By Kelly Filipczuk ‘24

Congratulations to Mohini Gobin for her new position as Associate Director of the Honors College for both the New York City and Pleasantville campuses! For those who are unfamiliar, Mohini has been working within our community for several years now as an academic advisor to approximately 300 students. She has also led the mentoring program that has aided many freshman students and co-ran the Honors Advisory Board for over a year with Dr. Jackie Kopel. Despite the new position, Mohini will continue to be an academic advisor to about 150 individuals. Being one of her advisees, I can attest to the well-known fact that Mohini is wonderful! She has acquired numerous skills that make her one of the best.

Mohini revealed that she is enthusiastic about her new position and “ready for the challenge.” She looks forward to learning more about the students in Pleasantville, as well as those within the New York City campus that she has yet to meet. In addition to her cohort of advisees, Mohini will now be supervising all academic advisors within Honors, leading training, overseeing the Honors Advisory Board and Honors Mentoring Program, and continuing to support the expansion of our community. This includes communicating with both campuses and ensuring that all staff are properly trained to better support students. Regarding the Advisory Board, Mohini hopes to see student leaders take initiative and advocate for themselves. “It can be stressful, but these times are related to what [leaders] will be doing in their jobs one day,” Mohini said. She detailed that the Board is a wonderful opportunity to not only get more involved within Honors, but to also get experience in running marketing, events, and blog programs. 

Mohini first came to work for Honors as a student speaker at PaceBounds and accepted students’ events as a first-year student. A few semesters later, she was hired as a student assistant in the Honors College and became Dr. Jackie Kopel’s peer leader while studying biology as an undergrad. She described this opportunity as being the light switch that illuminated her passion for mentoring and advising. She consequently applied for an academic advisor position within Honors during her senior year. While working within this endeavor, Mohini also received her master’s degree in mental health counseling; what an impressive set of achievements! All these experiences have equipped her with beneficial skills applicable to her prior and new position within Honors. Mohini never fails to create a comfortable space for her students, and she ensures that all feel understood and heard. She is a valuable member of the Honors community and deserving of this new position!