Diversity of Berkeley College graduating class matches mission of school

Jaime Wynn is the president of Jimmy Choo Americas, a key division of the British fashion house founded in 1997 that has evolved from iconic shoes into handbags, small leather goods, scarves, sunglasses, eyewear, belts, fragrance and men’s shoes.

She also is a 2015 Berkeley College alumna.

Wynn, recently honored as Alumna of the Year, credits the college for helping launch her career.

“It was at Berkeley College that I rediscovered the power of resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals and the significance of integrity in every endeavor,” Wynn told the graduates at a ceremony earlier this month at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“I am indebted to this institution for not only equipping me with the knowledge and the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the world, but also instilling in me a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Berkeley College celebrated more than 1,000 graduates at the ceremony.

The school, which has three campuses in New Jersey (Newark, Woodbridge and Woodland Park) has long prided itself on providing opportunity for all. The diversity of this year’s class shows that.

Among 1,089 graduates, 113 were international students across 30 countries, and 88 were in the military. Hispanics (61% of the class) and Blacks (21%) represented four of every five graduates. And average age was 31, as 73% of the graduates were 25 or older.

The type of degree awarded also had a quite a range, as — in addition to 600 bachelor’s degrees — there were 328 associate degrees and 101 MBAs.

All of this only describes some of the journey to graduation day, Berkeley College President Diane Recinos said.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience and perseverance displayed by each and every one of you,” Recinos said. “Remember the lessons you have learned, the relationships you have built and the challenges you have overcome during your time at Berkeley College, and let these lessons fuel your drive to create a brighter future for yourself and for those around you.”