Sue Ellyn Cortez
Reprinted from Winter 2022 EOP Newsletter
Sue Ellyn Cortez and her four-year old daughter were both headed to the classroom last fall. For Cortez, who graduated from high school in 2012, the time was finally right to go to college. And thanks to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides intensive counseling, tutoring, skill development workshops, supplemental instruction and other services, Sue Ellyn is receiving the support she needs to be successful at Nassau Community College.
“My goal was always to continue my education…I want to be a role model to my daughter,” said Cortez, who plans to major in theatre arts. “I want to give it my all.”
Sue Ellyn is one of three moms who juggled parenthood and jobs while participating in NCC’s EOP Pre-Freshman Summer Program. Helping these busy student mothers overcome obstacles and reach their academic goals is a priority for Nassau EOP Director William Clyde Jr. and his counselors, who champion the needs of parenting students.
According to data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, more than one in five college students are parents. Of the nearly four million students who are raising children while in college, more than 70 percent are mothers. The largest share of student parents are enrolled in community colleges.
Akeema Morton, a radiation therapy major, already had a full plate before enrolling at NCC. A married mother of three who works full-time and is a volunteer board member at the MLK Center, Akeema is an experienced multi-tasker. She was interviewed for this story while waiting in the checkout line at the local Stop & Shop. Adding classes, homework and studying to her daily responsibilities is daunting.
“For me, the EOP summer program was a blueprint for what’s to come,” said Morton. “There are things I had forgotten about school life.” She particularly enjoyed working in a group because she found she could feed off the energy of other students.
Though she has taken some ribbing from her children for returning to school at age 30, Morton wants her kids to see the importance of education.
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Jun 15, 2020 | NCC
Nasstacia Dawkins
I am currently employed as a registrar in the Emergency Room at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where I obtain patients’ demographic and insurance information. Due to COVID-19 however, my team and I have helped out in other ways, too--from Environmental Services, to Hospitality, and even at times as patient care representatives.
Jun 8, 2020 | NCC
Nick Gambella
My name is Nick Gambella and I am a 2019 graduate of the Respiratory Therapy Program at NCC. I am currently working at Long Island Jewish and Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Jun 4, 2020 | NCC
Annmarie Flanagan
I am currently working in the Town of Hempstead as an EMT and I also am an EMS lieutenant in the Bellmore Fire Department. My current responsibilities are to respond to a variety of emergency calls, including COVID-19 related calls, and to transport patients to the hospital as needed.
Jun 1, 2020 | NCC
Deborah McCallion
I am an adjunct Nursing professor at and alumna of Nassau Community College. In addition, I'm a Clinical Nurse Manager at a State Veterans Home, managing two units that are designated COVID19 units.
May 26, 2020 | NCC
Jerome McGrowder
An ordinary day at work for me is spent in different departments of the hospital facility. Transporting patients one day and others I spend responding to emergencies. My education at NCC has helped prepare me to assist in this battle with COVID19 abundantly
May 4, 2020 | NCC
Sara Koumou
I am truly thankful for the NCC Nursing Program. As a New Grad they told us the first year of nursing would be hard, but nursing in a pandemic is something else. Working in an acute care setting and having an abbreviated orientation to my hospital, unit, and operating system has truly been a completely stressful and difficult situation.
Apr 30, 2020 | NCC
Michael Kleinschmidt
I work at Northwell Health as the Chief Technologist in the Cath Lab at North Shore Manhasset. I'm responsible for the day to day operations and staffing of the technologists in the lab. We have 25 technologists on our team.
Apr 27, 2020 | NCC
Gloria Hoerning
I am a registered respiratory therapist at two Long Island Hospitals and both hospitals have seen record numbers of admitted patients with severe respiratory complications in need of advanced therapies and including mechanical ventilation.
Apr 23, 2020 | NCC
Aryeh
I work as a Respiratory Technician in Manhattan. I deliver and set up home respiratory equipment to patients with all types of illnesses all over the Tri-state area. Normally our primary patients are 9/11 first responders but now, of course, I go to a lot more COVID-19 patients who need oxygen or other medical supplies.
Apr 20, 2020 | NCC
Kerri Ann McTiernan
Congratulations to Kerri-Ann McTiernan, Director of NCC Athletics, recipient of the Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award! The award is given to those who make significant contributions to two-year college athletics on a national level for an extended period of time.
Apr 1, 2020 | NCC
About NCC Profiles
This site is dedicated to sharing the stories of the NCC Community. Our wonderful faculty, alumni and students are what make Nassau Community College the best investment in your education and your future. The College is truly a community and these are the wonderful individuals that make it so special. Continue to check back as these profiles will be updated on a routine basis.
Jan 1, 2020 | NCC
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