Employees of the Month Samantha Sierra

Samantha Sierra

Health Sciences and STEM Academy

In 1991, once my children started school, I began working as a college assistant in HELM and then Freshman Year Experience, and ended up in what was called Evening Studies. Everyone was terrific: witty, hard-working, student-focused and always exhorting me to go back to school.  After much pressuring, I did and luckily was able to come back to Kingsborough as a non-teaching adjunct in the evenings. 

When I had just finished my master’s, the incredible opportunity to teach in the English Department was offered to me, and I became an adjunct lecturer, eventually getting a full-time sub-line for two years.  Then my son got quite ill and I needed serious health insurance and a secure full-time job, and once again Kingsborough played a positive part in my life. The chance to advise and teach for Opening Doors Learning Communities opened, and eventually I became the director of that program.  

I tell you all this because of the role Kingsborough has performed in the course of my lifetime and still does.  Stepping in just when I needed her and connecting me to a world that allowed me to discover what I love most – helping and working with others, and our students.  All along the way, and even now as director of Health Sciences & STEM Academy and Learning Communities, I have been surrounded by the most amazing people. Wonderful, smart, talented, caring, funny human beings who love the same things I do: helping others, our astonishing students, as well as being there for each other.  

This is Kingsborough to me and being acknowledged by them as Employee of the Month, and by my remarkable team, is just the topping on the cake.  

Congratulations Samantha, we think you are the topping on the cake too!