Binghamton University staff members visit local high school to share pathways to higher education

In late October, representatives from Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) visited students at Maine-Endwell High School (MEHS) who were interested in learning more about socially impactful careers and pathways into higher education.

Led by Assistant Dean Andrea Decker, the group included Christina Mack, director of recruitment and admissions; Bernard Fleming, director of admissions and student services; Sondis Taha, admissions and student services specialist; Shannon Verdon, Community Schools coordinator; and students Sydney Bokal, Naomi Smartwood and Kathleen Fitzmaurice. The group organized a series of mini-roundtable sessions, allowing students to explore various career options and ask questions to professionals in the field.

“The opportunity to engage with the University allows our students to consider staying in the area while receiving a top-notch, affordable education,” said Angela Ciaravino, MEHS school counselor. “Helping students see multiple pathways to attend Binghamton, if going there directly from high school isn’t possible, is also a great opportunity for our students.”

CCPA’s mission centers on preparing students for careers with social impact and developing leaders who shape communities, organizations and public systems. Outreach like this provides local students with opportunities to explore meaningful futures, discover their passions, and lay the groundwork for careers that positively impact the world. It also helps them understand how an education at Binghamton can help them achieve their goals—whether they want to stay local or work internationally.

School Mental Health Site Supervisor Shannon Verdon, also a CCPA graduate, credits the school for preparing her for her dream career.

“When I was in high school, I was never really good at science or math, and my grades weren’t great, but I knew I wanted to get into the helping profession and ultimately attend Binghamton,” said Verdon.

To reach that goal, she began her education at SUNY Broome Community College, completing prerequisite coursework before transferring to Binghamton.

“I was able to get that done in a year and a half, and then was able to attend Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs and get my bachelor’s degree in Human Development. It also saved me a lot of money in the process! I am thankful to be now working for Binghamton University through the Center for Community Schools and am currently in the process of getting my advanced certificate in community schools through Binghamton University,” she said.

One of the most significant advantages of partnerships between the University and local school districts is the ability to leverage the University’s resources. For students at Maine-Endwell, visits like these provide more than just information; they serve as a source of inspiration. Hearing advice from professionals who have taken similar paths helps students envision themselves in those roles, while also understanding that college and career trajectories rarely follow a straight line.

“Having a prestigious University right in our backyard is incredible, and yet so many local students don’t initially see it as an option. That’s why the partnership between Binghamton University’s Center for Community Schools and our local districts is so powerful,” said Decker. “By leveraging those relationships, we can meet students where they are, give them a jump start on their college search, and help them see that they can stay local, get a high-quality education and make a real impact.”