Meet the First Generation at SUNY Old Westbury
First in your family to attend college? You are not alone, more than a third of Old Westbury students are "first generation students". In addition to the students, many faculty and staff were also the first in their family to pursue a college degree.
Faculty and Staff
- Betty Berbari, Assistant Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
- Paul Ferrante, Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement
- Stephanie Mejia, First Year Advisor - First Year Experience
- Maria Moreno, Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards
- Lisa B. Zanders, EOP Counselor Educational Opportunity Program
Betty Berbari, Assistant Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Being a first-generation college graduate always meant so much to me. My parents immigrated to the US from Greece in 1959, and both barely finished high school. Growing up in Brooklyn, they made it clear that going to college was a must. I also learned quickly how to be independent. Applying to college, the SAT, etc., were all things that I had to manage on my own. It is hard to describe the looks on their faces at my commencement. Being the student commencement speaker was the icing on the cake! Their inspiration caused me to go to graduate school as well.
Paul Ferrante, Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement
Paul attended Lycoming College for his bachelor’s in corporate communication and then earned his master's in communication arts from New York Institute of Technology. He joined Higher Education as an intern within the Student Engagement Office at New York Tech supporting fraternity & sorority life. In May 2022, Paul completed his Masters in School Counseling from New York Tech and is working on building partnerships to further support K-16+ education. Paul has experiences as an Assistant Director at New York Tech and at Hofstra University and is now currently working at SUNY Old Westbury as the Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement. Paul’s favorite part about higher education is working with passionate students and seeing them develop over time and start their transition into a career or further education. Paul is also an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. During his free time, he is an active member of the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus, an active viewer of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and likes to explore small town life with an iced coffee in hand.
What was your experience as a first-generation student?
Fun and transformative, but terrifying. I was navigating college by myself with limited support from my family. When you're 18, away from the comfort of family and familiarity, and you're still unsure of yourself, you don't know where to go or who you are. Until you meet your village of people, then I was able to start embracing who I was.
What were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? Finances were a major issue. I grew up in a one-parent household and finances were always tight. When I started college, I was really unsure of how I would pay these bills and stay afloat. I was using my federal work study, but it wasn't enough, and I relied on my student loans to get me through. It got to a point where I had to turn down opportunities because financially, it wasn't feasible. During my senior year, I was given the opportunity to go to China with the College Tour Choir and I mustered up the courage and vulnerability to speak with financial aid for that year to at least get some additional aid, which they were able to provide me. I ended up saving and getting support from my family to go to China for two weeks and sing with friends. Getting the courage to ask for help and guidance takes a lot, especially if that is not part of who you are. But sometimes it works out for you.
What support or resources were particularly helpful to you?
I relied heavily on the staff and faculty at my undergrad. I built connections with my faculty advisor for mentorships, became close with the career office to help me identify some local opportunities for me, and built friendships with the student life and alumni teams.
These individuals really helped me build the skills that I actively use today in my role and each of them invested in me whether that was time, money, or lending advice.
How has your experience influenced your work or perspective in higher education?
From my experience in undergrad and now working in higher education, I really consider how I create belonging and a sense of community for students. When I started working in the field, I quickly realized that it takes a village for students and that realization made me appreciate my undergraduate experience even more. At the first institution I worked at, I was working on my school counseling degree and attended a staff development day with the Vice President, and I remember them saying that as a professional, we need to support the student in getting to campus for their first year, support the student through their time here, and continue the connection after graduation. This was rooted in belonging and I couldn't help thinking about my engagement as a Lycoming Alum and wanted to bring those feelings into my work for each student.
What advice would you offer to current or prospective first-generation students?
Don't get caught up in the challenges but challenge yourself. You're going to face obstacles and that's perfectly fine, but don't let it take control. Sometimes you may feel alone, and you may not see the end of the tunnel but come to us because we are your support; don't take on a challenge by yourself, rely on us as faculty and staff because we are here to support you. On the other side, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone, build up your resilience, and use your voice to advocate. College is a time to build up skills, your community, and yourself.
