Tina Kopel: Five Decades of Service and Dedication

Tina Kopel, assistant to the chief librarian, has seen Kingsborough Community College through five decades of struggles, growth and positive transformations. She joined Kingsborough in September 1970, just two months before Elvis Presley visited the White House Oval Office to meet Richard Nixon. She walked the grounds of KCC and most likely was at work the day Disney World opened in 1971 in Orlando. She saw the world witness the first U.S. president, Richard Nixon, visit China in 1972. She lived through the Vietnam war, all while participating in nurturing a fledgling campus, only seven years old at the time, that even today continues to stand for human rights and equity. She watched from the grounds of a campus that was once just a series of barracks with approximately 750 students in attendance, as the world transformed around her and Kingsborough dug in and carved a place for itself in history, and specifically, in Brooklyn.

“One of my fondest memories is that of walking up the ramp to the newly built library, since the steps had not as yet been installed,” recalls Tina. “When I began working in the library, the campus was not as beautiful as it is today; instead I found that my sneakers were always muddy and there were no permanent buildings.” Her first position at the College was supervising full- and part-time support staff as well as work-study students at the library circulation desk.

Tina has also had her share of amusing interactions over the years. “When I first started working at the College, I was told that I was on the wrong line to get my paycheck, that I was on the staff line and I was supposed to be on the student line,” she shares.  “When I started wearing suits to work, I felt now I wouldn’t be mistaken for a student. I wasn’t.  Instead, I was told to go on the faculty line!” She also recalls another amusing event when a member of the Human Resources staff called to tell her that a work-study student complained that a student was acting as her supervisor and her name was Tina. “The Human Resource member had to explain to the student that I was not a student but was, in fact, her supervisor!”

The 51-yearlong Kingsborough employee is not short of memories that stretch beyond world-changing events. “For the past almost 41 years, I have worked with five chief librarians and three interim chief librarians,” she says. “I received two awards at Kingsborough, which include: an award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a graduate from Kingsborough’s Office Administration Department and the second award as Alumna of the Year for outstanding achievements in the business world given by Phi Beta Lambda, the National Business Honorary Society.” 

Tina has had the privilege of listening to many inspiring guest speakers, including Jane Fonda, Muhammad Ali, Rabbi Meir Kahane, Xaviera Hollander, Isaac Bashevis Singer, among many others during her tenure at Kingsborough. “I have served three consecutive terms as support staff representative to College Council and 20 years later was honored to serve again.” She has also served on many committees, including the Board of Directors Alumna Committee, the Instruction Committee and currently the Women’s History Month Committee. Her engagement did not stop there.

Her love of art culminated in her installation of several pieces at Kingsborough.  These pieces include a Black History Month exhibit, a Women’s History Month exhibit, Chancellor Robert J. Kibbee exhibit (for whom the library is named), the Faculty Monograph exhibit, the installation of the exhibit at the opening of the Marine Academic Center, as well as, the exhibit honoring Betty (Moe) Trezza, one of the women portrayed in the movie, “A League of Their Own”. “Two of my most prized possessions are an autographed baseball and baseball card presented to me by Ms. Trezza.”

Tina was also asked to assist with the installation of the Holocaust exhibit in Washington, DC.  She did not take advantage of the opportunity.  “I was asked to help install the exhibit by one of the professors at Kingsborough, but did not do so because it was too hard for me since my mother spent three of her teenage years in a concentration camp.” Tina is proud of all that she’s accomplished and has been a part of over the years. 

Tina’s interactions with students have not gone unrewarded. “One of the highlights of my career at KCC was seeing a former work-study student, after 20 years, and learning of all her accomplishments.” In many ways, Tina sees herself in the students. “As a graduate of KCC, I always knew that I wanted to return and start my career at the College one day and maybe make a difference in a student’s life.” 

Tina recognized that she had opportunities to work in already established universities but wanted to be part of a college that she could see grow and flourish. “I cannot think of a more fulfilling and rewarding career than working at Kingsborough, where I feel I have made a difference and hopefully have helped students realize their goals along the way.” Tina’s vision was realized, and Kingsborough has in fact flourished and continues to be an award-winning school, recognized as a top community college in Brooklyn. Tina has been here for nearly the entire journey.

“The last time I was honored for my years of service, I was given a brick, which was placed in the Walk of Fame, to symbolize being part of the foundation of the College.” And a part of the foundation she is. Tina never wavered and has remained at Kingsborough through it all. She is the epitome of dedication, perseverance and a stalwart member of our forever thriving community. And to think, her plan was to only work at the College for six months! 

Although Kingsborough has been, in many ways, an integral part of her life, she also enjoys her time off. “In my free time, I enjoy visiting with family and friends, taking photos, especially while taking walks on the Coney Island boardwalk, going out to restaurants, the theater, the movies, listening to music, and taking care of my numerous plants.”

We should all take a trip to the library to not only visit Tina, but to learn about the history of Kingsborough through her eyes, and how world changes affected the trajectory of Kingsborough. Tina, thank you for your service to this community!