Five-Minute Feature: Johanna Correa-Berry, 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 Johanna Correa-Berry, who is receiving her Bachelor of Science in Community & Human Services.  

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

My experience at SUNY Empire has shaped who I am by encouraging and supporting me to be myself in every room (even the virtual ones). Our university has helped me become a leader and a peer to others in their academic studies. I have learned how easy it is to network and build relationships here, which has shaped me into being a strong, confident, and educated professional for my future endeavors.  

Can you tell me how your experience with SUNY Empire’s Opportunity Programs impacted you as a student?   

My experience with SUNY Empire’s Opportunity Programs has impacted me as a student positively by providing support and resources throughout my educational journey. My mentor Natalie provided a space for me to ask a plethora of questions whenever I had them. She would either provide answers to my questions or follow up with them by providing contact information to encourage independence. Small gestures like these give students encouragement in their studies when they’re feeling stuck to reach out for help, or if they’re feeling optimistic and want to try new things. My experience with SUNY Empire’s Opportunity Program has granted me long lasting connections, work study positions, and scholarships which positively impacted my success. 

What are your future plans? 

My future plans are to continue working full time while also looking into positions or promotions that best fit my degree. I also want to receive a Master’s of Social Work in the near future. 

If your college experience were a movie, what would the title be? 

“Homework, Sleep, Work & Repeat”  

What do you find the most rewarding about graduating?  

The most rewarding part about graduating is the realization that all of your hard work has paid off. The second most rewarding part about graduating is acknowledging the increase in opportunities you can receive because you’ve secured your degree.