Meet Cecile McIntosh-Carless: Student Speaker for Winter 2023 Commencement

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- December 5, 2023) Cecile McIntosh-Carless's devotion to public service has spanned countries, and her hard-sought Empire State University degree is helping propel her forward.

“It's an immense feeling to know that despite everything, I was still able to surmount the challenges and obstacles,” she said. “I know that if I can do that to achieve my bachelor's, then I can continue on. This is momentum to the next goal that I can set for myself.”

McIntosh-Carless is receiving her bachelor's of science in public affairs. Her journey began in her home country of Jamaica in 1990, where she earned her high school diploma. She wanted to pursue college, but instead joined the workforce to support her family. McIntosh-Carless also chose to support her community by becoming a police officer in the Jamaican Constabulary Force.

Witnessing the inequality in poorer communities, she vowed to bridge the gap between the police and the people by starting community programs. She started a homework program, Girl Guides/Boy Scout troupes, provided mentorship and counseling to teens, and started a birth certificate program. McIntosh-Carless received a special commendation from the Commissioner of Police for her efforts.

“I believe I've done my part to ensure I left the communities better than I found them,” she said. “Their stories and struggles are similar to mine -- my community was looked down on by the police and others in society. I saw myself in them and I was duty bound to treat them as I would want my family and I to be treated."

Ultimately, McIntosh-Carless left Jamaica to give her children a better life – and opened new doors for herself in the process. Settling in the Bronx, she enrolled in Bronx Community College in 2014.

“I wanted to be an example to my children,” she said. “If I want them to achieve the best they can be, I feel this is something I should set for myself.”

Unfortunately, cost was a barrier to McIntosh-Carless reaching her educational goals. She stopped after completing a few credits at Bronx Community College, as she was also supporting her son through college. Refusing to give up on her dream, she looked into online schools, enrolling at SUNY Empire in 2020. The support of the admissions and financial aid teams, as well as the fully online format made it possible for McIntosh-Carless to continue her education.

“I've found everyone from the administrative team to professors very accommodating,” she said. “I could be an ambassador for the school.”

And as this year’s student speaker for Winter Commencement, she’s not far off.

At age 50, she will finally cross the stage and share her story with her peers.

“It might have been delayed, but it was not denied,” she said. "It’s something I'm so proud of myself for -- that I was able to stick to the task and never give up on the dream.”

As for what she’ll take on next, McIntosh-Carless wants to pursue local politics or public law. Wherever she goes, she wants to be sure she’s making a difference.

“I want to get involved and advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves,” she said. “I'll be able to make a contribution to the improvement of our lives as a collective people.”