like I was just pulled in that direction.” Now she plans to provide services to this health-challenged community.

“I would be providing them with information, doing cooking demonstrations and showing them how easy it is to shop and prepare healthy meals.” With encouragement from her Culinary Arts School instructors Evans is currently writing grant applications, seeking funding for a mobile unit with a kitchen that she can bring to such sites as senior citizen centers and churches to provide people with hands-on demonstrations.

“I was going to work out of my car but after conferencing with one of my professors, she pointed out that there is a need for this and that I could write a grant application. I became very excited and knew that was what I wanted to do. I would like a mobile unit that would keep the food safe. I’m really concerned about food-borne illness so if I had a mobile unit with a kitchen in it, no food would have to go in and out of my home.”

Michelle Martin is also excited about her prospects in instructional technology and how she can apply real world business experience in the classroom. As she said in her commencement address: “Genuine education begins and ends with a pursuit to find truth. Making teaching your profession means finding out what your values are and what motivates you to be a true educator.”

Both women are currently filled with excitement and promise for the future now that they have met the challenge of embarking on new career paths. And though they also have busy domestic lives—Ms. Martin has two young daughters she is raising with her husband Hans, a stockbroker; Ms. Evans helps her daughter with her teenage grandson—they are ready for the rigors and excitement of new careers.

“Nearly 3,000 students will be receiving degrees from NYIT this spring,” notes Dr. Edward Guiliano, NYIT President and CEO. “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of all our graduates.”#