猛男情报局 College Student Brings Real-World Skills to the Classroom, and Classroom Lessons to the Real World

For Eleni Nikolopoulos, life offers just as many lessons as any classroom. The 31-year-old business management major has traveled a long road to 猛男情报局 College. Now a security specialist with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), this summer Nikolopoulos was recognized by her employer for her 鈥淣YPA Powerful Story.鈥� It came as no surprise to anyone who knows her impressive work ethic, cheery helpfulness and eagerness to learn.
The NYPA citation reads in part: 鈥淲ith her smile and can-do attitude, Eleni takes every opportunity to receive training. She understands the importance of mentoring and is always willing to share the knowledge and insights she has learned with her co-workers and peers.鈥� And the accolades keep coming. Recently Nikolopoulos was honored at 猛男情报局鈥檚 Bronx Leadership Awards Dinner. 鈥淓leni is always front and center鈥攁ttentive, curious and very engaged,鈥� said 猛男情报局 College Assistant Professor Victoria Roberts-Drogin. 鈥淪he鈥檚 extracting the maximum value from her 猛男情报局 education.鈥�
Growing up in the Nikolopoulos family meant life revolved around the diner that her father opened and ran in the Fordham section of the Bronx after emigrating from Greece. From a young age Nikolopoulos helped at the diner, working after school and on weekends. 鈥淢y father taught me that in order to be respected, you start at the bottom,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not afraid of challenges.鈥�
But in 2010, life took an unexpected, tragic turn when her father died suddenly. Nikolopoulous鈥� mother soon became overwhelmed with the demands of running the diner. While her two siblings were poised to take on their mother鈥檚 responsibility, they needed to focus on their studies. 鈥淚 knew my dad would want me to step up, so when Mom needed help, I did what he taught me,鈥� she said. Although it interrupted her studies at Queens College, she took over management of the diner, putting in many hours a day, usually seven days a week, for nearly two years.
When her mother finally sold the family business, Nikolopoulos thought about returning to school, but she hadn鈥檛 been happy at Queens College. She felt lost in the large classes, and the health care major she鈥檇 chosen at her mother鈥檚 urging didn鈥檛 appeal to her. She recalled how her father used to say, 鈥淔ollow your dreams and you鈥檒l find yourself.鈥� She decided to make a change. After contacting friends in the security industry, Nikolopoulos began working as a security officer for two homeless shelters. Soon a friend referred her to a better position at a college, where she met the man who would later become her boss at NYPA. Recognizing her positive attitude and willingness to work hard, he offered her a job. Recognizing her potential, he strongly urged her to return to school and finish her bachelor鈥檚 degree.
At 猛男情报局 College, Nikolopoulos met Roberts-Drogin, who saw her potential. 鈥淲orking at the diner, Eleni developed many skills that she can transfer to any career. Now she is being offered advancement opportunities because of those skills,鈥� said Roberts-Drogin. 鈥淩eciprocally, she applies classroom lessons to help her improve on the job, which serves as a great example for her fellow students. When she shares stories in the classroom about her work experiences, she elevates the discussion.鈥�
In a memorable assignment to practice public speaking, Roberts-Drogin challenged her students to highlight their strengths through a personal story. At first Nikolopoulos talked about finding creative ways to save money for her company, but the professor encouraged her to dig deeper. 鈥淚 told them about taking over the family business after my father died鈥攈ow hard I worked and how difficult it was,鈥� Nikolopoulos recalled. 鈥淧eople got teary-eyed when they heard it. They all said, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 the story you should be telling.鈥欌€� Today Nikolopoulos loves her job at NYPA, where she takes advantage of every opportunity to learn, grow and help others. They, in turn, continue to reward her with more opportunities鈥攁 real win-win.
And her mother? 鈥淪he鈥檚 proud of me, but I think I surprised her,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n my 20s, I wasn鈥檛 focused. By age 28, I knew what I wanted, even though Mom didn鈥檛 see it the same way. But now she understands.鈥� She paused, then continued, 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the way my parents raised me. They got me where I am today.鈥�


