Jessi's Story

My name is Yesenia (Jessi) Santos, and I attended Bay Path beginning in 2003-2004 in the One-Day Saturday program. I was thinking of becoming a teacher at the time, and I was going for a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Elementary Education. I graduated in 2005 with my degree. I decided not to go into teaching and stay in the health insurance business, but my education did assist me in other aspects of my life and career. I was able to use the skills and knowledge learned attaining my degree by writing short stories for children, which was a hobby of mine. I was also able to do more presenting and training at work, whereas before I had a fear of presenting to a large group.

In the One-Day Saturday program, I made many friends and we supported each other throughout our educational journey. I also made many friends among staff and professors. In 2004 I joined the Bay Path Alumni Association Council. I learned so much about Bay Path, about the Alums about Bay Path’s vision and goals, and about leadership. Through this journey of attaining an education and being on the Alumni Council, I was moved by how women were supporting women, how Bay Path was helping women become great leaders, and how Bay Path made sure they hired great professors and staff.

In 2009 I returned to Bay Path to attain my MBA degree. I was able to attain my MBA in 1 year. It was a hard and arduous journey as I was working full time as well as caring for my elderly parents. I continued with the Alumni Association Council and became more involved in events held on and off the Bay Path campus. Once I graduated in 2010 with my degree, I was able to obtain a new position at a different insurance company and this furthered my career growth and journey.

The skills and knowledge I acquired in attaining my MBA along with the friendships and comradery of being on the Alumni Association Council helped further my career growth in my new position at the insurance company I worked for. I was able to become a senior contract analyst and lead many successful projects and was also a trainer for my teammates as well as a subject matter expert for my department.

In 2014 I was appointed Bay Path Alumni Association Council President and I was also on the Bay Path Board of Trustees. I led the Alumni Association Council as President for 3 years and represented the council and all alums on the Board of Trustees. In this capacity as Council President, I was able to utilize the leadership skills attained via my educational journey at Bay Path – problem-solving, relationship/team building, decisiveness, dependability, and integrity.

I completed my term as Alumni Association Council President and as a Board of Trustee member in 2017. Although I also withdrew as an 8-year member of the Alumni Association Council, I still participate in events and at Reunion. Bay Path has given me the skills and knowledge to achieve my dreams and thus have my dream job today at a great health insurance company. I believe that my career and life journey may not have been so successful and fruitful had I not attended Bay Path University. I have built a community of friends with the many wonderful, knowledgeable, and supportive professors, staff, President, fellow students, and alumni of Bay Path. I know the hard work that goes into all the wonderful and new educational programs offered at Bay Path for students to achieve their dreams. I know that Bay Path will continue to strive and offer a great future to all students and alumni.

I support Bay Path University not just by attending events and Reunion but also through my donations. I feel so strongly about Bay Path’s bright future that I have also donated with a scholarship bequest to ensure that future students have the assistance they need to achieve their dreams with the best education Bay Path University has to offer.