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| International Enrollment (left to right) Yaruby Petit-Frere, Associate Director Cyndy Marchese, Vice President Nori Jaffer, Associate Vice President |
How long have you been at Berkeley College, and what has your experience been like?
I’ve been with Berkeley College for over 35 years. It’s been a great period of growth from the first day, not only for me personally, but for the College as a whole.
How has Berkeley College grown?
Berkeley College has grown in enrollment, the number and location of campuses, and the educational offerings. For example, when I first started, we were located in East Orange, NJ. In 1976, we moved to Garret Mountain and the Manhattan campus was still in the Chrysler Building. And, other than a few students from the Caribbean islands, we did not have any international students. Now, we have over 700 international students from all over the world.
I’ve been with Berkeley College for over 35 years. It’s been a great period of growth from the first day, not only for me personally, but for the College as a whole.
How has Berkeley College grown?
Berkeley College has grown in enrollment, the number and location of campuses, and the educational offerings. For example, when I first started, we were located in East Orange, NJ. In 1976, we moved to Garret Mountain and the Manhattan campus was still in the Chrysler Building. And, other than a few students from the Caribbean islands, we did not have any international students. Now, we have over 700 international students from all over the world.
You’re also an alumna of Berkeley College. What was it like to work for the College after you graduated?
I have always felt proud being a part of Berkeley College because I am a product of the Berkeley Way and believe in it. When I was a student, we were taught to be professional and that we not only represent ourselves but the College. This feeling prevailed when transitioning into working here. There was a real sense of community at that time, and it still exists today. Even before Facebook or Twitter, it was instilled in us from the first day we walked through the doors. I know that our students feel that way today. They see that Berkeley College is focused, that our aim is to give them the tools they need to succeed today.
I have always felt proud being a part of Berkeley College because I am a product of the Berkeley Way and believe in it. When I was a student, we were taught to be professional and that we not only represent ourselves but the College. This feeling prevailed when transitioning into working here. There was a real sense of community at that time, and it still exists today. Even before Facebook or Twitter, it was instilled in us from the first day we walked through the doors. I know that our students feel that way today. They see that Berkeley College is focused, that our aim is to give them the tools they need to succeed today.
What is your official title, and what does your position entail?
My title is Vice President, International Enrollment; my position entails presenting Berkeley College to the world. The International Student Office handles the marketing, advertising, recruiting, and the servicing of all international students. When international students join Berkeley College, we stay connected with them through graduation and beyond.
We handle immigration issues, records for homeland security, and a number of other questions and procedures. There are many technicalities involved, but from a humanistic point of view, our greatest achievement is when we have happy and successful graduates.
What happens to international students when they graduate?
International students are allowed to work for one year after graduation. This is called “optional practical training”. Many will complete an internship and return to their home countries for positions that are waiting for them through contacts made during their internship or family businesses.
As Henok Kidane, a recent graduate with a BBA in International Business, said “In New York City, if you don’t have experience but you’re willing to work hard, employers will give you a chance to prove yourself. It’s a rewarding place!”
When students take advantage of what Berkeley College has to offer, the world becomes their oyster. I know this first-hand, and I strongly believe in it.
How do our international alumni get involved?
Our international alumni have been a huge help in helping us to grow our enrollment. We went from two students from Japan in 1991 to more than 700 international students enrolled to date from over 100 different countries.
A large number of our graduates have referred students to Berkeley College from their home countries. This is wonderful because we have entire families come to Berkeley; and families of students eventually become families of alumni. This is great because it means we’re really doing our job. They wouldn’t be sending their family if we weren’t doing a great job – the faculty, associates, and the entire Berkeley College experience.
What projects are you currently working on?
Right now, we are working on September enrollment. Growth in China has doubled over the past few years. Many Chinese students in the past looked for graduate degrees, but now there is a whole new market for undergraduate students.
We are currently refining and increasing our recruitment in China, and we would love to connect with alumni to develop even stronger partnerships in the region. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact me.
Staff development is also an ongoing project for me. I believe that if people are not always learning, they can never grow. If I can’t learn, I can’t grow. I learn so much from speaking with students and my colleagues, just by listening and being interested. I am always attending conferences and reading studies, but it is the students who teach me the details.
Do you see alumni as a vital part of your work?
Alumni are absolutely a vital part of my work. Our alumni are Berkeley College. I just met with an alumnus in Guangzhou, my first student from China. His children just began to attend the Singapore-American school, one of the places we recruit from. He was in a restaurant in Singapore, and he accidentally met one of his classmates from Japan.
I keep in touch with him to this day. They may change names and countries, but our alumni also keep in touch, and they know how to stay connected.
I believe that every student who walks through the doors of Berkeley College has a fresh perspective that we can listen to and learn from. They bring new ideas, different cultural perspectives, and value systems. I am incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity.
What happens to international students when they graduate?
International students are allowed to work for one year after graduation. This is called “optional practical training”. Many will complete an internship and return to their home countries for positions that are waiting for them through contacts made during their internship or family businesses.
As Henok Kidane, a recent graduate with a BBA in International Business, said “In New York City, if you don’t have experience but you’re willing to work hard, employers will give you a chance to prove yourself. It’s a rewarding place!”
When students take advantage of what Berkeley College has to offer, the world becomes their oyster. I know this first-hand, and I strongly believe in it.
How do our international alumni get involved?
Our international alumni have been a huge help in helping us to grow our enrollment. We went from two students from Japan in 1991 to more than 700 international students enrolled to date from over 100 different countries.
A large number of our graduates have referred students to Berkeley College from their home countries. This is wonderful because we have entire families come to Berkeley; and families of students eventually become families of alumni. This is great because it means we’re really doing our job. They wouldn’t be sending their family if we weren’t doing a great job – the faculty, associates, and the entire Berkeley College experience.
What projects are you currently working on?
Right now, we are working on September enrollment. Growth in China has doubled over the past few years. Many Chinese students in the past looked for graduate degrees, but now there is a whole new market for undergraduate students.
We are currently refining and increasing our recruitment in China, and we would love to connect with alumni to develop even stronger partnerships in the region. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact me.
Staff development is also an ongoing project for me. I believe that if people are not always learning, they can never grow. If I can’t learn, I can’t grow. I learn so much from speaking with students and my colleagues, just by listening and being interested. I am always attending conferences and reading studies, but it is the students who teach me the details.
Do you see alumni as a vital part of your work?
Alumni are absolutely a vital part of my work. Our alumni are Berkeley College. I just met with an alumnus in Guangzhou, my first student from China. His children just began to attend the Singapore-American school, one of the places we recruit from. He was in a restaurant in Singapore, and he accidentally met one of his classmates from Japan.
I keep in touch with him to this day. They may change names and countries, but our alumni also keep in touch, and they know how to stay connected.
I believe that every student who walks through the doors of Berkeley College has a fresh perspective that we can listen to and learn from. They bring new ideas, different cultural perspectives, and value systems. I am incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity.
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