The Office of Admission is lucky to work with a fantastic group of student ambassadors every year! From social media projects to assisting with daily phone calls and student inquiries in the office, our ambassadors are always working on something new. As this year comes to a close, we took time to talk to each of them to reflect on their individual experiences at TC and chat about their plans for the future. 

Owen Vadala:  “I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education in the fall, where I will pursue an M.S.Ed. in Education Policy on a part-time basis. I’m also working this summer in two part-time roles as a proposal and research assistant at the Community College Research Center and as a student ambassador within the Teachers College Office of Admission.”

“Overall, I had a very positive experience at TC, despite my accelerated program length. I came to TC with very specific goals that I wanted to accomplish within 10 months, and I am happy to say that I accomplished everything I wanted to do! TC had the resources, support systems, and professors that allowed me to achieve my goals in such a limited time frame.”

Maggie Barilka: “I will be pursuing my clinical fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Health in Madison, WI. I will be working in adult acute care providing swallowing and communication evaluations and therapy.”

“I have absolutely loved my time here at TC. Not only have I learned so much from the amazing faculty and clinic staff, but I was also constantly challenged to think deeply by my amazing classmates. I can’t wait to take these skills to Madison WI to work in my dream setting!”

Jelani Spencer-Joe: “Coming to TC challenged me in ways I never imagined! When I first decided to enroll, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into because I felt like a small fish in a big pond. Over the past two years, I’m very glad I chose TC because I was able to get tangible experience in my program due to the Community Language Program (CLP). 

I was also able to stretch my knowledge in terms of assessment, grammar, and pedagogy. I was lucky enough to gain new perspectives from my international cohort and expand my views of what it means to teach and be a teacher!”

“Despite graduating, I’ll still be working in the Office of Admission at TC! Based on the experiences of students in my cohort, I’d love to work directly with international students coming into American universities. I’d like to help them improve their English language skills while learning about the cultural differences between teaching in America and their home countries. I’d hope to help them feel more comfortable with the American teaching style before they have to teach in American institutions, whether that’s for children or adults.”

Jade Wong: “After graduating with my M.A. from the HPSE program here at TC, I will be starting as Program Coordinator for Residential Colleges at Vanderbilt University. After living away from home for 5 years, I am excited to start this next chapter back home in Nashville, TN!”

“I am very thankful for the community I have made here at TC, as my professors, classmates, Office of Admission team, and friends have all been a great part of my success and experience at Teachers College!”

Taylor Garlow: “I came to Teachers College fresh out of my undergraduate studies with the hopes of becoming not only a better future Dietitian but become a better, more well-rounded human in this world. At the bare minimum, that is exactly what happened! This institution has helped shape me into the professional and individual I am today and I leave feeling confident that I am better because of it.”

“With my time at TC coming to an end, my post-grad plans include finishing up the TC Dietetic Internship program this summer, taking the credential exam, and finally becoming a Registered Dietitian! After that, I’m hoping to get right into the field and start making a difference whether that is through private counseling, corporate nutrition, or working in an outpatient setting. No matter where I end up, I know I have an incredible community here at TC that will be here for me in any way I might need.”