“I can always go back to Monroe, walk the hallways, say ‘hi,’ and know I’ll be welcomed with the same love—and that’s a beautiful thing.”
During her time at Monroe, Chrismary Rodriguez wore many different hats. Beginning as a student earning her bachelors in criminal justice to working part time in financial aid to a full time role in admissions, Monroe has always been a consistent part of Rodriguez’s life.
Her adaptability has followed her to her professional career where she runs her own business in beauty wellness and medical tourism, helping women feel confident in themselves. Rodriguez graduated in 2014 and after an internship at Riker’s Island she realized criminal justice was not the field she wanted to pursue.
She worked at Monroe University for eight years before deciding to start her own business in beauty. Her time at Monroe as both a staff member and student taught her the necessary skills of professionalism and entrepreneurship that she applies to her work life, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez built strong connections at Monroe, referencing many of the other staff members as her family. Guidance from professors and other staff continue to help Rodriguez pave her career path as she communicates and checks in with many of her former co-workers on a regular basis.
The long enduring friendships that Rodriguez built at Monroe also continue to help her, one of her close friends that she made during her time at school is a long time client and continues to recommend other clients to Rodriguez.
Keeping in touch with her former peers and coworkers has been easy for Rodriguez because as an alumni, she has always felt like a part of the Monroe family and community.
“I can always go back into Monroe and walk around the hallways and say ‘hi’ and I know that I will be welcomed with the same love,” Rodriguez said. “That’s a beautiful thing.”
