The graduate student from the speech-language pathology program says he’s been inspired by the generosity and give-back spirit of Brooklyn College alumni. As they prepare for the next stages of their lives, members of the Brooklyn College Class of 2019 share their thoughts on some of the most pertinent issues facing the world today. For more on this year’s commencement, visit our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use the #BCGrad2019 hashtag to join the conversation. Desmond L. Rivera is graduating with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. He currently lives in the Bronx but decided to make the trek out to Brooklyn for his graduate degree after hearing many great things about the program and comparing the tuition to that at other institutions. “I have a passion for helping others and giving back to society in any way that I can, and I feel that I have achieved that through my participation in various aspects of Brooklyn College,” he says. The future speech-language pathologist is an executive board member for the Graduate Speech and Hearing Organization at Brooklyn College, for which he assists in the planning, organization, and facilitation of events hosted by the department, and helps to ensure communication among the faculty and student body. Rivera is also a member of the National Student Speech-Language Association and works as a college assistant in the Division of Student Affairs. Rivera has been a recipient of the New York City Department of Education Graduate Student scholarship and the Diana Rogovin Davidow Scholarship, which is awarded by the speech department to incoming graduate students. “Brooklyn College has sparked my civic engagement by showing me the great number of alumni from my department that have returned to speak, teach, and even donate to the department,” he says. “To me, this speaks of the love and respect that the students had for the program and makes me want to give back just as much. It motivates me to do amazing things in my field and be a representative of the students that come out of the master’s program in speech-language pathology at Brooklyn College. “I have been so immensely happy with my decision to come here,” says Rivera. “I have met so many amazing people here who have truly made me feel like family and made my Brooklyn experience one that I will treasure forever.”
