INSTRUCTIONS ON DEADLINES

Welcome to POL 100! In this first discussion board of our course, let’s introduce ourselves to each other, by doing the following:

  1. Create your introduction by entering text in the comments box below. When you finish writing your introduction, click the “POST COMMENT” button. In your introduction, tell us your name, what is your major (if you have chosen one), as well as a bit about yourself. Things you might consider sharing include: what are you interested in studying at BMCC, what are your plans after BMCC, interests that you have, etc.
  2. After entering your own post, respond to at least two classmates by elaborating on something that they wrote that resonated and connected with you.

57 thoughts on “Discussion Board 1: Class Introductions”

  1. Hello Professor Artinian and classmates!

    My name is Shaneika. I’m a liberal arts major planning to transfer to Baruch College to study political science, with the goal of attending law school. As a mother to a neurodiverse child, entrepreneur, and first-generation college student, I bring a perspective shaped by firsthand experience navigating systems that don’t always work as they should. I’m genuinely excited to dig deeper into how American politics and institutions function through this course.

    4. Hello Shaneika, I hope your future plans to attend law school go well. I also relate to you as a first‑generation college student. Like you, I’m genuinely interested in learning more about American politics and taking something meaningful from this course that I can apply in the real world.

      1. Thank you so much, Zarifah! Your kind words truly mean a lot. I wish you all the best as well! We’re just getting started, but I can already tell this course is going to give us a lot of valuable takeaways, both for our careers and beyond. Good luck with the semester!

      1. Hello Yinell, Thank you. I’m from a Caribbean background, and we are notorious for juggling many things and wearing many hats. Honestly, it was quite the journey. My ex-husband hired a law firm and took me to court, hoping to gain the upper hand because I couldn’t afford a lawyer. And in defending myself, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in law. Sometimes life throws you into situations you never expected, and you discover strengths you didn’t know you had! That experience really lit a fire in me, so here we are. Oh, btw, I won the case.

  2. Hello everyone, “kumusta kayong lahat?”, that is a Filipino word for “how is everybody?”. My name is Mae Pascual from the Philippines. You can call me Ate Kai (my nickname) or Ate Mae. “Ate” is a word for an elder female or older sister, because I know I am really older than most of you.
    I am taking an Associate in Gerontology major. This major caught my interest the moment I heard about it. I love working with seniors or older persons. After finishing my associate degree here at BMCC, I am planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology at York College. And hopefully, I will start an assisted living facility to help older adults receive the best possible care for the remaining years of their lives.
    Beyond that long-term goal, I have other plans and interests in this field. I would love to intern at a senior center or nursing home while I am still studying to gain hands-on experience. Like learning more about dementia care and a creative and engaging activities to keep them happy and connected.
    I am looking forward to learning about this class and how it will help me better understand the political landscape I need to navigate in order to build an assisted living facility for seniors through my major.

    2. Hello Mae!
      I’ve never actually heard of a Gerontology major, and after doing some research, I think it’s a great field of study and one that should be talked about more. I hope you’re able to achieve great things with such knowledge.

    4. Hello Mae, I enjoyed your introduction. I’m also a student at BMCC working toward completing my associate degree. Landscapes and maps are a big part of my major in GIS. I found it interesting to see how your major, Gerontology, connects to understanding people, communities, and environments in different ways. I also hope your plans to continue on to a bachelor’s degree work out smoothly.

  3. Hi! My name is Ameerah Jameer. And, I am majoring in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I chose this major by chance after learning about the careers of GIS professors during my senior year of high school. I was very interested in how developers, urban/city/GIS planners, and architects impact the lives of everyday people. Through their choices and decisions, the individuals who sponsor and fund them. And, how they are able to implement certain factors when building and planning our surrounding environments. The invaluable yet very impactful influence they have can be seen across neighborhoods in New York. From how divided resources are within the same borough to how separated the wealthier and poorer areas are within the same district. Though I’m still unsure of what I want to do after, I have planned to some degree to attend SUNY, Farmingdale for the GIS, BS.

    Fun Fact: I have a former stray cat. She was a stray cat until the summer of 2025. And, since then, she’s been living her best life. (She’s a fluffy calico for anyone wondering how she looks.)

      1. We adopted her after we kept see her around are neighborhood and feeding her. That lasted for about 3 to 4 month before we found out she was pregnant. After that we stared preparing are apartment to take her in, it took a while because at the time we were doing renovations. She gave birth to 4 female kittens, which all have great families right now. 😀

        Long story, short. We (I and my sister) basically fell in love with her to be honest. Then made a plan to get are parents to fall in love with her, so we can adopt her.

  4. Hello everyone! My name is Juan, and I’m majoring in Computer Science. I chose this major because ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by the world of technology. I was curious about how the digital tools everyone uses every day actually work. I also like math, so when it came time to choose a major, several of the options were related to that. In the end, I decided on Computer Science because it’s a field where I have the ability to create and innovate, to build something extremely powerful and important from scratch. My plans for the future aren’t entirely clear yet, but one idea I have in mind is to work for a year and then continue my studies at a four-year university.

