Jasmine LaMontain understands the value of a supportive community. She came to TC3 as an adult student and experienced first-hand the power of encouragement. It not only helped her succeed as a student, it also made her realize that she wanted to do. She wanted to be the one providing her own encouragement to help others succeed. She didn’t want to leave TC3.

“I was working as a cashier trying to support my family when I was injured,” she said of what inspired her to come to TC3 as a student. “I realized I needed to change my circumstances and the best way to do that would be to earn a degree that would let me begin a real career.”

Financial aid helped make it possible, and her interest in lab work steered her to enroll what was then called biotechnology (now biology). She immediately started working as a student assistant in the lab and has been a fixture here ever since. She was hired as a technical specialist upon graduation and has continued to support and encourage everyone she encounters at TC3 while her own educational journey has continued. Balancing her work and her own studies, she has earned degrees from three different institutions. And while she recently completed her doctoral degree, she is also quick to say some of the most valuable learning she does still occurs in the labs at TC3.

“I learn so much from my students. They remind me every semester why I wanted to work here. I see them grow and persevere and get to celebrate the victories with them. It’s a wonderful thing.”

Jasmine LaMontain
Coordinator of Laboratory Technologies
Tompkins Cortland Community College; A.S.- Biotechnology, A.S.- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Math and Science
SUNY Cortland; B.S.- Biology
University of Saint Joseph; M.S.- Biology
Bay Path University; DHSc- Public Health

In her own words
What attracted you to TC3/Why did you want to work here?
As a student I saw how supportive the community at the college was. I had so many people cheering me on. It made such a difference to me. The encouragement I received kept me motivated and I realized I wanted to be able to do that for others, too. I loved my job in the lab and when the opportunity came to get a permanent job as the tech I applied.

What do you like best about working at TC3?
The people. Everyone that works here from the custodial and grounds crew to administration wants to see our students as well as our peers succeed in what they do.

How would you describe your best students - what characteristics do they share?
My best students are the ones who come in ready to learn and try something new.