altering opportunities.

Mishala Scott| Alumni

KCC holds a special place in my heart. This institution and its staff prepared me for my journey at Brooklyn College. My advisors spoke the truth and informed me of possible pathways to becoming a teacher. Now a graduate of Brooklyn College, and a Prek teacher, I often reflect on the care, encouragement, and support I received as a first-generation college student. Had it not been for the dedication of the staff and professors, I might have stopped my education at KCC, but I didn’t. Thank you KCC.

Maria Shah | Student

Education is liberty for the soul. KCC has liberated my soul so that I may make my dreams a reality.

Valeriya Shumyatskaya | Student

My study at KCC changed my life. First of all, I improved my academic English (English is my second language), and I met a lot of great people who always supported me and helped me enjoy my study process. I am also amazed at how the education system works in the United States. Everything is oriented toward students: We can make our own schedule, the professors make education exciting and helpful for the future. My life is already divided into before and after. I have already received a lot of benefits and am sure that I’ll get even more opportunities through my studies at KCC. I’m delighted and appreciative to be a student here.

Danielle Smith| Alumni

What can I say about Kingsborough Community College? KCC is a great place to get your education. Sixty years of educating minds and showing them that anything is possible with hard work. While attending KCC they made me feel like I could achieve my dream of getting my education. Between tutoring, scholarships, and professors, there was no way I could not reach my goal of obtaining my education. I graduated from KCC in 2021; it was one of the proudest moments in my life. So, cheers to Kingsborough for hitting another milestone.

Adrienne Leiner Slomin| Alumni

KCC has such a beautiful campus located in Manhattan Beach. Starting at a two-year college, receiving an AA degree was a great foundation and helped me prepare for my BA degree at Brooklyn College and then for my MSW degree at Adelphi University. I went to KCC from 1976 to 1979 during the transition from having only barracks to watching the transition of the building of the modern library, the glass ceiling over the pool (so beautiful), seeing a shark swimming in the science building, and having the opportunity to sing in the first musical, “Boys From Syracuse” in the beautiful new theater.

Onica Thorman | Alumni

I started at Kingsborough in 2013. I was very proud to attend college. When I started, I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect, but during that time I learned how to become more comfortable. The classes I took toward my major in Mental Health and Human Services helped me to understand the depth of mental illness. I am happy to say that many of the professors and lecturers I had were wonderful and did everything to help me succeed. I am grateful to them all. The day I graduated in June 2018, they were there to support my accomplishments. I went from being that nervous student to the Dean’s List and graduating. Today, I am happy to have attended Kingsborough, which changed my life. I feel gratitude and appreciation for the people who work at the College.

Gulnora Tursunova | Student

KCC is the place where my dream begins to come true. During my first year of study at KCC, I got a lot of support from ASAP staff, Advisors, and Professors.  Moreover, there are many opportunities to enhance my communication skills and leadership and meet with career-developing staff.

Donna-lyn Washington | Faculty

KCC is the opportunity to figure out your place in the world at your own pace.

Jessica Way | Alumni

KCC means a lot to me because with only an associate degree, I was able to fulfill my dream of becoming a federal correction officer. I am now retired and happy.

Dorothy Weinberger | Alumni & Staff

I came here as an Education Major, and here I am, years later, back in the most beautiful place to work. It’s like I never left this magical place!

Zola Williams | Alumni

To me, KCC means I fulfilled a part of my lifelong dream of attending college. In 1998, I was unable to attend due to circumstances beyond my control. In 2013, I saw an opportunity to enroll and complete my studies while working full-time and raising my two daughters. I am a proud graduate of the Class of 2015.

Midori Yamamura | Faculty

KCC is the school that can change the lives of our students for the better. Some former students went to the Ivy League or became activists for important causes. I love teaching at KCC!

Tara Yarczower | Alumni & Staff

KCC is my home away from home.