A Beautiful Mind

Elizabeth M. Albury’s college track is not an uncommon one. “I would take classes at various schools and then would relocate to another area, thereby losing credits that I already acquired,” explains Elizabeth, who has an AAS in Early Childhood Education from Broome Community College and began attending CWE in fall ’04. “CWE’s one day a week night classes were not only convenient with my schedule but were given in smaller class environments with students that were closer to my age.”

CWE has given Elizabeth flexibility in scheduling and the necessary guidance needed to help achieve her personal goal of obtaining a BA degree. “Other CUNY colleges that I had investigated did not offer this night-class environment,” she says. “From my first appointment at CWE, my advisor, Jason Chappell, really listened to my needs and my background to help guide me towards taking classes that would explore these interests as well as meet the requirements of my human services/ social work concentration.”

The Bay Shore native began her college track at SUNY Oneonta in upstate New York and later Broome Community College where she an AAS in ECE. Since earning her associates, she has worked in a variety of settings including education (primarily as an educator in non-profits programs designed for “at risk/disadvantaged” youth and families), office support for a commercial and residential real-estate agency, as a junior processor in the mortgage industry, office manager and assistant to a chiropractor in a wellness and homeopathic practice as well as the positions of crisis-hotline associate and facilitator of self-esteem workshops for youth, programs sponsored through a mental health association, among others.

Currently an intern with the Red Cross, Elizabeth enjoys the selection of courses offered at The Center and personal attention given to her needs. “I have two professors, whom I consider my mentors that are guiding me towards succeeding and challenge me to strive for excellence,” she says. “I am also excited that CWE wants to have more student involvement and I look forward to being an active member of the upcoming Student Government and implementing services, such as my initiative for a Food Drive project that will help to address the hunger needs of the New Yorker community.”

Elizabeth finds comfort in CWE’s unique and diverse student body. “It’s an older, mature, and focused environment that I have found to be extremely supportive,” she says. “I have been able to gain knowledge from my professors, not only the classroom arena, but towards my future professional goals, including graduate school preparation.”

Elizabeth advises prospective students to enter CWE with a focused mindset. “Through offering a variety of challenging classes that investigate and explore the arts and sciences, students will develop critical thinking and time management skills. All of the preceding attributes are necessary to be successful in whatever field one chooses.”