Bergen Community College

Amanda Karpinski, of Carlstadt, chose Bergen Community College because of the NJ STARS program and felt that Bergen Community College far exceeded her expectations. Attending Bergen Community College and accepting the NJ STARS program was probably one of the best decisions in her life.

Karpinski describes attending the information session about Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) as “the first time I had that moment of ‘I belong here.’” After being inducted as a member, Karpinski was elected president of her chapter and became an advocate for community college education and PTK membership. In 2016, Karpinski was the first student ever elected PTK International President, and hoped to destigmatize community colleges and promote further involvement among advisors and members. She planned to encourage greater communication between member students and institutions, thereby fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge becomes communal. Karpinski also planned to provide special attention to developing resources for chapters that lack significant institutional support. In addition to her election to PTK International President, Karpinski also earned the regional and international Distinguished Officer award and regional Officer Hall of Honors recognition. She was also elected Student Representative for the PTK Board of Directors. “Phi Theta Kappa has the ability to transform you into a person that you never thought possible,” she said. “The biggest benefit is realizing your own potential.” While a student at Bergen Community College, she was a Legal Assistant at the Law Offices of Steven S. Genkin and was a Writing Tutor at the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center on campus.

At Commencement 2017, Karpinksi was awarded the PTK Joan C. Scrivani Award for Outstanding Service and the PTK Distinguished Leadership Award. She was one of 62 students who graduated with a 4.0 GPA and one of 34 students who earned the Dr. Judith K. Winn School of Honors and Phi Theta Kappa Dual Honors Award for both the honors program and PTK. After graduating from Bergen, Karpinski was elected Alumni Representative for the PTK Board of Directors. At the same time, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University in Newark in 2020.

Beginning in February 2022, Karpinski began serving as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman-Elect Shama Haider, and obtained a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration in May. In addition to pursuing her academic goals, Karpinski worked as a Legal Assistant at Kelly Kelly Marotta & Tuchman, LLC and a Law Clerk at the NJ Office of Attorney Ethics. She interned at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, served as a Registry Clerk at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office, and interned for the Democratic Committee of Bergen County. Karpinski also worked as Bergen County Commissioner Aide at the Bergen County Board of Freeholders. Since 2020, Karpinski has been the Regional Political Director at NJ Forward and the President for the Young Democrats of Bergen County. Karpinski was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the PTK Board of Directors in January 2021. “I am delighted to have Amanda – the youngest member of the Board – stepping into this important role,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK President and CEO.

Beginning in February 2022, Karpinski began serving as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman-Elect Shama Haider, and obtained a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration in May. According to Karpinski, “Throughout my academic and professional career, I constantly strive to be the best in all I do.”

• 2016-2017 Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Phi Chapter President
• 2016-2017 Phi Theta Kappa Regional/International Distinguished Chapter Officer
• 2016 Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Officer Hall of Honors Recognition
• 2017-2018 Phi Theta Kappa, International President
• 2017-2018 Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, Student Representative
• Phi Theta Kappa Joan C. Scrivani Award for Outstanding Service
• Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Leadership Award
• Dr. Judith K. Winn School of Honors & Phi Theta Kappa Dual Honors Award
• Phi Theta Kappa Graduate
• Graduated with a 4.0 GPA
• 2018-2019 Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, Alumni Representative
• 2020 Rutgers University, Newark Campus – BA English
• 2021 PTK Board of Directors Vice Chair
• 2022 Rutgers Graduate School, Newark Campus – Master of Public Administration, MPA

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

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