Commencement 2024

Graduation is a Family Affair: Tiffany Woodbine and Jordan Woodbine

This month, Tiffany Woodbine, a physical education teaching major, and Jordan Woodbine, a journalism major, will receive their bachelor’s degrees after being inspired and challenged by COVID-19. However, the pandemic allowed them to study at York College and graduate together.

Jordan enrolled directly in York from high school. Since middle school, he had a knack for public speaking, excelled on the debate team, and decided he wanted to be a news reporter. When choosing a college, the Brooklyn native wanted a school supporting his major and was willing to commute to York. "They have professors who are well-versed in the field, there is a radio station, and I was excited about the future," he explained.

He was getting acclimated to his major, the YC radio station, learning to speak into the microphone and write report scripts when the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. "The news started to get depressing, especially during the pandemic. I started thinking about podcasting and possibly having a talk show instead," Jordan explained.

Tiffany found inspiration in the midst of uncertainty during COVID-19 and decided to return to school. After graduating high school in 2011, she went to college for two years. "I just wanted to play basketball and wasn't focused on academics." She dropped out and got a job. However, during the pandemic, she enrolled in Kingsborough Community College to boost her GPA. Her experience there gave her the confidence to continue her education. "I majored in physical education in the Teacher Education Department because I want to coach kids," she explained. "I was an assistant coach for a girl's high school team, but I took a break to finish school." Making connections with fellow students in the Department, Ravi Ravindra and Divad Devadas, also made her feel more at home at York.

Although the brother and sister duo studied at York for the same semesters, they rarely saw each other. Jordan attended classes during the day and then interned at Jamaica Funk and his sister, who worked full-time as a paraprofessional at the Department of Education, took most of her classes at night. "This is the semester I have seen him the most," she said.

Jordan spent almost half his college years during COVID-19. "Now I blink, and I open my eyes, and I am in my senior year," he said.

They co-signed each other’s strength and courage to stay the course and reach their educational goals.

"I'm proud of my brother graduating. Despite the pandemic's difficulties, he still allowed himself to push through that!" Tiffany said.

"I am proud that by God's grace, my sister didn't give up even after dropping out," Jordan said.  "But kept pushing and working harder."

But no one is prouder than their mother, Karlene Woodbine, who is telling everyone about her two children graduating this month from York College. “Congratulations to my two children. Your achievements are truly remarkable, and I am filled with pride at this important milestone in your lives. This is not just the beginning of your careers, but a significant step forward. Witnessing both of you graduate is a rare and heartwarming experience for a parent, and it means everything to me,” she said.

Jordan is exploring opportunities across media and journalism, hoping to land an entry-level position writing, editing, or working in social media. He is even open to returning to the news industry.

In addition to coaching, Tiffany wants to become a physical education teacher.