TCNJ

5 Student Feature: Elizabeth Mikotowicz Meet Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a full-time graduate student in the five year MAT Special Education program. Elizabeth, or Liz as she likes to be called, will be graduating from her program in the Spring of 2016. A recent TCNJ alumna, she holds a B.S. in Psychology. She decided to pursue the 5- year program and continue graduate school at TCNJ because of its special education department, noting that it had an amazing reputation. After graduating high school, Liz took a gap year to work at a therapy consulta- tion business in Medford, NJ which reignited her interest and passion for special education. In addition to being a full-time student, Liz also works for the Career and Community Studies program at TCNJ as a mentor. The CCS program offers students with disabilities the chance to get the four year college experience by attending classes, taking part in internships, and liv- ing with other students on and off campus. Always passionate about her field, she was the president of the Students for Disability Awareness Club at TCNJ as an undergraduate student. After graduation, Liz's ideal job would be working as a kindergarten teacher in an inclusive classroom setting. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, crafting, and watching Netflix! As a graduate student, the biggest challenge Liz has faced has been balancing work, school and a social life while also trying to absorb all the information she will need in order to be the best working professional possible. If Liz could give some advice to fellow graduate students, current or future, it would be for them to get involved on or off cam- pus within your future profession. She feels it is a good way to gain experience in the field you're going into while also getting a feel for what it will be like working after graduation. Introducing Alyssa Mangel, a full-time graduate student in the five year MAT Special Education program. She just graduated from TCNJ this past spring with her B.S. in Women's and Gender Studies. Alyssa entered the program knowing she had a passion for teaching and always made it a part of her plan to attend graduate school here for special education. The reputation of the special education program is what really drew her to TCNJ. Alyssa is currently a volunteer with the Career and Community Studies program. In the past she worked in scholarly research with a special education professor through a program called Mentored Under- graduate Summer Experience or M.U.S.E.. Student Feature: Alyssa Mangel

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