It is my pleasure to introduce you to Carlo Cervantes, Director of Student Services for the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC). Carlos has brought many good ideas and leadership practices to the department, and we are fortunate to have him on staff.
There are some people that we meet at work that make us better co-workers, and Carlos is one of those individuals. In an interview with Carlos, I asked the following questions to get a snapshot of who he is and what he can tell us about himself.
What do you teach? Or what is your position at SEOC?
I’m the director of student services at the SEOC. This department is responsible for student advising, admissions, enrollment, records, and a variety of other tasks that support student completions and institutional outcomes.
How long have you worked at SEOC?
I joined the SEOC in March of 2016 while transitioning from a 28-year career in the US Army. I’m entering my sixth year and I must admit that the time has just zipped by.
Why do you like working at the SEOC?
I tell people nothing is more rewarding to me than meeting someone on their graduation day. Sometimes it’s our larger event at the SRC Arena and sometimes it’s just speaking with someone who is ready to celebrate the completion of one of the shorter vocational programs we offer. In both cases these students exude pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment, and I am just pleased to be around them during those moments. It feeds my soul. These episodes are precisely why I chose to work here after my military career. It satisfies my need to continue to serve.
Who or what influenced you to work in the field of education?
Originally, I had intended on teaching high school in an urban district. I’m from Los Angeles and I’m a product of the Los Angeles Unified School District and I felt the best way I could continue to serve and contribute was to join an urban school district where my minority status and life experiences may prove helpful to the students in one of those high schools. I abandoned that idea when I learned I had to earn another master’s degree to teach in New York State. So, joining Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center allowed me to at least get into the space where I can still serve that population, only that they are adult learners and not high school students.
What is your favorite book? Why? Is there a value to the book’s plot/message that you would like to share?
I have many favorite books, but I think my new favorite book is called The Daughters of Kobani, by Gale Tzemach Lemmon. It’s about a group of Kurdish women fighters who defeated ISIS fighters in and around Northern Syria, adjacent to the Turkish border. I am so impressed by their courage and will to win. It really is a great example of an oppressed group standing up and defeating their oppressors. I have strong sympathy for Kurdish people already, but these women fighters are simply amazing. We can all learn something from their bravery and pursuit of justice.
What do you want SEOC students to know about you?
I want them to know that I’m their advocate. I want them to know that when they enter this building, there is no judgement concerning their past. I want them to know that I expect them to put on their learning hat and get to work to achieve their goals. I want them to know that everyone who works here is their advocate and we are motived in their interest. I want them to know that they are liberated to be their best here and that I, and everyone here, will do all we can to get them on, and keep them on path. I also want them to know that the path is not an easy path, and they must be vested in their own success, but that we will do all we can to facilitate and enable their success.
What’s the best advice you give your students to encourage them to persist?
As stated above, they are not on an easy path, but they are on a worthwhile path. The best advice I give our students and any young person preparing to advance in the professional world is to behave every day as if they are on a job interview. I tell them that if they behave every day as if they are on a job interview, they will always present their very best in every interaction they are involved in. I explain to them that they never know when they may meet their next boss, so treat every person as if they may be their next boss.
Do you have a “best practice” that you incorporate into your practice? If so, please elaborate.
My best practice is to imagine each student and potential student as a hot iron ready to be forged; “strike when the iron is hot” so to say. When someone enters our building or enrolls into our classes, those are major steps towards their advancement. Some had to arrange childcare, take public transportation, or make other sacrifices to enter our building. Allowing them to leave without achieving their goal is like allowing high quality steel to cool without forming a nice piece of art. Let’s strike when the iron is hot!
What are your doing to improve your professional development?
I don’t do idle very well, so after abandoning my goal of teaching high school I decided that I still needed another achievement, so I enrolled into the inaugural cohort of Le Moyne College’s Doctorate in Executive Leadership Program. I am entering my third year of the four-year program and I am studying the factors that influence a high school student’s decision to either enroll in college or pursue a skilled trades career. We all know of late that there is a high demand for skilled workers, yet the pipeline is proving to be inadequate to meet that demand. I’m hoping my research helps reveals those influences that may be impacting this phenomenon. Potentially, this data may highlight information that helps mitigate the labor shortage and develop a skilled workforce. Win-win!
Additional comments?
The SEOC is composed of exceptional faculty and staff who are motivated by the right reasons. Our outcomes improve lives and the community, and I am in constant pursuit of enabling those outcomes and indirectly feeding my soul.
I love what we do as an institution, and I endeavor to reach as many people as I can to allow them to take advantage of our offerings. We are a variable in improving someone’s life and that’s pleasing.
