Catchin' Up With a Cookie: Natasha N. Piñeiros
Natasha N. Piñeiros
2017 Transfer Scholar, The College of New Jersey
Can you introduce yourself to the Cooke community and share a bit about your academic and professional journey so far?
My name is Natasha Piñeiros (she/her/ella), and I’d describe myself as a dynamic and innovative educator, and life-long learner. As a first-generation college graduate and first-generation immigrant from Ecuador, my personal journey has fueled my dedication to work with minoritized students who have historically been underrepresented and underserved in higher education. Having been a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship in 2015, I am now honored to serve as a Dean of Scholar Support at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Aside from the Cooke Foundation, I also serve as a Board Member of Mary’s Pence (a non-profit that funds and supports women's social justice organizations in the United States and Central America) and an Associate Member of the EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) Professional Association in New Jersey.
Personally, I'm all about living a healthy and balanced life. In my free time you'll catch me rocking some beginner boxing moves or breaking the dance floor to some bachata! I’m also always geeking out over a good skincare routine, solo traveling, and finding excuses to check out new coffee shops around Austin, TX!
In a fun twist of events, I've recently become a cat parent to an orange tabby that I named Melo - inspired by the word “caramelo” in Spanish (which means candy or caramel)! Melo is a constant source of giggles and a reminder to find joy in the little things. Professionally and personally, I'm all about creating positive and nurturing environments where we can all keep growing and flourishing.
What does being a Cooke Scholar mean to you?
Being part of the Cooke Community fills me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and genuine admiration. The fellowship and support that flow within the Cooke community are truly exceptional, and I'm constantly inspired by the diverse talents and ambitions of Cooke Scholars and Alumni. It's an honor to be a Cooke Scholar, and I deeply admire the collective intelligence, grit, and determination we all bring to the table. It's an honor to share this journey with such remarkable individuals, and I'm excited to see how our community evolves.
Tell us about a memorable moment in undergrad.
I began my college journey at Bergen Community College and then attended The College of New Jersey where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a Spanish Language minor. While my undergraduate years were my most-memorable, one very impactful moment occurred while in graduate school at the University of Maryland-College Park. Being that I was getting my Master’s degree in higher education and student affairs, I always sought ways to build my professional experience and work with current undergraduate students. I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a Staff Advisor to a group of 16 student leaders traveling to Los Andes, Guatemala during the 2018 winter break to address sustainable development and environmental preservation.
As a Staff Advisor to this Alternative Break, I served as a learning partner, led reflections, managed the budget, and provided Spanish-English translation during the trip. The memories began the very first day when we faced challenges like mismatched participant names on boarding passes at the airport, flights getting canceled and having to travel to another airport the first night, and having a student lose their luggage upon arriving to Guatemala. Despite these obstacles, our team's resilience remained unwavered. During our time at Los Andes, our team undertook significant tasks like cleaning and repainting local facilities, while also forming strong connections with the local community. Guided by thoughtfully planned activities, each day ended with meaningful group reflections.
Initially, I was self-conscious about my age (21 years young at the time) and its impact on my students’ perceptions. But my worries faded during our first night in Guatemala when they learned we shared similar ages. Because this concern was impeding the authenticity of my leadership, I turned to self-reflection which cultivated self-compassion that has continued to this day. During that trip, I began recognizing the significance of my personal, academic, and professional journey. In that moment I was able to recognize that I had all the tools and experience to continue leading that group of 16 students after just one semester of graduate school.
Natasha Piñeiros with fellow Cooke Alum and Foundation staff member Gabby Nicholas
My role as Staff Advisor for this Alternative Breaks trip at UMD exceeded my expectations and certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone. A true highlight was receiving the honor of being named Staff Advisor of the Year by the Alternative Breaks office. My students left me deeply inspired, further solidifying my dedication to social justice education in student affairs.
What is ONE THING YOU DID TO HELP TRANSITION TO YOUR FIRST YEAR OUT OF COLLEGE?
I attended graduate school immediately after receiving my Bachelor’s, therefore, my last graduation left me with feelings of uncertainty due to a lack of routine and immediate goals to pursue. Something that truly helped me transition out the college environment was to build routines and goals for myself that would leave me accomplished. I would create routines and habits for myself, and continued to use tools and resources that I had used when I was a student. For example, I continued using Trello to manage my to-dos, I went to coffee shops when applying for jobs, and kept using my Google calendar consistently to keep track of events, commitments, and deadlines.
What was the last book you read, movie/show you watched, or podcast you listened to that you really enjoyed and highly recommended?
I’d highly recommend watching Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix. It is a Korean drama featuring an autistic attorney, Young Woo, and how she navigates her job, family, acceptance, and love. The legal drama combines intricate legal cases with mystery, humor, some fantasy, and a side of romance. If you're a fan of binge-worthy, engaging storytelling shows with lots of character development, I highly recommend giving it a try!
If you were to create your own cookie, what would it consist of and what name would you give it?
I’m a sucker for hazelnut and cookies & cream flavored desserts, but I also try to eat as healthy as possible. My cookie would be soft and gooey on the inside, with cookies and cream flavored protein powder in the dough mix and a drizzle of melted hazelnut butter on top. I’d then add crumbled peanuts on top for an extra crunch! I’d call it: Hazelnut Protein Cream Crunch Delight!