The Silk Stocking Sisters

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. Today, we are joined by special guest Dr. Melissa Carlo, Assistant Dean of Enrollment and Student Success at Dutchess Community College  (DCC) in Poughkeepsie, New York. Before taking on her current role, Dr. Carlo spent more than eight years leading TRIO programs at DCC, working closely with students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and advocating for the support they need to succeed.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Dr. Carlo reflects on her own educational journey and what shaped her commitment to access, equity, and student success. She explains the role of TRIO programs and the difference that consistent support can make for community college students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college. Dr. Carlo was inspired by her grandmother, who came to New York from Puerto Rico, learned English, attended community college and City College, and eventually became an ESL teacher in Harlem. Her grandmother's belief in the value of education stayed with her and Dr. Carlo made her a promise to pursue a doctoral degree. Years later, she fulfilled that promise while raising her family during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting her son on the autism spectrum, and navigating the unexpected closure of her original doctoral institution. Rather than give up, she continued her studies and earned her doctorate in Leadership, Innovation and Continuous Improvement in 2023.

Dr. Carlo shares how her students influenced her along the way. Watching them navigate barriers and continue moving forward strengthened her own determination and allowed her to persist through all the challenges she faced. This conversation emphasizes the critical role counselors, academic advisers, and other non-teaching professionals play in the lives of first-generation college students. For students navigating higher education without a family history of college, having someone who can provide guidance, answer questions, connect them to resources, and encourage them to keep going can make a powerful difference.

Tune in for a conversation on education, access, persistence, first-generation student success, and the people who help students continue to thrive throughout their academic journey. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!