Five-Minute Feature: Joanna Succi, Winter 2025 Graduate

Get to know the Empire State University community through these special-edition Five-Minute Features celebrating our Winter 2025 graduates. What makes Empire State University exceptional? The diverse stories, achievements, and dreams of the students crossing the stage. Five minutes—starting now! 

Meet graduate Joanna Succi, who is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics.   

How has your experience at Empire State University shaped who you are? 

Empire State University has had a huge impact on who I am today. As a full-time worker and single mom, going back to school in 2021 was a big step but it was something I really wanted for myself. Finishing my degree was a personal goal, and SUNY Empire made it feel possible. The flexibility and support I have received helped me balance work, parenting, and school, even on the toughest days. This experience taught me how strong and capable I really am, and it helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am proud of how far I have come, and I am hopeful that this degree will open new opportunities for growth in my career. 

Can you tell me how your experience with the VMRC has impacted you as a student? 

The VMRC has been a huge help throughout my time at SUNY Empire. The advisors guided me through getting my military credits transferred and made sure I received the military tuition rate, which made going back to school financially possible. More than that, they made me feel supported. I always knew I had people I could reach out to who understood my background and genuinely wanted to help me succeed. Having that kind of support system made the whole experience less stressful and helped me stay confident and focused. 

What are your future plans? 

My plan is to continue growing in my career in logistics and account management, and to use everything I have learned at SUNY Empire to move into more leadership-focused roles. I am also seriously considering going back to get my master’s degree. Down the road, I would love to come back to SUNY Empire as a professor and help other students learn about supply chain management. The idea of using my real-world experience to support and inspire future students really motivates me. And of course, I want to mentor others who are balancing work, family, and school just like I did. 

What’s one class you didn’t expect to love but had a great experience in? 

There were two classes I did not expect to love. They were Women in Management and Organizational Behavior. I figured those classes would just be another requirement, but they ended up being my favorite classes. They helped me understand my strengths as a leader and showed me how I can grow even more. The discussions were relatable to real-life situations at work, and it made the courses really engaging and meaningful. 

If you could give one piece of advice to future graduates, what would it be? 

Give yourself grace and keep going, even when things feel overwhelming. Whether you are working full-time, raising a family, or juggling a lot at once, every step forward counts. Do not be afraid to ask for help or use the resources SUNY Empire offers; they are there for a reason. The journey is not always easy, but when you finally reach the finish line, the pride you feel makes every challenge worth it.