  5. Hello everyone, my name is Zarifah Jameer, and I’m majoring in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I’m excited to be in this class and hope we all do well this semester.

    I’m still figuring out my long‑term plans. However, I do know that I plan to continue my education after completing my associate degree at BMCC. I’m looking forward to seeing how what we learn in POL 100 connects to real‑world issues and how it can support my studies.

    In my free time, I love reading and playing video games. I’m a big fan of visual novel games, and I also enjoy games like Cyberpunk 2077. I love the way it blends real‑world problems with its futuristic world. I’m always open to game or book recommendations if anyone has favorites to share.

    I hope everyone has a great semester and summer ahead.

    3. Hi Zarifah Jameer,
      I love that we share an interest in video games and reading. Nowadays, it’s hard to connect with people unless you are at work with coworkers or at school with classmates, and I feel that when I get home from work, I can decompress by playing video games or reading my crime stopper book. If you like mystery & thriller books, I recommend “A Keri Locke Mystery” written by Blake Pierce. It is a 5-book series that has had me on the edge of my seat.
      I hope this class can broaden our knowledge and maybe interest us.

  6. Hello Everyone,
    My name is Madison, and I am a political science major on the pre-law track at Temple University. I am from the Lower East Side and love all shades of green. I enrolled at BMCC to earn credits while home for the summer and work part-time. After this, I intend to return to Philadelphia and graduate in 2029 before attending law school. I have always been interested in history and social sciences, with my greatest influence being my grandfather, who was a teacher. I eagerly anticipate gaining a deeper understanding of American Government and learning from my peers throughout my academic journey.

    2. Hi Madison, it’s great to hear that your favorite color is green! Personally, I usually say black is my favorite color because i wear it all the time. But, if I had to pick which shade of green I like the best, it would be “Green Sage”. I love how pastel, dull, yet bright and muted it is. There is a multitude of different shades of this color, or at least according to what the internet shows through search’s.

      HEX Code: #899A59
      (Here’s the HEX color code in case you’re wondering what shade of green I’m talking about…)

    4. Hey Madison! It’s great that you’re using the summer to stay ahead with credits. As an economics major, I always find it fascinating to see how history, political science, and economics intertwine especially when it comes to understanding how government systems function. It’s also wonderful that your grandfather was such a strong influence on your studies. Enjoy your summer back home on the Lower East Side, and good luck when you head back to Philly!

  7. Hey Everyone,

    My name is Branden, and I am an engineering science major. Im still early into college so I am figuring out what I want to do as a career, but I love building things and working with computers and electronics so hopefully that will land me somewhere. I enjoy, 3D printing and comics, and I work at a tech store that allows me to be more involved in that space. I choose to take POL 100, because I am interested in how systems work, and its an essential part of how this country came to be, so its exciting being able to dive deeper into that history.

      1. Currently ive been grinding the Absolute Variants of different DC characters, if you read manga, then im sure some of these could be cool to look into.

        – Absolute Batman
        -Absolute Flash
        -Absolute Green Arrow ( 1st Issue just dropped)
        – Batman Hush
        – The Last Ronin ( Still Reading)
        – Ultimate Spiderman / The Amazing Spiderman

        These are some of the best comics I’ve ever read!!

        1. Absolute Superman is also good, although it’s taking me a minute to really get into it. Completely different rendition of the character, and a little all over the place but still a decent read so far

  8. Hi everyone, my name is Yinell, I’m studying criminal justice and I plan on going to John jay after graduating from BMCC. I also am deciding from what career to go into but some that do interest me is being a CSI or Crime Analyst. In my free time I enjoy doing my makeup and spending time with friends, I also enjoy watching crime documentaries

    2. It is great that you have a plan to continue your education at John Jay after BMCC. Being a CSI or Crime Analyst sounds very interesting. I also enjoy watching crime documentaries, so I can see why those careers appeal to you.

    3. Hi Yinell,
      My mother graduated from John Jay with a degree in criminal justice and loved the college. I love that we share an interest in watching crime documentaries due to the fact that we are living in a time where crime is a part of everyday news/life. I’m slowly opening up to the world of makeup, and the art is captured within. Can you give me some pointers on how to deal with a cakey look with foundation and powder?

  9. Hi everyone,

    My name is Longsai. I majored in Mathematics. I’m going to transfer to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after this summer and continues to study Mathematics and Computer Science. I was an intern in computer programming, it was a great experience but I didn’t find that much interest in programming, but I still like computer staff, so I plan to be a computer chip designer after finishing my bachelor degree. Outside of the classes, I like cooking and I often make dinner for my family.

