2020 Alumni Achievement Runner Up Bios

Etosha Dawson

While attending CW Etosha was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and she earned several awards during her time at CW including a scholarship from The College of Westchester Charitable Foundation. She was also president of several clubs and maintained a high GPA. In 2014 she graduated with an Associate’s degree in Medical Assistant Management, with a distinguished honor of Cum Laude. After graduating from CW Etosha went on to finish her bachelor’s degree from FIU in Biology with honors.

Etosha worked in several health care organizations and has held positions as both a clinical supervisor and medical office manager within organizations such as NYU, UMass memorial and several private practices. With both degrees and her skills as a medical assistant, she is currently the Practice Manager for Medicine Multi-Specialty at Mount Sinai Morningside.

Outside of work, Etosha has travelled to various countries. She has recently joined NYAGV in hopes to advocate for better gun control laws. Etosha is also working towards a Master’s degree in Global Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. She attributes much of her success at CW to all her professors, including Dr. Wright, and many more!

Garwayne McGregor

Attending The College of Westchester has proven to be one of the best decisions that Garwayne has ever made. Throughout his time at CW, Garwayne had the pleasure of interacting with a lot of knowledgeable and friendly individuals with whom he is still in contact with today. It was no mistake that Garwayne was offered a full-time position at the Public Accounting Firm at which he was an intern during his last semester at CW. It has been proven that CW has given Garwayne all the skills that are required to become a great Accountant.

Since Garwayne has graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, he has had the pleasure of working with key individuals across different industries who have all been amazed at the vigor of each CW graduate that they have encountered. The CEO at his first official place of employment was astonished by Garwayne’s professionalism and his ability to handle each task effortlessly. After being employed with his firm for a short period of time he saw it fit to obtain new business and expand the services that were being offered to include completing 501(c)(3) applications as a new item. Added to the list of Garwayne’s responsibility was preparing these applications.

Garwayne’s next venture led him to a company that does not have one but four CW alumni who have all excelled in their respective fields of study. These alumni have paved a way for all future CW graduates who will be lucky enough to be chosen to work for this company. After being awarded the job of Junior Accountant, Garwayne was told by the Human Resources Manager that "she has never been displeased with any of the candidates that she had interviewed and hired from The College of Westchester". After hearing this, Garwayne was inspired to push himself even harder than before. Garwayne made it his responsibility to learn as much as he could about the company and the way that they conducted business.

After being hired for only four months, Garwayne was given the responsibility of payroll; prior to that Garwayne was handling accounts receivable and accounts payable.

Michelle Remarais

Earning her Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration from CW in 2016 was just the beginning of a beautiful career for Michelle. She is grateful that she attended a school where teachers, administrators, security officers and just everyone’s goal is to make sure you are ready to face the world when you graduate.

Michelle has been working for Rockland County as a Welfare Examiner for almost a year. Prior to that she was an Office Manager for Allstate in Suffern, NY. She will be taking her next county exam in a few weeks for the “Personal and Employee Relations” position at Rockland County. Michelle also plans to start her master’s program in September, since her second child will be three and ready to start school.

Michelle is also a volunteer youth mentor and a teacher at the French Speaking Baptist Church. In January 2019, she purchased her first house. She is grateful for it all. Michelle thanks God for guiding her to the right path in life, for putting the right mentors and teachers by her side in school. In Michelle’s words, “You never know the difference the school you attend will impact your life until you face the world. Thank you CW!”

Desiree Scretching

Desiree graduated from CW in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was terrified. CW, however, prepared her for the next steps that she wanted to take in life. Professor Ruta recommended she explore the Information Sciences field through the iSchool Inclusion Institute. Desiree obtained her recommendation letters, and thanks to the great professors and administration at CW, Desiree was accepted into this prestigious program. She learned about research, technology, and what it was like to truly be challenged.

Desiree found her passion, thanks to CW and the faculty. She was able to obtain a nice job and earn a good living using her degree. Desiree can proudly call herself a Venue Coordinator and a published researcher. Her life hasn't stopped there, Desiree is now a Ph.D. candidate. She thanks Professor Ruta and Ms. Williams for their letters of recommendations. Without them she wouldn't have been accepted into Syracuse University's Ph.D. program, which is in her top three choices!

Desiree achieved great things in her life because she attended CW. She has always loved school, but this school made a significant difference in her life.

Elida Loci

Elida graduated from The College of Westchester in February 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She became a member of Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society and graduated with Cum Laude honors. Elida also holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and became a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and she graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.

Elida was a member of the IMA Accounting Honor Society as well as part of the Enactus team. Even though her focus was accounting, her ultimate goal is law. With the help of career services, Elida was able to obtain a position at the Greenburg Town Court, where she is currently employed. First, she was working in the Vehicle & Traffic Department and within a year, Elida moved to the Criminal Department, where she currently handles court files and prepares all necessary paperwork for the town judges. Working at the court, has given her the opportunity to get involved with a new program run by the local police department called Youth Court. At Youth Court, middle school and high school students learn the roles of the parties involved in the court system and become familiarized with the court system and how it operates. At the end of their training they will handle a real case. Elida has also been a volunteer since 2014 with Operation Prom, an organization that gives prom dresses at no cost to high school seniors who cannot afford them. She is preparing to start Law School this fall. Career Services is helping her prepare for her new journey. As an alumni, she is still provided the resources from the college to further her success. The College of Westchester taught Elida how to prepare for her future and to never give up.

Griselda Licea Gutiérrez

Griselda feels like she has distinguished herself in her career after graduating in 2016 with a degree in Accounting. She loves accounting and attending CW has helped her a lot. The professors were a very big part as they helped Griselda when she needed it, which was amazing. Learning accounting has helped Griselda in her current job as her duties include payroll and billing. She is grateful she was taught well. Griselda does her own taxes and her parents’ and some of her family members too. Accounting was something she always wanted to learn and her professors taught her well.

Griselda says, “The College of Westchester is an amazing school and everyone is amazing. They care about you so much which is something great to have in a college. The professors and staff are very friendly; they make you feel like a family.” Griselda recommends CW to all her friends and family; she especially loves how focused the curriculum is on each major. Griselda is very happy that she came to CW and had a great college experience.