RETHINKING THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Sarina Roffé
GOING FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE IS A MAJOR TRANSITION FOR ANY STUDENT, BUT EVEN MORE CHALLENGING FOR STUDENTS THAT COME FROM TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITIES WITH A VERY STRONG SENSE OF VALUES BASED ON RELIGION AND ETHNIC CULTURE. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THESE 18-YEAR-OLDS ARE EXPOSED TO PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES, AND FOR MANY, THE DORM LIFE OF LIVING AWAY FROM HOME IS NOT AN OPTION. MANY HAVE TO BALANCE JOBS WITH WORKING TOWARDS A DEGREE.
Focus Education was started by Michael Tawil and Abraham Sultan in collaboration with Touro University to help community students succeed in college. The program is focused on helping them make the right class and scheduling choices, and meet with advisors who understand their culture and heritage. It also eliminates classes that are not geared toward the students’ chosen career path — it’s more focused.
Sultan said, “Focus presents incoming students with an accelerated route to their bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a protected and secure environment. Designed by the community for the community, the program minimizes the burden of superfluous core courses that are not directly beneficial to the chosen careers of our students and brings these young adults to the end goal faster, and safely.”
During a time when there is a war in Israel and tensions are high on college campuses, Touro University is a safe haven for college-bound students. Parents may be uncomfortable sending their children to live on college campuses where tensions are running high and there is increased antisemitism.
Sultan said the program began last fall with great success and expects to triple in size for the fall 2024 semester. Located in a brand new 30,000 square foot building on Ocean Avenue and Avenue J, Focus can accommodate up to 500 students, and is both convenient and safe. The class schedules are flexible, catering to any student’s schedule. This program is custom tailored to each individual student’s needs, allowing for a more efficient path. This is an incredible opportunity for those looking to further their educations and career prospects, with a concentrated strategy.
“We are thrilled to host Focus students on our campus,” said Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean of the campus. “Our aspiration is to provide high-quality undergraduate courses in preparation for rewarding careers in a variety of professional fields. Our university prides itself on our warm Torah environment where students can focus on their futures free from distraction. We are anticipating great things from our Focus students!”
Jack Gemal was ready to quit after his first year at Brooklyn College. The schedule was not working for him, and he found it hard to manage the enormous campus. The Focus Education program offered him a more personalized approach, smaller classes and a warm environment in a brand-new building.
“The Focus program sounded like a great opportunity for me and it really panned out,” said Jack, a marketing major. “I really learned a lot this past year and our voices were heard when we made suggestions, especially with the scheduling.”
There are courses in marketing, finance, accounting, management, digital multimedia, JAVA programming, cybersecurity and networking, sonography, real estate, para legal, and education. Focus courses can be offered in person any time of day at the new campus, or online for maximum convenience. These subjects were chosen based on community needs and feedback. More tracks are added based on interest. Students take fewer core or required courses and more courses in their area of interest.
The program has fewer liberal arts and required courses and allows for the students to obtain an associate degree in 12 to 24 months in the chosen major based on the pace the student works at. Most students can get a bachelor’s degree in three years. In addition, Touro has excellent intern job placement resources that students can take advantage of. Touro University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Touro University is a worldwide accredited program that has been established for over 50 years. Students of Focus benefit from personnel, alumni, and networking during and after their time in school. Touro is an international school system on top of all academic standards.
There are academic advisors available throughout the experience, and community members who are willing to lend an ear or a hand whenever necessary. The program allows for other commitments, or employment, while still in school. The goal is to do everything to help a conscientious student reach their goal.
“The building is new and in mint condition, located at the corner of Avenue J and Ocean Avenue, so it’s close to home,” said Jack. “We can take classes at other campuses as well as those in this building. I really appreciate the online classes I can do at my own pace.
“It’s been good meeting and networking with other students. I made some new friends and developed better people skills. Students in this program have real goals. Everyone is very nice, warm and welcoming, from the professors to the students and building staff. They take care of you.”
Focus Education is a community-backed program that offers camaraderie and business networking opportunities to its students. The organization wants students to succeed and to use its vast network of community members and Touro alumni to help place all students who work hard and dedicate themselves to their field of choice.
Michael Tawil said, “In twenty years we’ll look at this program and wonder how we ever lived without it.”
To apply, please visit www.FocusEducation.us or call 718-426-5040.
A genealogist and historian, Sarina Roffé is the author of Branching Out from Sepharad (Sephardic Heritage Project, 2017). She is researching a new book: Syria – Paths to Freedom. Sarina holds a BA in Journalism, and MA in Jewish Studies and an MBA.
