Berkeley College Professor Melissa Baralt Wins Prospanica Latinx Educator of the Community Award
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Photo Caption: Melissa Baralt, PhD, received the Latinx Educator of the Community Award from Prospanica NY on December 4, 2024.
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Melissa Baralt, PhD, received the Latinx Educator of the Community Award from Prospanica NY on December 4, 2024. Dr. Baralt earned this honor due to her “significant contributions to empowering Latinx and Hispanic students through education, leadership, and community impact,” according to Prospanica. Baralt is a faculty member in the Division of General Education.
“This win is an ode to the sacrifice of my Dominican parents, who walked so that I could fly. Education is the key that will shift all paradigms and shape the future of minority students everywhere,” said Baralt. Baralt embodies many of the Prospanica values, as she “embodies excellence in teaching, fosters a culture of learning and inclusion, and inspires future Latinx leaders.”
Baralt is the founder of the nonprofits SheCaucus and Bee Better Than Me, LLC. She serves on several committees, including the Paterson Education Fund, Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE), and Paterson’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee. Baralt earned her PhD in Pathology and Immunology from Rutgers University.
"It is a true pleasure to see Dr. Melissa Baralt, my friend and colleague, honored with the Latinx Educator of the Year award,” lauded Byron Hargrove, PhD, Director of the Division of General Education. “For over 12 years, I have witnessed Dr. Baralt leverage her platform as an educator to empower numerous communities and organizations. Dr. Baralt consistently demonstrates her life's purpose with enthusiasm, boldness, and dedication. She is a devoted advocate for the Latinx community, a passionate educator, and a champion for the underserved, overlooked, and misunderstood. We are fortunate to have her as one of our esteemed science professors at Berkeley College. She is more than just a professor; she is a community change agent."
Berkeley College proudly congratulates Dr. Baralt on earning this prestigious award and commends her dedication to her students and her community.
Interested in learning more about what Berkeley College’s esteemed faculty can offer you as a student? Visit https://berkeleycollege.edu/about/index.html for further 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 New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 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 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success.
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