Messiah R. Gaymon, Jr.

Science, Technology, & Society ’19

A Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence winner and former SGA president, Gaymon is working at Big Brothers and Sisters of Long Island as External Program Relations Manager. He is responsible for the agency’s community and social media presence, media relations, and coordinating recruitment-oriented programs. He is also in the field, doing speaking engagements and networking with educators, corporations, and faith-based institutions. “Farmingdale State College provided me with both the foundation to be a leader and a support system that challenged and groomed me for my current job,” Gaymon says. “Now I’m advocating on behalf of the youth of Long Island and defending the potential of future generations. Farmingdale trusted me to lead the student body and my hope is that through my work I contributed to the legacy of FSC.”

Kristen Steinhardt

Visual Communications ’19

Steinhardt is CEO and part owner of Gyro Revolution, the Northeast’s only seller of gyroplanes. Based at LI’s MacArthur Airport, the company both sells the two-seater aircraft and provides flight services and training. To help Gyro Revolution compete in this emerging market, Steinhardt is also responsible for all means of communications. “My degree gives me the opportunity to pursue an occupation in many different industries,” Steinhardt says. “You can become a marketing professional, art director, photographer, graphic designer, ux/ui designer — the degree requires you to take classes in all of these subjects. So when you graduate you actually have the skills to start your own business, brand it, and market it, or be a valuable asset to an organization.”

Clyde Vanel

Aerospace Technology and Aviation Administration ’97

Vanel is a NYS Assemblyman and Representative of Assembly District 33 in Queens — but that’s not all. He is an attorney, internet entrepreneur, community advocate, private pilot, and founder of the NY Metro chapter of Black Pilots of America. His latter two interests are the result of his studies at FSC — he holds an AAS in Aerospace Technology and a BS in Aviation Administration. It was his education that prompted him to bring one of his passions to the community. “I had a great, great experience at the aviation program. Now, when people find out I’m a pilot, they are amazed. I asked myself, ‘How do I make it where more people can experience aviation?’”

William Jimenez

Business Administration ’10

FSC’s Alumni Association president and member of the Farmingdale College Foundation, Jimenez is also Alumni Relations Coordinator at Stony Brook University, where his focus is on creating and maintaining a student-alumni culture. Jimenez was involved in numerous activities while an FSC student, including the tennis team, sociology club, student athlete activities committee, and playing Ram-bo, Farmingdale’s beloved mascot. He also worked in several campus offices after graduating, including the Student Success Center, Athletics, and the Career Center. “FSC prepared me for life after college by making sure I had all the right skills to succeed in everything,” Jimenez says.

Jasmine Torres

Liberal Arts & Sciences ’15

Torres works for Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk, where she is Database Coordinator/Program Analyst. She is also involved in Walk the Walk, an event that supports victims of violence through counseling, advocacy, and legal programs. She is bullish on Farmingdale State College, and credits FSC for giving her a leg up in the pursuit of a career. “Farmingdale enhanced my personal development, achievement, and credibility in the educational world. As a young adult, I’ve learned through FSC’s community that when pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I was capable of creating opportunistic doors to open, challenging myself, and growing as an individual with greater experience and knowledge. I am forever grateful for FSC’s recognition and experience, which sparked me to pursue a thriving career and educational opportunities.”