Brookdale Alum’s Journey Leads to Columbia University

For many students, the path to a top-tier university is carefully mapped from the start. For Brookdale Community College alum Hannah Hunt, the journey was anything but traditional, and that’s exactly what made it transformative.

After graduating high school, Hunt initially enrolled in college but stepped away during her first semester, unsure of her direction. What followed were four years in the workforce, including three impactful years of teaching at a local preschool. It was there, working closely with young children, that her purpose came into focus.

“I realized I wanted to help my students more, and to do that, I needed to continue my own education,” Hunt said.

A Fresh Start and a New Passion

When Hunt returned to Brookdale, she did so with a renewed sense of purpose. As a non-traditional student, she immersed herself in her studies in education and psychology, and just as importantly, she found mentors who would shape her journey.

Early on, she connected with Professor Ave Latte, Ed.D., who became a trusted advisor and remains a lasting influence. She also credits Professor Marlena Frank, whose course in positive psychology sparked a deep academic passion.

“I fell in love with the subject and with her teaching,” Hunt said, recalling how that course helped solidify her path forward.

These relationships, along with the broader support she found across campus, became foundational to her success.

“Anyone I met at Brookdale, I could sit down with and talk about my future,” she said. “Everyone was supportive.”

A Leap to the Ivy League

As graduation approached, Hunt initially considered transferring to more familiar, cost-effective institutions. But with encouragement from Professor Latte, who urged her to think bigger, she applied to Columbia University’s School of General Studies, a program designed for non-traditional students.

“I didn’t really think much of it at first,” Hunt admitted. “So, when I got accepted, it was shocking.”

At Columbia, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in psychology, completing the program in approximately 3.5 years.

From Community to Competition

While Columbia offered access to world-renowned scholars and a rigorous academic environment, the transition came with challenges. The close-knit, supportive atmosphere Hunt experienced at Brookdale was replaced by a more competitive and fast-paced setting.

“At Brookdale, you have that one-on-one attention that builds your confidence,” she explained. “At Columbia, you’re competing with some of the smartest people in the world.”

Yet, it was the confidence built through her Brookdale experience and the guidance of her mentors that carried her forward.

“Brookdale confirmed for me that I could do this,” Hunt said. “It gave me the foundation, the motivation, and the support I needed.”

Redefining the Community College Narrative

Hunt’s story also challenges lingering misconceptions about community colleges.

“I think people sometimes look down on a two-year education,” she said. “But that community aspect is foundational. It’s where you find your passion and your support system.”

For Hunt, Brookdale wasn’t just a steppingstone; it was where she found direction, confidence, and a network of mentors invested in her success.

What’s Next

Since graduating from Columbia, Hunt has remained closely connected to her passion for education, working one-on-one with children, and developing her own learning curriculum. She is now preparing for her next chapter: pursuing a master’s degree at Rutgers University this fall in education, cognition, learning, and development.

Her long-term goal is to return to higher education this time as a professor.

“I’d love to teach at the college level,” she said. “Brookdale inspired me to do that. I want to give back in the same way my mentors supported me.”

Advice for Future Students

For students considering a similar path, her message is clear: lean into the people who are there to help.

“Trust your mentors. They want to see you succeed just as much as you do,” she said.

Her journey went from uncertainty to purpose, from Brookdale to Columbia, and underscores the lasting impact of mentorship, resilience, and the courage to take an unexpected path.