Employees of the Month Veronica Rodriguez
Margarita Vodopyanov
Center for Economic Workforce Development
Huge congrats to the Center for Economic Workforce Development’s Margarita Vodopyanov for being named the January Employee of the Month! A vibrant adjunct lecturer at Kingsborough Community College for over six years, Margarita stands out in her latest role as the program counselor in her department.
The program counselor is responsible for assisting students in developing and implementing their development plans and scheduling. Margarita also hosts prospective student information sessions, counsel participants and alumni, schedules workshops and guest speakers, and much more.
“I love working with my department because of the people and what we do. It’s all about connections and how you connect with the students. Everyone is so helpful. Everyone in the department is trying to help students. This is why we are here. When we are working together, we are most efficient helping students,” Margarita said.
A native of Russia, Margarita came to the United States 31 years ago, settling in Staten Island. She graduated from Adelphi University with a master’s in social work and held a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Margarita always wanted to do clinical work. When she first came to Kingsborough, seeking employment in the clinical field, she fell instantly in love with the campus.
“There is a beach. It’s a beautiful place,” Margarita recalled of her first impression of the Manhattan Beach campus.
When asked what her favorite memory has been working for KCC, she remembered, in 2010 as an intern with the Counseling Services, returning to campus following Superstorm Sandy. Although it was a sad time, it turned into a happy event as the KCC community became united. “Everyone was helping each other. There was a sense of unity, a sense of belonging. It was an overwhelming feeling,” Margarita explained.
Kymel Yard, director of the CUNY Fatherhood Academy, stated, “Rita goes above and beyond relationships with our students and their families. She will connect with students where they are and find the best way to meet them there. She has adapted to our ‘new normal’ by overcoming her fears around technology to try new apps and methods to meet student needs. Students look forward to their check-ins with Rita, and she prides herself on knowing and learning the little things. Encouraging students to build upon the work they have done and continue to do to achieve their dreams, especially in achieving their high school diploma.”
For Margarita, receiving the January Employee of the Month Award is one of her proudest moments. “I’m very happy and very honored and very humbled. This is the ultimate recognition. It’s overwhelming,” she said.
Congratulations to Margarita Vodopyanov!