CPE Alumni Profiles

“I am a junior at Virginia State University (VSU) majoring in Health and minoring in both Health Science and Community Health. Words cannot describe how much I’m enjoying my experience. Besides being a full-time student, I am a member of the on campus organization Betterment of Brothers and Sisters (BBS). Through my organization, I’ve had the opportunity to serve at homeless shelters, participate in campus clean-up days, lead tours on campus, and help new students become acclimated to VSU. One reason why I wanted to join BBS was because it reminded me so much of CPE and the huge emphasis it places on giving back.

CPE was an instrumental part of my growth, development and self-confidence. My fondest memory of being a CPE student would have to be the freshman retreat. I was able to learn more about the program, meet my SMC [Student-Mentor Coordinator] and get to know my class. Before retreat I was afraid to go to high school mainly because I didn’t know any other girls who were going to Seton, but after retreat I was able to build a cohort of other students who would be going to the same school as me!

In December, CPE hosted a mixer to kick off the Alumni Program. It was like a big reunion! I plan to be really involved with the new program and I hope that it can be a “CPE” for college students and adults. As alumni we should give back to CPE by reengaging, volunteering and one day becoming mentors.”

-Melissa Sanon, CPE Class of 2009, Virginia State University 2013

“I’ve known for a long time I wanted to be a physical therapist. My mom had a stroke and went to physical therapy. I was five when it happened. I remember going with her to physical therapy. I remember her getting better. I remember walking with her. Her physical therapist was tremendous. She incorporated me into the sessions. Now my mom is driving. To look at her you could never tell she had a stroke. Now I’m getting my doctorate in physical therapy. I knew I had wanted to go to college but I needed a little motivation that I could do it. CPE helped me build the confidence that I could move away from home and continue to be successful.

The best part of CPE for me was the mentorship. When you have someone else outside your family who becomes like your family in the support they give you, it really helps. My mentor and I got along well and did a lot together. She gave me advice regarding career goals and path and where I wanted to be. She had really good insights. She was like a mentor/mom. I carried the mentorship with Carol through my sophomore year in college and we’re still in touch from time to time.

CPE also had a lot of motivational speakers who talked about why college is important and how to figure out where to go. Another strong point was the job fair. I remember meeting a physical therapist there. I was pretty sure at that point I wanted to pursue physical therapy, but you always have questions, and meeting her gave me the confirmation about what I was getting myself into. CPE offered good networking opportunities and so much support. It was a great community.”

-Siobhan France, CPE Class of 2004, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford 2008, University of Pittsburg

“I am a student in the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University. I am currently in the process of transferring to the Elliot School of International Affairs which I feel will better prepare me for my desired career in international law. I’m currently involved in the Black Student Union and the Black Heritage Celebration Committee.

I’m really grateful for CPE because of the many talks with staff, all of whom gave me excellent advice about what college would bring. The networking, resume writing, and studying skills I acquired through the many workshops I attended through CPE have proven to be a wonderful tool throughout this first year. I keep in touch with the rest of my CPE family. I love them and attribute a large portion of my success to them.”

-Mela Lawson, CPE Class of 2010, The George Washington University 2014

“I am a student at Mount St. Mary’s University where I have the honor of serving as a Third Century Scholar, a Freshman Ambassador and the Secretary for the Black Student Union. Additionally, I am an intern for the President of the University and I sing in the gospel choir.

My college experience thus far has been great. I love having the chance to be responsible and to make a good name for myself. My classes have helped broaden my understanding of the world, and every day I grow in my faith and my education. If I have any advice for other students it would be to master time management. If you learn to schedule parts of your day when you give one-hundred percent of your focus to your studies, there is no limit to what you can do.

CPE has definitely played a part in my success. They taught me how to study, how to write a resume and how to succeed in school; but more importantly, they believed in me, which only added fuel to the fire. I felt that if a community of people outside of my family believed in me, so much that they would invest thousands of dollars in me, I would have no other choice but to pay up on their investment! I am truly grateful for everything that CPE has done for me. They have been a blessing in my family’s life, and I pray that they continue to help others achieve success.”

-Sean Davis, CPE Class of 2010, Mount St. Mary’s University 2014

“CPE always made me feel like I was so important because they had so much confidence in the individuals who were a part of their program. The staff and my mentor always encouraged me to strive for the highest goals because they saw something special that I could not see in myself at the time. I have learned from CPE that regardless of where you come from, if you are taught correctly, you can positively interact within any environment or situation, which has taken me very far in life.

CPE gave me the opportunity to meet Colin Powell and former Vice President Dick Cheney, two of the most powerful men at the time. I attended a CPE pool party at Colin Powell’s house and was invited to a reception at the Naval Observatory with Vice President and Mrs. Cheney. It’s not every day that young inner city youth have an opportunity to be exposed to these types of individuals and their environments. After hearing encouraging words from both of these men, I knew that anything was possible for me in my life. No matter what barriers try to stop you along the way, just keep going, always give your best and you will succeed.

When I was younger I dreamed of becoming a doctor, and I heard that Xavier University in Louisiana was the number one school for African Americans to go to for medical school. As a CPE student, I was very grateful to take advantage of the free Princeton Review SAT prep courses they offered to us. If I had not done well on my SATs it could have hindered me from getting into the colleges that I wanted to attend. Thanks to CPE, this did not happen. I was able to attend one of my first choices – Xavier University. I graduated in May 2008 with a bachelor’s of science degree in biology and pre-medicine. I am currently attending the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I will obtain my MSPH in tropical medicine, with a dual degree in epidemiology, in May 2010.”

-Lonique Moore, CPE Class of 2004, Xavier University 2008, Tulane University 2010