Brookdale Alumna Excels from Community College to Cornell and Stanford

The journey from Brookdale Community College to prestigious institutions like Cornell University and Stanford University is impressive and a testament to the opportunities and experiences community colleges offer. This was demonstrated by Sasha Anronikov a recent honors graduate from Cornell University who began her academic journey at Brookdale Community College and is currently conducting groundbreaking research at Stanford University.

Sasha’s dream institution had always been Cornell University. She applied to Cornell during high school and was offered a unique transfer option. This program allowed her to choose any accredited institution to attend for one year before joining Cornell’s class the following year. After considering several options, including Rutgers and the University of North Carolina (UNC), she chose Brookdale. “Brookdale was instrumental in giving me a head start once I got to Cornell. Financially, it made sense, and so many of my credits transferred, allowing me to take up a minor in business,” she explained.

Reflecting on her time at Brookdale, Sasha emphasized the importance of a supportive community and dedicated professors. Among her most memorable classes are Public Speaking with Professor Daniel Leyes and English with Professor Bettejane BolanKenney. “Professor Leyes is incredibly insightful and provides great feedback. He taught me how to deliver an effective presentation, which helped me so much in college and beyond. Professor Boland-Kenney is caring and thoughtful, she often stayed after class with me and was always encouraging me about my future plans,” she said.

Her involvement in the Biology Club, Honors Program, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society significantly influenced her development. “The Biology Club allowed me to gain leadership skills, which I took to Cornell, where I started an organization called Community College Student Transfer Engagement Program (CC STEP),” she noted. This program aimed to support community college transfer students by connecting them with leadership and professional opportunities and fostering a sense of community on campus.

“Once I transferred to Cornell from Brookdale as a sophomore, I started meeting other students who had transferred from community colleges, and we all seemed to be going through the similar challenges, many students had already formed friend groups” she explained. “I noticed a gap in resources for this community on campus, which prompted me to start the program. I wanted to create an organization dedicated to giving new transfer students a social group right away and connecting them to leadership and professional opportunities. While serving as president, we connected many students to research opportunities and involved them in labs. I am happy to say that the club is still running even though I have graduated, and I hope it continues for much longer. The grander vision is to open chapters at other colleges to support community college transfer students everywhere.”

The transition from Brookdale to Cornell came with challenges and rewards. In addition to the social aspect, the contrast in class sizes was also significant, with Brookdale offering small, close-knit classes and Cornell having much larger ones. Despite these challenges, the supportive community at Brookdale prepared her well for the rigorous academic environment at Cornell.

At Cornell, she immersed herself in research, becoming an HHMI-CURT scholar, joining an immunology lab and conducting various projects, including an honors thesis. Her roles as a student advisor and teaching assistant further shaped her passion for mentorship. “Being able to help students navigate their college journeys was incredibly rewarding,” she said. These experiences paved the way for her current research position at Stanford University and involvement in a Silicon Valley education start-up.

Now a researcher at Stanford University’s Nolan Lab, she focuses on immunology and infectious diseases, utilizing advanced technology like CyTOF to study immune profiles of diseases such as COVID-19 and Ebola. “The CyTOF technology allows us to get a snapshot of a patient’s immune system, helping us understand disease mechanisms and potentially leading to new treatments or vaccines,” she explained.

Looking ahead, she is considering pursuing either a Ph.D. or an MBA, with a long-term goal of working at the intersection of business and medicine. She is considering Yale’s program that allows simultaneous enrollment in both degrees. Her advice to current community college students aspiring to transfer to top universities includes networking with admissions officers and finding a specific area of excellence to highlight in applications. “First, don’t be afraid to network. Reach out to students at the university you are interested in or even admissions officers. Remember, when you are sending in your application, it is not just going into a void. A real person on the other end is looking through hundreds of applications. If you can make a connection with them ahead of time, it can be incredibly helpful. For instance, I reached out to an admissions officer at Cornell to ask which of two classes would strengthen my application. This kind of interaction can make your name recognizable and show your genuine interest.

“Secondly, top universities are not just looking for well-rounded candidates who are good at everything; they are looking for what is called a ‘spike candidate.’ This concept, which I read about in a blog post by a Harvard alum, suggests that instead of being a perfect well-rounded circle, you are a circle with a giant spike of excellence in one area. You need to find your spike, which is your passion and what you excel at. Make sure this is evident in your application, not just in writing but through your experiences and extracurricular activities. Admissions officers should clearly see where your area of excellence lies and how it aligns with your future aspirations.”

Sasha’s journey from Brookdale Community College to Cornell University and now Stanford University exemplifies the potential and opportunities community colleges can offer. Her experiences and achievements inspire current and future students striving to meet their academic and professional goals. For those seeking guidance, she welcomes connections on LinkedIn and is eager to help with college applications and mentorship.