Student affairs alumna finds career in mentoring students
For Angela (Yanowaik) Nocciolino, MS ’14, the Student Affairs Administration program in the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) prepared her for opportunities she never knew existed.
Today, the Binghamton native lives and works in New York City as an undergraduate advisement program manager at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business.
“Moving to New York City was the best thing I ever did. Never say no to your professional career. Take every professional opportunity that you can,” Nocciolino said.
She looks back on her path recognizing how non-linear it was. Still, she has no regrets.
“I used to want to be a dental hygienist, then a guidance counselor, and then that morphed into higher education. I am where I am today because of Binghamton,” she said. “I know that I am able to professionally reach wherever I want; I am not restricted.”
Growing up in the surrounding area, Nocciolino knew the University well. However, it wasn’t until she enrolled in CCPA that she was able to hone in on what she wanted in her professional career. She served as a graduate assistant in the Student Athlete Success Center, and said the skills she acquired there transferred seamlessly to her first job post-graduation when she was hired as an academic advisor in the Challenge to Achievement Program (CAP) at Pace. In that role, Nocciolino mentored academically struggling students to develop the skills necessary to succeed in college.
“The diversity classes I took at CCPA as well as the holistic counseling approach taught me to view all students I assist as individuals with their own needs,” she said.
Watching her students graduate from Pace is a proud moment.
“In the CAP program, I was their first contact and first advisor. It was a lot of work and a lot of follow up with each student,” Nocciolino said. “Seeing them graduate is so rewarding. Some of them had a tough time and seeing them graduate is really special.
“You don’t realize how much of an impact you’re making on a particular student. Getting that validation from them and seeing them flourish is wonderful,” Nocciolino added.
As Nocciolino reflected on her life, whether it has her walking around Central Park, doing yoga or enjoying the many restaurants of New York City with her husband, she never pictured herself where she is now. She’s very satisfied with her career, she said, but has some big goals in mind for the future. Because of CCPA, the sky’s the limit.