Plaza College Alumni Association Elects First Alumni Board and Officers

By Rebecca Morris

How is success measured? With recognition? With persistence? Either way, Plaza College has been the epitome of success since 1916, but recently, the Plaza College Alumni Association Alumni elected the College’s first Alumni Board and Officers. This is significant to Plaza, as it will give alumni the opportunity to stay connected to the College through a variety of activities and programming designed for them specifically. The Plaza College Alumni Association is led by Professor Jonathan Howle, Director of Alumni Relations.

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, The Callahan family most generously sponsored a breakfast in the beautiful BBA center. At this event, officers were elected and committee chairs were appointed. They will serve until October 2013. Those elected are as follows:

2012-2013 Plaza College Alumni Association Officers and Board:
President: Elizabeth Rodriguez
Vice-President: Candace Nixon
Secretary: Litishia Conley
Social Committee Chair: Caridad Moya Alazzam
Service Committee Chair: Marlen "Mabel" Hunter-Montilla
Membership Committee Chair: Takoya Chestnut
Mentor Committee Chair: Richard Melara
Scholarship Committee Chair: Nancy Maldonado
Other Members of the Alumni Board: Miriam Velez, Cynthia Davis, Neha Patel, Iulia Vlase, Yolanda Caro, Segundo Sumido, Vaila Salina, Ferdousi Mahajan, Sabrina Green, Carol Branigan, and Gail Aiken. Dean Marianne Zipf (Advisor).

The Association also selected an official logo for the Alumni Association, designed by Steven Zipf, son of Dean Marianne Zipf. Moreover, they planned several upcoming professional development workshops for alumni, the purpose of which is to give alumni opportunities to polish and enrich computer and coding skills they developed while students at Plaza College.  

Then, in February, the Alumni Association held a “Valentine’s Raffle-Amazing Giveaway.”  The basket contained incredible prizes, including a 7-Day unlimited metro card, a $100.00 gift card to AGED Steakhouse in Forest Hills, a beautiful photo album, and delicious candy. The Alumni is deeply appreciative to those who supported this event, during which over $300 was raised. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the first scholarship given by the Alumni Association to a student who will graduate in 2013.

I had the pleasure of conversing with the President of the Plaza College Alumni Association, Ms. Elizabeth Rodriquez.

RM: What is the Plaza College Alumni Association to you? What does it stand for?

ER: The Alumni Association is a way of not losing touch with Plaza College, a place that I have considered home for the past 3 to 4 years. The memories that I have, and the friendships I have made keep me open-minded. It is simply networking at its best.

RM: What are the possibilities for students and faculty through the Association?

ER: The possibilities vary because the alumni represent stability and commitment for students. It is a perfect example of dedication to education. The faculty can definitely benefit from this as they witness their students go out into the real world, the work place, come back and update them with the most efficient  medical, technology, and business information to keep Plaza at the top. I’m sure it is self-gratifying for staff members to see their students succeed. The Alumni Association gathers all of those benefits into one.

RM: Can you describe the breakfast at the BBA lounge?

ER: I wasn’t surprised by the number of people who came out. It really showed the heart and soul of Plaza. We’re a family and enjoyed ourselves with the great breakfast, and the new faces, and ideas introduced. We were all in agreement, and Professor Howle’s vision was deep within us all. He saw that this would be a great opportunity to make Plaza College international and be involved with the community; it’s commendable. I also had the chance to meet up with people that I have not seen in about two years. Being able to see the people that I sat in class with, and walk the stage with come back and pay homage to the place that is a fundamental reason to their success now was beautiful.

RM: What made you to run for a position in the Alumni?

ER: You know, that’s the funny part. It never ran through my mind. I had no intention on running, I only went to support but that’s the funny thing about Plaza. You end up in a place you thought you would never be in. It is such an honor.”

RM: As president, what do you see in the near future for the Alumni?

ER: Actually, we had a meeting, and a lot of great ideas were laid on the table. We definitely want to do a Health Week, where the mobile van insurance comes. It’s funny because everyone knows how easy it is to get insurance, yet a lot of people do not have it. Insurance is important to have. I also want to do the Scholarship Fund and hope to be able to give away a $3000 scholarship by 2013. I’m hopeful; I don’t see why we can’t do it. I also want to be able to have students who have graduated from 5 years back to come and speak to the current students. Just to let them know where they are and give them a dose of reality.

RM: In February, the Association held a “Valentine’s Raffle-Amazing Giveaway;” what are your feelings on it?

ER: Wow, the Valentines Raffle is the Alumni’s first baby. We got it all done in under a week and raised over $300. We literally shopped and got everything we needed in 2 days. This event is important because it is really geared toward the Scholarship Fund.

RM: Is there anything else you would like to say?

ER: Plaza College has a message. I have seen students come and go. I’ve been to two graduations, and have sat in almost every classroom. The people at Plaza College, these teachers, these students, really really want to advance, educate, be educated, and have a future. It is just phenomenal. It’s what’s real. The students, the staff … they all make Plaza special.