Grandmother Earning First College Degree

Grandmother Earning First College Degree
at SUNY Rockland Community Colleg

Suffern, NY - A 66 year-old grandmother of five has found a new direction through the S.T.A.R.S. (Services to Adult Returning Students) program at SUNY Rockland Community College.

When Veronica Chiarito of New City retired with time on her hands, she decided it was time to pursue her lifelong dream of taking a college course in painting. Having retired as a producer/director with Warner Brothers after 48 years in the animation industry, she felt unsure how she would fare in the college environment.

"I graduated high school at the age of 16 at a time when only the boys in my family went to college. So I went straight to work for Terrytoons CBS in New Rochelle."

"When a friend heard that I wanted to go to RCC to take a painting class, she told me I should contact Terri Kaye Needle of the S.T.A.R.S. program because she worked with returning adult students and would know how to help me."

Needle, Chair of the S.T.A.R.S. board, suggested that aside from painting, Chiarito should also take the Life Skills class to help her acclimate to the student environment. Needle also told Chiarito that she was eligible to receive financial aid and pointed her toward the Financial Aid Office.

Chiarito still had other obstacles to face. "My fear was that I wouldn’t be accepted by the students. But in every class, there are a few students who come to me for advice, looking for a mother-figure. I’ve even become so friendly with one young student that she is taking an evening art class with me so we can continue to work together.

"When I attended my first English class, I was faced with learning how to write a documented essay, how to type and how to use a computer—all at the same time! In doing so, I found a whole new world of possibilities. My first essay was chosen to be published in last year's issue of the student magazine, Impulse.  Isn't that exciting?

"It took me fifty years to finally find the time to go on to higher education.  The decision to come to this campus and experience all it has to offer has proved to be one of the best decisions I've made in years." Chiarito's first two classes began in Fall'08. She has now earned 34 credits and is taking 19 credits this semester.

Returning adult students, or those considering becoming one, are invited to attend the weekly  S.T.A.R.S. support group, which meets on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in Academic I, Room 1116.

For more information about S.T.A.R.S., or to receive their current newsletter, which includes information on how to overcome math anxiety, contact Terri Kaye Needle, Professor/Counselor, Student Development Center, at tneedle@sunyrockland.edu and 845-574-4383.

Stay informed: sign up for RCC's free monthly e-newsletter of events by visiting www.sunyrockland.edu and clicking into the "Sign up for events newsletter" button on the lower right.

Suffern campus map: http://www.sunyrockland.edu/about/campus-guide/map

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.