Meet Antoinette Bethune
College Program Associate, New York City | abethune@yesscholars.org
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.” Shirley Chisholm
In her educational career, she attended St. John's Preparatory High School in which she graduated with honors and a regents diploma. She always had the dream to go away for college so she went to Marshall University located in Huntington, West Virginia. During this time she became fascinated with Criminal Justice Reform and Social Justice platforms for minorities across the country. Her internship consisted of being a Victim Advocate for West Virginia Cabell County Courthouse assisting with reporting information in regards to the legal process and resources such as shelter care, mental health treatment, and educational programs. In 2009, she graduated with honors and a Bachelors of Arts double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice in Legal Studies.
After graduation, she later moved back to New York City and fell in love with the high school students and wanted to be part of youth educational development. She volunteered her skills at the New York City Department of Probation in youth and family services, helping probation officers with career readiness workshops. She later was hired to be a Peer Specialist at The Child Center of New York/Jobnet program, which she obtained through Summer Youth Employment as a college graduate. During this time she became extremely captivated with how the environment played a role in decision making and the importance of youth voice. In 2011, she later enrolled in the Masters of Social Work program at the Silberman School of School Work at Hunter College and obtained her Masters of Social Work degree. In 2013, she was later promoted as an Employment Specialist/Vocational Counselor, providing students college access support and vocational services.
After being in the college access field for over eight years, she realized that every student she served did not have a college office to help them with post-secondary readiness and support while in college. She is moved to continue college awareness for students to achieve a higher level of success. The students who have supported her over the years motivated her to go back to college to create change, pathways in equity, and educational reform. Currently, she is a doctoral student at Molloy University studying education and social justice.
Antoinette believes that all students should have access to a higher education and to accomplish their dreams despite where they live or come from. The educational system should never hinder a student's dream from gaining access to their reality. She is a pioneer of change and hope. It is her honor and due diligence to create those spaces for students to inspire and be phenomenal.