Double the Berkeley College Pride for Graduating Twins
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Senior Associate, Media Relations
973-200-1048
Chanel-Donaldso@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: Tyesha (left) and Myesha (right) Wilson of the Bronx, NY, twins who graduated from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Management and a Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice are photographed outside of MetLife Stadium, where Berkeley College held an in-person Commencement ceremony, on May 27, 2021.
Myesha and Tyesha Wilson of the Bronx, NY, have gone to school together their whole lives. Now, the fraternal twins are graduating from Berkeley College this month – Myesha with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Tyesha with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Management.
While the sisters were accustomed to being together in grade school, they did not initially plan to go to college together. “I wanted to go to trade school. She wanted to go to college,” said Tyesha, who originally intended to pursue a career in either the culinary or cosmetology field following high school.
However, after visiting Berkeley College’s Midtown Manhattan campus with Myesha, who had already been admitted, Tyesha said she fell in love with Berkeley and decided to enroll, too.
A little more than 4 years later, the pair is ready to walk across the Commencement stage at Berkeley College’s in-person ceremony on May 27, 2021, at MetLife Stadium.
“Commencement is a huge milestone for us. Growing up we were told by our mom, grandma, and other family members that they wanted us to go for our dreams and never let anything stand in our way. (Making it to) Commencement is an accomplishment for our whole family,” said Myesha.
A Future That’s Twice as Bright
Tyesha says that attending Berkeley College instead of a post-secondary training program was a good decision because it prepared her for future aspirations as an entrepreneur.
“When they told me I could study business management at Berkeley College, I was excited because I’ve always wanted to run my own business. Since I was about 13 years old that’s been my goal,” said Tyesha.
Tyesha sees herself as the owner of an innovative venue space that includes catering, hair services and childcare, offering an affordable and simplified experience for customers. She intends to continue her studies by pursuing a Master’s degree in accounting. The soon-to-be mom also excitedly awaits the birth of her child, a boy, who is due in mid-May.
Photo Caption: (Left) Myesha Wilson of the Bronx, NY, who is graduating from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice in May 2021, is photographed at the Berkeley College New York City campus in Midtown Manhattan on April 29, 2021. Her twin sister (right) Tyesha Wilson, also of the Bronx, NY, is graduating from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Management at the same time.
While the sisters are following different career paths, the passion each has for her respective field is palpable.
Myesha knew she wanted to work in the criminal justice field at an early age. “I want to be the one to give a voice to people who can’t speak up for themselves,” said Myesha. “Finding justice for families is my biggest goal.”
Once she discovered the television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at age12, Myesha decided to be a special victim’s detective. She said her next step is to apply to enter the New York City Police Academy for the required NYPD training. Myesha also intends to continue her education, earning a Master’s degree in forensic science.
Resilience through Challenging Circumstances
The journey to the graduation stage has not been easy for the twins since Myesha and Tyesha completed their final courses remotely during a pandemic.
The pair also overcame personal obstacles in pursuing their degrees. Most notably, Myesha was involved in a bus accident that injured her spine in 2018 during her sophomore year. Subsequent bus and car collisions exacerbated her spinal injury and also affected her vision.
“I was on the verge of dropping out because I was always in pain. I couldn’t get up and get to school,” said Myesha.
She acknowledged her professors, academic advisor, personal counseling staff and even Berkeley College security officers for accommodating her physical limitations and encouraging her to continue with her studies.
“At first, I was embarrassed (to come to class),” said Myesha, who had trouble taking notes and remaining seated for extended periods. “But everyone made me feel comfortable and helped me when I had to get my work done.”
Supportive Sisters
Myesha and Tyesha have a close bond and rely on one another for inspiration. “We see each other’s success,” said Tyesha. “We support each other and we push each other to achieve our goals,” added Myesha.
Photo Caption: Myesha (left) and Tyesha (right) Wilson of the Bronx, NY, twins who are graduating from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Business Administration – Management in May 2021, respectively, are photographed nearby the Berkeley College New York City campus in Midtown Manhattan on April 29, 2021.
When Myesha considered leaving school after her spinal injury, Tyesha was her sister’s main source of motivation for continuing with her degree program.
“Tyesha was pushing me, saying, ‘No, you can’t stop. Just because the doctor says you can’t, doesn’t mean you can’t. You can keep going, you can try harder. You can. You can,’” recalled Myesha.
The two are more than just sisters, they are also best friends. With their college education behind them, Myesha and Tyesha will continue to cheer each other on in the next stages of life.
Berkeley College celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021. The theme commemorating this milestone is “Empowering Lives for 90 Years!” Visit the 90th Anniversary webpage for more information.
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 also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,900 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 eight 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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To view high-resolution versions of the above photos, visit:
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