    1. Hi Longsai! It’s awesome to meet a fellow student passionate about the intersection of math and computer science. I’m an economics major but I code on the side, so I completely understand the appeal of the technical side of things. Shifting your focus toward computer chip design sounds like an incredibly challenging but rewarding path! Also respect for cooking dinner for your family, that’s a great way to unwind after dealing with data all day! Good luck with your transfer to RPI this summer 🙂

  10. Hello Everyone,

    My Name is Jamal Carrillo. I am two electives shy of graduating with a bachelor’s in marketing from Manhattan University. I am an aspiring bodybuilder, and I am a Star Wars fanatic lol. I will be moving to Chicago to work at my cousin’s real estate firm, even though it wasn’t something I studied for. A personal goal of mine is to travel as much as possible. Some top destinations are Vatican City, Tokyo, and Venice.

    2. Nice to meet you! Congratulations on being so close to graduating with your bachelor’s degree. It is great that you are pursuing bodybuilding and have exciting plans to move to Chicago for a new opportunity. I also think your goal of traveling is amazing. Tokyo sounds like an incredible destination.

      Good luck with graduation and your move!

  11. Hello,
    My name is Sophia Leilani and I am pursuing a double majoring in political science and business at Northeastern University. I am taking this class as I want to keep my brain active over the Summer, and love history. In my free time I enjoy golfing, painting, playing volleyball, and traveling; this past year I was studying abroad in London where I visited 8 different countries!

  12. Hi everyone,

    My name is Fatou, and I’m currently majoring in Childhood Education. Working with kids has always been something I genuinely enjoy, it’s something I’ve grown to be very passionate about. I feel that teaching can have a positive impact on others. I’m looking forward to pursuing a full degree to become a teacher.

  13. Hello everyone,

    My name is Kaylan Bauza, and I am a Childhood Education major at BMCC. I am also a mother of three children, so most of my time is spent with my family and taking care of my kids. Being a parent has made me even more passionate about working with children and helping them learn and grow.

    I have always wanted to be a teacher because I enjoy helping children succeed and reach their full potential. I believe that education is one of the most important tools for shaping a child’s future, and I hope to make a positive impact in the lives of my future students.

    After BMCC, I plan to continue my education and earn my teaching degree so that I can become an elementary school teacher. I am motivated by the opportunity to inspire young learners, support their development, and create a positive learning environment where every child feels valued.

    I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning together this semester.

    1. Hi Kaylan,

      It was nice to read your introduction. I admire how you balance being a mother of three while pursuing your education. Your passion for helping children learn and succeed is inspiring, and I think you will make a wonderful teacher.

      I wish you the best as you continue your studies, and I look forward to learning with you this semester.

  14. Hello everyone,

    My name is Estella Bruton, and I am excited to be part of this class. I am someone who enjoys connecting with people, helping others, and learning new things that can help me grow both personally and professionally. I currently work in human services and have experience supporting individuals with disabilities, which has taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.

    Outside of school and work, I enjoy writing, reading inspirational content, exploring topics related to personal growth, wellness, and spirituality, and working on my business ideas. I am passionate about creating positive spaces where people feel encouraged, motivated, and supported.

    After BMCC, I hope to continue my education and expand my career opportunities while also growing my own businesses and creative projects. One of my biggest motivations is the belief that our words, thoughts, and actions can have a meaningful impact on both ourselves and others. I believe that growth comes from being open to learning, embracing challenges, and staying committed to our goals.

    I look forward to learning with all of you this semester and hearing about your experiences and perspectives.

    1. Hi Estella,

      It was great reading your introduction. I admire your experience working in human services and supporting individuals with disabilities. It sounds like you have a very caring and compassionate personality.

      I also think it’s inspiring that you are interested in personal growth and working on your own business ideas. I agree that being open to learning and embracing challenges can help us grow and reach our goals.

      I look forward to learning with you this semester and wish you success in your education and future projects.

  15. My name is Shandy, and my major is Business Administration. I am interested in learning more about business, marketing, and sales. After BMCC, I plan to continue my education and work toward a successful career in business.

    A little about me: I enjoy meeting new people, learning new things, and setting goals for myself. I am interested in careers that involve working with people and helping businesses grow. I am excited to be taking this class and look forward to learning with all of you this semester.

  16. Hey, Class and Professor,
    My name is Skyler; I am 26 years old, and I work as a paraprofessional at a High School. I am majoring in Early Education with special ed. Being a full-time single mom/student, and worker is a challenge, but something I love to show my 4-year-old daughter. Upon finishing this year at BMCC, I will be continuing my education to receive a bachelor’s degree. I am excited to learn new things and be able to bounce our ideas off each other.

  17. Hi,
    Im Valentina Recalde! I’m joining this class a little on the late side. I’m an economics major, and I code on the side. I love learning new subjects, as I feel that the more I learn, the more applicable it becomes to everyday life. When I finish this semester, I want to transfer to NYU for my bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science.

    About me, aside from studies: I work two jobs while going to school. I’m big into the creative scene. I love art, music, and photography and getting to know people! I also play basketball, volleyball, and run :).

Leave a Reply