Orientation Team
Prasamsha Pandey
Major: Economics & Mathematics
Hometown: Nepal
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: With the help of my friends who were new too! It was fun exploring and getting lost in buildings!
Prem Sitaula
Major: Economics
Hometown: Nepal
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: My first year at SJNY was full of different learnings and experiences. There were many moments I felt low, many moments I felt cherished, and many moments I grew in between them. I concluded my first year experience as a “roller coaster ride.” I think perseverance and discipline made the “ride” successful.
Smriti Karki
Major: Mathematics and Computer Science
Hometown: Birtamode, Jhapa, Nepal
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: First year of SJNY was a real adventure. It got easier because of the friendly professors and friends from all over the world. Participating in clubs and other activities made it easier to meet new people and get more familiar with the college.
Garima Lamsal
Major: Economics and Computer Science
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: With the help of clubs, First Year 101 Class, and attending lots of events.
Cecile Maxi
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: My first year at SJNY was a little different from the other freshmen I missed orientation, and was a bit lost and confused my first week as an international student. Some of things that helped me during my first year were the peers and events. One thing I learned is that you should never be afraid to ask for help. When you need advice, someone will always be happy to give you some, you just have to reach out.
Amber Haywood
Major: Biology
Hometown: Brooklyn
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: Joining different clubs and talking with my classmates outside of the classroom definitely helped me during my first year at St. Joe’s.
Joshua Gordon
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Brooklyn
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: I created a guideline of what I wanted to achieve throughout each semester.
Stephane Etienne
Major: Human Resources
Hometown: Okap, Haiti
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: As for my first year at St Joe, I found myself asking for lots of help, which was a big step up for me. For example, the security guards are amazing and for the first few weeks, they showed me where the classroom is. I also made connections with the seniors I met and asked them for advice, no matter what the issue was. Finally, I attended FYE during common hour once a week to help me with navigating Canvas and creating routine.
Rivujoya Hem
Major: Computer science
Hometown: Bangladesh
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: The staff at SJNY and the professors helped me navigate my path during my first year with deciding on my major and getting an opportunity to do an on campus job. I felt welcomed always which helped me adjust to a completely different environment.
Taylor Callahan
Major: Child Study- concentration in Speech
Hometown: Brooklyn
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: I began my path at SJNY after I transferred at the start of my sophomore year. I was rattled with nerves about starting a new school and making friends. Those nerves didn’t last long, as the small classes and community made it easy to connect with one another, ask for help when I needed it, and for my professors to get to know me. My first year advice is to talk with your classmates, introduce yourself to your professors, join clubs (one of the best things you could do), go to the academic center (even when you don’t think you need it), and speak with orientation leaders if you have any questions because they are there to be a resource to you! Those were some of the ways I navigated through my first year at SJNY, and I hope it helps you to navigate through yours!
Reece Ecton
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: In my first year, being the only person at SJNY from Kentucky (and skipping most of orientation), I initially felt isolated. At this small school, I realized, I had to start being more proactive about seeking out friends and groups that I could get along with. Through my first year at SJNY, I did learn that at this school and in this city, you have to make an effort to get what you want, whether that be a social or academic connection. Usually, what you are waiting for is also waiting for you.
Sean Henris
Major: Mathematics in Secondary Education
Hometown: Commack, NY
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: As soon as I arrived on campus my first year at SJNY, I felt immediately welcomed by all of the students and the staff. Throughout my first year, I used the Academic Advisement Center, I went to as many office hours as I could for the classes I was taking, and left some downtime just to hang out with friends.
LeQwan Wilson
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: I have navigated my path of my first year at SJNY by the help of my friend, attending events, and getting involved in a work-study program. I work as a student tour guide, so I have to work along with the admission office, which allow me to get to know the school a lot better. Get familiar your academic advisor. I felt getting to know the school and all that it has to offer to us was a major advantage for me throughout my first year. Setting reachable and manageable goals allowed me go day-by-day and pushing myself forward throughout the year. Lastly, I found having a balance between school and personal life is very important to navigate smoothly through my first year at SJNY.
Estefania Hernandez
Major: Computer science and criminal justice
Hometown: San Jose, California
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: I navigated my path my first year in SJNY by doing a lot of research and advocating for myself to be given the resources to answer my problems.
Emily Burroughs
Major: Biology Double
Hometown: San Diego, CA
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: I connected to people who have similar interests and courses as me so that I could always have a support system for help and encouragement! I also used as many of the school’s resources as possible, such as the Office of Career Preparation and Professional Development, Campus Ministry, and the Counseling and Wellness Center.
Audrey Cameron
Major: Marketing
Hometown: East Haddam, CT
How I navigated my path through my first year at SJNY: Last year I transferred to SJNY from a large university. During this first year, I realized that attending such a small school was one of the best things I could have done for myself. I was able to easily schedule meetings with the Financial Aid Office, Academic Center and have one on one calls with my advisor. The Financial Aid Office was amazing in helping me navigate ways to pay for college. Every staff member was able to effectively help me with any issues I had with adjusting to a new school. Something that helped me so much my first year as an out of state student was putting myself out there by exploring the city, attending club meetings and residence life events to meet new people. If I had not put myself out there, I would have never been able to find a work-study job, become president of a club or create lasting relationships with my fellow students and coworkers.