Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College alumna Amanda Sheehy, ‘24, wants to make a difference in this world. To pursue her career as a direct support professional and an artist, she majored in interdisciplinary studies and completed the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Certificate program at Bergen. Sheehy was part of the first DSP cohort in Fall 2023.

“I chose the Direct Support Professional program at Bergen because it takes a special person to work with those with physical, mental or developmental disabilities,” said Sheehy who was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. “I wanted to be that special person for those who need support with daily tasks and community engagement.”

“What I enjoyed most about the DSP program was I got to not only learn material in a classroom setting but it allowed us to go into the community and do an internship,” said Sheehy. “This allowed me the opportunity to get firsthand experience and work towards my career as a DSP.”

When asked why she chose Bergen, Sheehy reflected on her journey before coming to Bergen. Sheehy attended a four-year college for about a year after high school. Although it was challenging, she eventually dropped out feeling defeated. She finally got the motivation to go back to school and chose Bergen. “Known as one of the nation’s finest two-year colleges, Bergen has prepared me for my associate degree as I plan to enter in a career as a Direct Support Professional,” said Sheehy. “Bergen made it flexible for me to work part-time and take classes part-time whether it was in person learning or online.”

Sheehy feels that she was successful in the program because of the people who challenged her in and out of the classroom. “They have taught me to strive to be my absolute best self,” said Sheehy. “They have motivated me to be part of something bigger than myself.”

Committed to developing her professional skillsets, Sheehy has continued her education and completed an impressive 7 certificates through Bergen Community College, the American Red Cross, the Crisis Text Line, Mental Health First Aid USA, and the National Healthcareer Association.

Certificates:

Volunteer Crisis Counselor Training, Crisis Text Line- Issued July 2025

Water Safety, American Red Cross- Issued June 2025

Peer Support Specialist, Bergen Community College- Issued: April 2025

Adult Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health First Aid USA- Issued June 2024

PersonAbility Certificate Program, National Healthcareer Association (NHA)- Issued April 2024

Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, American Red Cross- Issued January 2024

Direct Support Professional Certificate Program, Bergen Community College- Issued December 2023

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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