There Are Always Options: One Enrollment Bursar Coordinator’s Story
“Navigating college can be challenging, especially when it comes to finances, but students don’t need to go through the journey alone.”
Helping our students succeed is the number one priority for the faculty, staff, and administrators at CUNY SPS, though many of them often do this work behind the scenes. To spotlight some of the unsung heroes who support our School and students, we have introduced the blog series Backstage at CUNY SPS. Each of the members profiled here have been nominated by someone else at CUNY SPS in recognition of their great work.
In this week’s installment, we sit down with Adrian Diaz, who works in the School’s Office of the Bursar.
Q: Briefly describe your job and the work that you do at CUNY SPS.
A: My name is Adrian Diaz and I am an Enrollment Bursar Coordinator here at CUNY SPS. I work for the Office of the Bursar. In my position I work closely with students to ensure that they are able to meet their college financial obligations. I answer student questions, review account details, and assist with invoicing and collection efforts. Additionally, I oversee internal payment plans and serve as a liaison in the financial appeals process. I also assist the Office of Scholarships with reviewing CUNY SPS Emergency Grant applications and work with students in developing financial plans as part of the CUNY SPS Debt Forgiveness Grant.
Q: How did you end up working at CUNY SPS? How long have you worked here?
A: I started with the School at the end of 2019. Prior to CUNY SPS, I worked as a communications manager and program coordinator for two local nonprofit organizations. I have always had great respect for education and its ability to change lives. Understanding how important education is to our community, I felt compelled to transition into a career where I could help support the education of others.
Q: What do you find fulfilling about your work? And related to this, how would you say your job helps support student success at CUNY SPS?
A: My favorite part about working here is being able to assist students every day. Navigating college can be challenging, especially when it comes to finances, but students don’t need to go through the journey alone. I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist students through those challenges and provide them with the information or guidance they may need to make the best financial decisions.
Students will often contact our office unsure if they will be able to continue with their education — they might be living on a tight budget or experiencing an emergency that has set them back financially. It’s really fulfilling to be a calming voice on the line that’s ready to listen and problem solve with students.
This is one of the ways our office supports students throughout their college journey. Whether it’s working together on a payment plan, explaining the financial aid process, or sharing information on different resources or scholarship opportunities, I enjoy being someone that students can contact when they are looking for information or solutions. We have the opportunity to support our students each day and get them closer to their goal of attaining a college degree, and that remains my greatest motivation.
Q: You also sit on the Black Male Initiative (BMI) advisory committee. Can you also describe what led you to join the committee, what work you do there, and how you see this specific role as also supporting our students?
A: I joined the BMI advisory committee because I want to help promote equity, diversity, and community here at CUNY SPS.
The BMI program offered by CUNY SPS — now renamed the Urban Male Scholars — assists first-year students by pairing them with a peer mentor and offering different workshops and opportunities to support their success. The program is designed to support the needs of men of color, but it is open to all undergraduate students. Considering all the challenges that come with attending college, especially for men of color, I’m glad that we’re able to offer this opportunity here. In my personal time I have volunteered as a mentor, and I have seen the value of those relationships and how they can help us all grow and connect. Having that level of assistance as a new student can really aid with the transition into college and create a sense of community, which is so important.
The advisory committee provides guidance to the program and works to support its growth and success. Recently I helped with the newest cohort of mentors and we couldn’t be more excited about the applications submitted. There are so many students eager to share their experiences and contribute to the success of others here at CUNY SPS. I know our students will be in a much better position at the end of the year because of CUNY BMI.
Q: Finally, is there anything that you would like the larger CUNY SPS community to know about your work or your unit (that they may not know about already)?
A: I want our students to know that the Office of the Bursar is here to support them. Some might be afraid or hesitant to talk about financial matters — we understand that it’s not an easy topic to discuss — but it can be less intimidating with a plan in place. Our office is happy to work with them to create a financial plan, answer any questions, and ensure that they can keep working toward their educational goals.
Want to learn more about our dedicated faculty and staff? Read more installments from this series.
