Woman ‘makes a difference’ to students, gets award

A North Baldwin woman was given the President’s Award for “Making a Difference” at Berkeley College in Brooklyn.

Kimberley Malone, dean of Academic Advisement at the college, received the award from President Michael J. Smith.  The award, given twice annually at each campus location, recognizes an individual who strives to ensure exceptional service and superior engagement.

“It was such a surprise and an honor, and I’m really honored because it was the inaugural award,” Malone said. One individual from each of Berkeley’s 10 campuses received the award, she said, adding that the award was special because winners were nominated by their peers. 

Malone is a relative newcomer to New Jersey-based Berkeley. She was named interim dean in April and three months later received her full appointment.

“All I can say is we have a lot of positive feedback,” she said.  

The Academic Advisement department does more than simply advise students as to their coursework, she said.

“It’s more engaging in terms of reaching out to students and getting to know them and their challenges,” Malone said. “We empower students to better understand what their program looks like, and what it’ll take for them to succeed. They can come to us when they have challenges, and we can help them in overcoming those challenges.”

In addition to advising students about their courses, Malone said, she is also tasked with “helping them evaluate alternatives if they want to change their major.”

Also, students who are facing personal difficulties that may affect their coursework can come to her and get help. “My goal is to get them to graduate,” she said.

Malone came to academia after a background in the business world, she said. She got her bachelor’s degree in history at Dartmouth University and went on to Columbia for a master’s in business administration.

But throughout her career, she said, she focused on relationship management. She said she takes pride in “engaging people in any form and being able to build a rapport, so we can have better conversation.”

Her background includes 15 years with JP Morgan Chase Bank. Later, she was self-employed in real estate.