Panel: SUNY Online Degrees at Scale Students

Jeanette Richetti is a non-traditional, part-time, online student from Queens, NY. A medical biller by day and yoga teacher by night (and weekends), Jeanette hopes to move on to bigger and better things in her career path with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management from SUNY Canton. A transfer student with an Associate’s Degree from Nassau Community College, Jeanette is in her second semester “back-to-school.”

Ernisa Ujkaj (she/her) is pursuing a degree in Psychology at Monroe Community College. She decided to return to college after taking a 10+ year break. Ernisa is pursuing a degree in Psychology because the field has always interested her. She hopes to progress her career and move to the Human Resources Department with the degree in Psychology. Ernisa was inspired to attend online school, when she was faced with the challenge of teaching her son this past year. After successfully completing the year with her son, she was ready to do it for herself. She is a mother of two young children, who already spends time away from them when working, the flexibility of online classes works best for her. Ernisa says, “There are many things that make me, me! But I guess my determination and my desire to make my children proud of me, is my focus right now.”

Mark West (He/Him/His) is currently a freshman at Monroe Community College through the SUNY Online program and is in pursuit of a degree in Business Administration. After a decade and a half of professional experience and several fruitless attempts at attending college he finally made the decision to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic. He plans to continue on and go for his masters in organizational development and human resources once he is completes his bachelor degree. When not studying for school he loves to take trips out of the city with his dog and partner to enjoy all of the natural beauty that upstate has to offer.

Nicole Officer (she/her) is a second-semester SUNY Empire State College student who has recently returned to school after a 30-year hiatus to finish her BS Business Management degree. Having a career in Sales Operations Management in a super premium tobacco company for the past 21 years, she chose this degree path to strengthen her business acumen and management skills. When she isn’t working or at school, she enjoys spending time outside and in her garden with her husband and dog.

Kevin Messam (he/him) is a Business Administration Student at Monroe Community College. He’s pursuing his associate’s degree at Monroe CC and plans to continue within the SUNY family and complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at SUNY Oswego. His dream is to obtain his MBA, ideally at an Ivy league school. Kevin is a passionate advocate for excellence and community relations. With sixteen years of professional experience across sports, media, and entertainment, Kevin found himself at a crossroads as he was being recruited for senior management positions in Corporate America. Since leaving college early to start his career, he has always been a strong advocate of education and decided that this was the right time to go back and complete his degree with a clear pathway in mind. With a demanding work schedule, being a parent of a 6-year-old, and a husband, Kevin found online school the perfect balance to manage his life more efficiently. Outside of work, Kevin is found spending time with his family playing board games, baking, and cooking with his daughter, or mentoring college students on career choices post-graduation.

Wilma Price (She/Her/Hers) is currently a Freshman at Monroe Community College studying for an Associates Degree in Business. Wilma is a Human Resource Director, Co-Pastor of a church, President and Founder of two Women’s Organizations, as well as a Talk Show Host. With such a busy schedule Online schooling not only works well with her schedule it gives her the ability continue with the growth and development of girls and women. She has a passion for seeing women succeed in spite of life’s difficulties. Her goal is to complete her degree and use it for the businesses she owns.