Sixty-First Commencement
Class of 2026
Kellisha McKenzie
Mental Health and Human Services major
When Kellisha McKenzie enrolled at Kingsborough Community College in 2021, she didn’t have a clear plan. “COVID had cut my high school experience short, and everything felt uncertain,” she said. “I just knew I wasn’t ready for a four-year school.” Reinstated after being academically dismissed, Kellisha decided she wasn’t going to waste this opportunity.
With the help of her advisor, Sarah Beck, Kellisha found support and purpose. “She helped me believe in myself again and slowly build back my confidence.”
She also helped Kellisha find a field she could connect with. “Ms. Beck asked me about my interests and what I saw myself doing. I vaguely mentioned psychology, and she introduced me to social work. We both agreed it seemed to align with what I wanted long term.”
Since Kingsborough doesn’t offer a major in psychology, Kellisha opted to switch her major from liberal arts to mental health and human services. That changed everything.
“Changing my major gave me a fresh start,” she said. “It made me feel motivated and helped me reconnect with school in a real way. I started taking school seriously and actually enjoyed my classes. Not just for the grades, but because I cared about what I was learning. I could see a future for myself in this field.”
That motivation showed in everything she did. Kellisha made the Dean’s List every semester. She volunteered as a crisis counselor; completed certifications in suicide prevention, mandated reporting and mental health first aid; and interned in a new campus program that rotated through the Wellness Center, the Women’s Center and Access-Ability Services. “That experience really expanded my palette. I learned a lot and met many different kinds of people. My internship group ended up becoming its own little community for me,” she recounted. “It also opened my eyes to all the hidden gems around campus that I hadn’t paid attention to before.”
An August 2025 graduate, Kellisha entered Hunter’s competitive Bachelor of Social Work program, with a concentration in care coordination. She plans to work in healthcare or insurance, helping adults manage services after major life events. “I want to make sure people actually get the help they need,” she said.
Gerontology instructor Brandy Barber also played a big role in helping shape the direction she decided to go in. “Her class got me interested in care coordination. She went out of her way to help me and other students, including outside of class. She gave us so much knowledge beyond just the textbook. She’s one of the most genuine professors I’ve ever had, and I love her for that.”
For Kellisha, who is the first in her immediate family to attend college, the achievement is deeply personal. “I have so many relatives back in Grenada who would kill for this opportunity,” she said. “I wanted to take full advantage of it, and I did. I kept that in mind the whole time.”
She credits Kingsborough for helping her turn her life around. “It’s more than just a community college. It’s a place full of people who care,” she said. “For me, it really did take a village. I had people who supported me, looked out for me, and helped me get back on track. Having that kind of community made my experience so much easier and more enjoyable. I don’t think I would’ve made it this far without it.”
She’s proud of how far she’s come. “It’s not just a comeback. It’s a full transformation,” she observed. “And I did it as myself — not who I thought I had to be. That means everything to me.”