After volunteering at YPIE for five years, Raissa joined the YPIE team in 2014 and works as a College Success Advisor. In this role, she supports the persistence of students through their freshman and sophomore years of college. Previously, Raissa has also worked as a College Advisor with YPIE students.

Raissa has had a varied career.  She worked as the Program Administrator at the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, a Development Associate at the New York Botanical Garden, and was an owner of a Personal Chef business. Her interest in assisting students navigate the college application process was fostered by her work at Mercy College in the College Opportunities Programs department.

Raissa graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in Art, from Mercy College with a Master's Degree in English, and from CUNY School of Professional Studies with a Master's Degree in Museum Studies. Her two children recently graduated from college. Her son is currently in medical school. They help her better understand the issues that college students face, as well as the path to professions in the health field.

rfitzgerald@ypie.org

914-377-4882 x120