Schools Chancellor Betty Rosa Highlights 'Excellence and Equity' and Recognizes Berkeley College Graduate Jeffrey Mejia during City & State Education Power 100
Thursday, February 20, 2020
SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR BETTY ROSA HIGHLIGHTS ‘EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY’
AND RECOGNIZES BERKELEY COLLEGE GRADUATE JEFFREY MEJIA
DURING CITY & STATE EDUCATION POWER 100
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Photo Caption: Berkeley College served as a sponsor of the City & State Education Power 100, an event recognizing New York’s dedicated educators, on February 18, 2020, at The Flat NYC. “We have made it our top priority – our guiding principle – to ensure that every child has equitable access to the highest quality educational opportunity, services and support,” said honoree Betty A. Rosa, Chancellor, New York State Department of Education. “As a lifelong educator, I have always been driven by the conviction that poverty, crime and other obstacles at home and in the community can be overcome by truly excellent schools.” Chancellor Rosa was introduced by Jeffrey Mejia, a Berkeley College alumnus who overcame homelessness to obtain a college degree and make a name for himself as a standout athlete, volunteer, employee and member of his community. “Jeff Mejia is going to make our nation great,” Chancellor Rosa said. “We know there is nothing our students can’t achieve when the field is level,” she added.
The City & State Education Power 100 recognized the achievements of New York’s dedicated K-12 educators on February 18, 2020, at The Flat NYC. The evening opened with Jeffrey Mejia sharing his journey as a graduate of Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics High School (Class of 2013) and introducing Betty A. Rosa, Chancellor, New York State Department of Education. “Being a part of the New York City public education system showed me the importance of having grit, always having a curious mind and how to be a constant student of life,” Mr. Mejia said. “This prepared me for college as I pursued a degree in Business Management at Berkeley College.”
Mr. Mejia said the mentorship of Professor and Coach Emeritus Chris Christiansen, and support of Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College, who were in attendance at the event, helped him along his journey.
Photo Caption (L to R): Chris Christiansen, Professor and Coach Emeritus, Berkeley College; Jeffrey Mejia, Berkeley College alumnus; Betty A. Rosa, Chancellor, New York State Department of Education; and Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College, attend the City & State Education Power 100, an event recognizing New York’s dedicated educators, on February 18, 2020, at The Flat NYC.
“This event gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the educators and high schools in New York City and State, where our graduates like Jeffrey Mejia got their start,” President Smith said.
Mr. Mejia emigrated to Manhattan from the Dominican Republic at the age of 10 and faced homelessness at the age of 13. He excelled as a student and athlete throughout high school and college. At Berkeley College Mr. Mejia was a member and co-captain of championship-winning Men’s Basketball team, which garnered three national titled during his time as a student. He graduated from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in May 2017, and a Master of Business Administration in Management in December 2019. Mr. Mejia works as a digital client strategist for a company in Manhattan. He continues to volunteer as a coach in the youth basketball program at his church in Upper Manhattan where he got his start playing basketball as a teenager.
The program also featured remarks by State Senator John C. Liu, Chairman, New York City Education Committee. “Education gives everybody a chance to succeed in ways they can’t imagine,” said Senator Liu.
Photo Caption (L to R): State Senator John C. Liu, Chairman, New York City Education Committee, and Jeffrey Mejia, Berkeley College alumnus, attend the City & State Education Power 100, an event recognizing New York’s dedicated educators, on February 18, 2020, at The Flat NYC.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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