90 Years Strong: The Monroe College Story

Shana Kay Watson-Robinson is a two-time graduate of Monroe College. Graduating with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Management in 2005 and 2008 respectively. At the inception of her Monroe College journey in 2004, Shana Kay immediately started volunteering in the International Department. She developed a love for admissions and student services and she never looked back! She stayed at Monroe College until 2017 and worked in various departments all focusing on varying levels of admissions, enrollment and retention. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Multuicultural Outreach at Quinnipiac University in Hamden CT where she primarily recruits the five boroughs of NYC and is in charge of DEI initiatives. She wasn’t always focused on NYC as she spent several years recruiting the Caribbean, specifically Jamaica, from which she is a native; and international student to Monroe College. She took her experience to other universities and continued with international recruiting where she traveled to territories in Africa and Europe. Known for her attention to detail strong interpersonal skills and exceptional people skills, she is dedicated to providing personalized guidance to prospective students and their families, helping them navigate the admissions journey with confidence. Shana Kay is a lifelong learner – She returned to Monroe College during the pandemic to formalize her skills in Culinary Arts as she runs a private catering company when she is not working her 9-5. She would attend no other institution as she was at Monroe College when the famous Culinary Institute was birthed. She is currently exploring other educational pursuits. Working on a second Master’s in Organizational Leadership, at Quinnipiac University; as well as prepping for the LSAT. Shana Kay’s dream was to be an attorney from a very young age. Even though life has had many twists and turns, she still plans to pursue this dream to be fully self-actualized! Outside of work, Shana Kay enjoys volunteering in the local community, cooking and entertaining, and spending time with family and friends, especially her two daughters. With a genuine passion for higher education and a commitment to serving students, shana Kay is looking forward to continuing to empower and help the underserved and to continued future successes, both personally and professionally

Daniel Forbes has over 20 years' experience in both business and higher education and currently is employed at the City Colleges of Chicago as an adjunct Professor of Business, Management, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Information Systems. He is also an Entrepreneur and business consultant. In addition, Mr. Forbes is a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, executive coach and provides mentorship to various youth and adult groups. Mr. Forbes is happily married for over 27 years to his wife Gail and together they have 3 beautiful children. The Forbes family is serving members at Bellevue Baptist Church where Mr. Forbes currently serves as the Sunday School Superintendent.

Joeane Laurent currently serves as the Director of Residence Life at Monroe College, where she earned her undergraduate degree. With a diverse background, she has held positions as an academic advisor, coordinator of Student Activities on the Bronx Campus, and Director of International Student Services on the New Rochelle campus. Joeane is passionate about working with her students, deriving joy from guiding them to discover their true potential.

Alumni Director at Monroe College’s New Rochelle campus

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations - Monroe College