Stephanie Mejia, First Year Advisor - First Year Experience
As a first gen student, I didn't take the college application process seriously. I followed the footsteps of my older sibling. In retrospect, I would have done more research on majors, colleges, and special programs. I had to learn how to advocate for myself. During my freshman year, I was afraid to do certain things like dropping a class. I ended up getting a job on campus that taught me about college processes. I had to learn how to take control of my college experience. During undergrad, I was a part of mentorship programs (that specifically benefitted Black & Latino students).
These programs kept me focused but also taught me the value of mentorship. I had someone explain processes to me that I was unfamiliar with. I also had peers that I could talk to when I needed help. I chose to go into higher education as my profession as a result of my first gen college experience. I've been fortunate enough to work with populations like adult learners, EOP students, and high school seniors over the last 8 years of my life. My goal, as a higher ed professional, is to give all the students I come into contact with the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves. My view on higher ed. is that it can be empowering and transformational for a person.
Ask people for help!!! Ask your professors, advisors, older students, for help. Seek out kind people that are willing to help and lean on them.
Maria Moreno, Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards
I came from the Dominican Republic when I was 12 years old. My parents sacrificed so much to give myself and my little brother an opportunity to get an education and a roof over our heads. As a first-generation student, I was lucky to have mentors who guided me and helped me with the many struggles and barriers I faced growing up. English is my second language, and you can imagine how hard it was to transfer from another country to a new country with a new culture. I graduated top 10 of my High School, raised in East New York, Brooklyn. I obtained a full ride scholarship that covered all expenses to attend a private institution including tuition and board. I graduated with a bachelor's in accounting and a master's degree in Higher Education from Hofstra University.
Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral degree, in dissertation phase at Manhattanville College. I couldn’t accomplish all these amazing things without the support of my mentors, friends, and my parents. I encourage students to pursue their passion and continue to be resilience to reach anything they want, always seek for mentorships relationships to navigate the barriers and struggles. I am a proud Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards at SUNY Old Westbury. I went through language barriers, roadblocks, and financial issues. I never gave up and I ask you never to give up on your dreams.
I ask my students to continue to be humble despite the world we are in right now. My passion for working in higher education comes from helping others reach their full potential. I want students to walk that stage and graduate despite if they went through conduct or not. My goal is to help students as much as I can to reach their goals but with that enforce them to follow our policies on campus for their own safety. A last message that was once told to me “Never let anyone say no and work hard with determination, resilience, and courage. You got this.”
Lisa B. Zanders, EOP Counselor Educational Opportunity Program
As a proud First-Generation college graduate and EOP alumna of SUNY Brockport, I am deeply passionate about supporting students as they navigate their academic journeys. I’m also the proud mom of two adult sons, and I hail from Hempstead, NY, where I graduated from Hempstead High School—Go Tigers, I’m a Tiger for Life!.
With over 30 years of experience in higher education, I’ve dedicated my career to working with students in various student support programs that empower and guide them toward success. I’ve served in roles such as an HEOP counselor at Hofstra University in the 90s, an HEOP counselor at Rochester Institute of Technology for six years, and an academic counselor at Georgia State University for ten years. Additionally, I served as the TRIO Upward Bound Coordinator at Atlanta Metropolitan College for two years and worked as the TRIO Coordinator for Student Support Services at Molloy College for six and a half years.
In July 2024, I joined the EOP staff here as an EOP Counselor, where I continue to advocate for and support students in their academic endeavors. A personal highlight in my own educational journey is that I completed my final nine credits for my undergraduate degree at SUNY Old Westbury, under the guidance and mentorship of Mr. Alonzo McCollum, the EOP Director. His support played a pivotal role in my success as a First-Generation student and continues to inspire my approach to helping students today. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in African Studies from SUNY Brockport, as well as a Master of Science in Education with a major in Counselor Education.
When I’m not working with students, I enjoy spending my free time sewing and creating clothing—an outlet that brings me joy and creativity.
