Christina Marie Simons

PROFILE: For as long as Christina Simons can remember, she has been curious about the world around her. “I am intrigued by the big pictures in life and by the minute details,” said the Long Island native who got a bit of a late start on college but has made up for it in spades. Always a dreamer and deep thinker, Christina found her outlet through art and photography. Her time at Suffolk County Community College has been, perhaps, the most opportune of her life. A leader and role model, Christina dove into the college experience holding leadership positions in various organizations in addition to earning a perfect 4.0 GPA. Prior to enrolling in college, Christina showed a desire to help in the community wherever she could through various volunteer and employment activities including stints at the YMCA, AmeriCorps, and Brehm Preparatory School. The next stop for Christina? She’s been accepted at one of the top art schools in the nation, CalArts in the Santa Clarita Area.

INSPIRATION: Christina’s photography professor at Suffolk, Allen Keener, “selflessly mentored me personally, academically, and artistically with an amazing ability to intuitively know when to lend a hand, when to let me falter, and when to let me soar.” She also attributes her artistic vision and personal drive to the influence of her dynamic and diverse family, friends, and various support systems.

ASPIRATION: Christina hopes to earn her B.F.A. with a concentration in photography and women’s studies. She wants to eventually earn a living as an artist and fine art photographer.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Since Christina assumed the presidency of her college’s Photo Club, membership in the organization has tripled. This is not a club where students show up once - the day the picture for the yearbook is snapped. It’s a club with an active membership where the meetings are learning experiences. In addition to her leadership role on campus, Christina helped to raise money for various other worthy causes on and off campus.

ACCOLADES: Christina received both the SUNY Chancellor's Award and the Vanguard Student Recognition New York State Award. She was also named a “Get There From Here” Scholar.

INTERESTING FACT: Christina loves the outdoors. One summer she spent an entire three months living outside at a camp while teaching campers how to rock climb, hike, backpack, build campfires, sleep under the stars, and dig latrines.