One such student is actress Pamela Parker-Rosenbaum, who will graduate in June. She has been accepted into the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at GSUC, one of 10 successful applicants from a pool of 325. Alicia Dorrego, a student who had worked for the United Nations, wrote about her experience as a member of the Ombudsman Panel for the UN's International Development Program. A former monk from Burma and head of the American Burma Buddhist Association, Ashin Intaka, is using his traditional Buddhist education as the basis for his portfolio, while the former owner and chief designer of a small couture company, Adele Schoenwandt, is drawing on her business experience for her portfolio and taking psychology courses at Brooklyn College. The academic integrity of the Program depends heavily on their responsibility for assuring that an area of concentration will prepare a student for masters-level work in the chosen discipline.
Mentors also contribute valuable suggestions for curricular changes.
Although it operates under the aegis of GSUC, the Program has its own governing body, the University Committee on the CUNY Baccalaureate Program. It is made up of six professors appointed by the Faculty Senate, five students appointed by the Student Senate, a member of the Council of Presidents, and, ex officio, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the President of the Graduate School. Our students have amazing stories to tell. Among those who particularly stand out is James Lewis. When I first met James, he was a student at LaGuardia Community College taking the first steps toward his dream of becoming a public school teacher.