Commencement 2017 profile: Antonia Duran

Antonia Duran learned several valuable lessons from Binghamton University’s Educational Opportunity Program.

“I wasn’t as serious of a student before coming to Binghamton,” she said. “But EOP showed me the importance of having an education, the importance of doing well in school and the importance of having goals.”

They are lessons that Duran has tried to impart to other students, whether as a peer counselor for EOP’s Binghamton Enrichment Program, a resident assistant at Hinman College or a student leader in the Decker School of Nursing.

“I remember how lost I was and much guidance I needed,” the 23-year-old said. “When I receive help, I want to give something back.”

Duran, a first-generation college student from Manhattan who will graduate this month with a nursing degree, chose Binghamton University because of Decker’s reputation and wanting an experience away from home.

Health and wellness has always been a part of Duran’s life: Her mother was a nurse in the Dominican Republic before becoming a nursing aide at a senior center when she moved to the United States. Duran volunteered at the senior center as a teenager.

“I knew that I always wanted to be in the medical field,” she said. “I thought nursing would be the best option.”

Being a part of Decker’s tight-knit community proved beneficial for Duran.

“You get to know a lot of your faculty on a one-to-one basis,” she said. “You’re not just a name in a big lecture. I was one of those students who would always go to office hours so (faculty) could get familiar with me.”

Duran was also a student willing to take a chance. As sophomores, Duran and classmate Melissa Mendoza listened to a Decker alumni panel lecture in which a former support group for students of color was mentioned. Thanks to the work of Duran and Mendoza, the Mary Mahoney Nursing Support Group would soon be active again, offering study sessions, faculty research discussions and talks about graduate school.

“It’s a good resource for nursing students,” said Duran, who served as president of the group during the 2015-16 academic year. “Alumni were so supportive. They heard we were trying to bring the group back and offered to help in any way possible. They’re still in contact with us about starting scholarships and book funds.”

Duran has worked at New York Presbyterian Hospital as an emergency room student volunteer and at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City as a student nurse. She also has had clinical experience through Decker at UHS Wilson Medical Center’s telemetry unit in Johnson City.

“Nursing is a selfless profession,” she said. “You take care of five to six patients who depend on you for almost everything. I’ve learned that it’s good to take some time for yourself and take care of yourself.”

Duran didn’t have that luxury when she attended EOP’s Binghamton Enrichment Program, which she recalled with a laugh as “like an academic boot camp.” The month-long program provides EOP students with academic development and an orientation to campus.

The program’s peer counselors, in particular, made such an impact on Duran that she decided to become one herself.

“Everyone who served as a (peer counselor) helped me progress,” she said. “So I wanted to do the same thing: help people get direction in college. It’s a difficult time. You are trying to figure yourself out while also trying to determine what to do with the rest of your life. Not everyone has the same support system back home.”

Duran said she still has friendships with the younger students she assisted in the program.

“They see me as a role model and tell me that they are proud of me,” she said with a smile.

EOP’s influence continued, Duran said, thanks to academic counselors such as now-retired Westley Van Dunk and Josué Quinones.

Quinones called Duran “a role model for her peers and an inspiration to other young women of color.”

“In her time here, Antonia has shared her non-judgmental and giving spirit with all those around her,” he said. “Antonia began as a rather quiet and observant young woman and soon flourished into a radiant student leader.

“She simply aims to do good and has always put care into everything she does,” he added. “I believe this explains why she has excelled in her leadership roles and as a student at Binghamton. I have no doubt that she will continue to flourish as she enters the next chapters of life beyond Binghamton and will impact the lives of those she encounters.”

After graduation, Duran said she plans to interview for nursing positions around New York City. She would like to gain clinical experience and then pursue cardiac or community health.

“I would like to educate my community on certain diseases and treatments,” she said. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t know about their health or the medications they take.”

As her Binghamton journey nears its conclusion, Duran admitted that she’s feeling a variety of emotions: happiness, sadness, excitement, nervousness.

“There were nights when I had no sleep after going to clinicals,” she said. “It was hard. But I know when I walk across that stage, it will all be worth it when I see my family smiling, crying and screaming – and they will be screaming.”