A new alumni trustee has joined ƹƵ’s Board of Trustees. RCBC graduate Kershie Ambroise was sworn in at the college’s board meeting on Sept. 16.
Ambroise, originally from Haiti, emigrated to the United States in 2018 with her mother and two older sisters. She enrolled at RCBC first as a nursing student before switching to the 3+1 Health Studies program.
As a first-generation college student with English as a second language and an introverted personality, she found college new, unpredictable, and hard to navigate at times. However, once she got closer to her instructors and began utilizing student resources such as tutoring, she realized there were many opportunities out there that could enhance her higher education experience.
At first, she was too busy with school and work as a home health aide to get involved in extracurricular activities while at RCBC. After graduation, she finally had the time to participate in something and applied to be a trustee.
“I wanted to learn new stuff, because I love learning new things,” Ambroise said.
Ambroise was initially shocked to learn her peers had selected her to become the next alumni trustee because of her withdrawn personality. But the support gave her the willpower to continue.
“If I’m given something, I will do it,” she said.
Initially nervous at the meeting and unsure of what to expect, Ambroise is excited to present fresh perspectives to the board every month after being sworn in. She’ll have her experiences of being from another country, being a student, being someone who knows a lot about financial aid, and more.
Ultimately, she doesn’t have a goal for what she hopes to learn. Sitting on the board and listening in has helped her enough so far.
“It’s awesome to even just take an opportunity like that.”
