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Monique Bonet Patino

1,835

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

The responsibility of being the first in my family to go to college and pursue a career makes me look at education differently. Education is an opportunity; I am committed to not squandering it.

Education

SUNY at Albany

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - Present
  • Majors:
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other
  • Minors:
    • Child Development

The Art Institutes

Associate's degree program
1986 - 1988
  • Majors:
    • Culinary Arts/Chef Training

SUNY Empire State College

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
- 2026
  • Majors:
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
  • Minors:
    • Psychology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Individual & Family Services

    • Dream career goals:

      Company founder in non profit focused in child food insecurity

    • Director of Community Services, Director of Food Services

      Life Path
      2011 – 20176 years
    • Food Director, Chef, Administrator, Safety Coordinator

      Brighter Choice Charter Schools
      2012 – 20186 years
    • Senior Manager, Manager of food safety, Diversity Trainer

      Varied
      1983 – 201835 years

    Arts

    • orchestra

      Music
      various
      1978 – 2000

    Public services

    • Public Service (Politics)

      Emergency Preparedness Committee — Presenter and liason
      2015 – 2016
    • Volunteering

      American Red Cross — volunteer
      2015 – Present
    • Advocacy

      AmeriCorps — Consumer advocate
      2002 – 2004
    • Volunteering

      Senior Services of Albany — Director
      2013 – 2017

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Arthur and Elana Panos Scholarship
    Winner
    I was raised Catholic by devout parents. Both of my parents worked hard to keep our family afloat, but the church was one of the most integral parts of our week. Both my parents were immigrants and moved to the United States to give me an opportunity they didn't think I could get in South America. Growing up, I can not remember when God was not present in my life. While I was never forced to pray, it was something that I did naturally. I once had a nun in school tell me that God was to thank me when things were good and ask for help when things were not. I took that to heart and have kept that thought in my head when I pray daily. God has been especially my salvation in the last eight years of my life. I have had 11 brain surgeries and a stroke on the table in my last one. When I thought that I would not recover, I asked God to help me with things that should have been simple. I was prepared to accept a slight recovery. Instead, I got a new life. While my life changed, I lost my job; I had to go on disability; there is not one day that I do not thank God and understand that I have a purpose. Coming back to school so I can get a degree, and help children, is the reason God kept me alive. I pray that I can help so many more unfortunate than I.