Meet another one of our fabulous Admission Coordinators, Lydia Brown! Lydia joined us from Connecticut, where she worked tutoring middle and high schoolers. Read more about Lydia, including her favorite taco truck and the best Morningside Heights hangout spot!
Where are you from?
I am originally from New Britain, Connecticut.
What brought you to TC?
I was attracted to working at TC because of its incredible reputation as a school of education. Before coming here, I tutored in middle and high schools in Connecticut, and through that experience, I learned about TC and connected to some faculty members. When I was looking for new opportunities, I saw TC was hiring an Admission Coordinator and knew it was the perfect next step in my career.
What does an Admission Coordinator do?
I work closely with prospective and admitted students to answer questions about our programs and the application process. I work with programs in four of our academic departments: Curriculum and Teaching; International and Transcultural Studies; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Organization and Leadership. I also work on the recruitment side of the Admission team, so my projects are focused on events, like creating PowerPoint slides and hosting information sessions.
What is your favorite spot to hang out on campus or in the Morningside Heights area?
I love to spend my free time in the area at Riverside Park. It’s just a few blocks from TC’s campus, providing the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. The park is massive and has so much to offer: hiking trails, tennis courts, a skate park, river views, beautiful nature, and a national monument! When the weather allows, I always spend my lunch break relaxing and rejuvenating in the park before continuing on with my day.
What is your favorite food in NYC?
Oh gosh, this is such a hard question! One of my favorite things to do in the city is explore all the incredible types of cuisine, so I have many favorites across the boroughs. If I have to pick just one, I have to shout out Birria-Landia, my favorite taco truck. They have trucks stationed in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and they only serve birria! Whenever I go, I always order a few tacos and a tostada, and in the colder months, I’ll add a cup of consomme. I can confidently proclaim they are the best tacos I’ve had in NYC — and the New York Times agrees!
If someone only had one day in NYC, what would you tell them they must do?
If you only have one day in the city, make a plan that allows you to do as many things as you love within a centralized area! This city can be exhausting if you don’t pace yourself, so pick the activity you want to do the most and go from there. I suggest entering a Broadway lottery to try to win affordable tickets to a Broadway show, explore the theater district, and then take the A train down to Chelsea to check out Little Island. My best piece of advice for NYC day-trippers is to make sure you know where the public bathrooms are!
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Outside of work, you can find me enjoying my favorite seasonal hobby! In the warmer months, I take advantage of the weather by learning how to skateboard. I live near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which has been a great place to practice my new skills! Once the cold hits, I’ll be at home knitting and tending to my house plants. In the spring and summer, I’ll emerge from my cocoon and get back into the parks with skating, writing, and yoga! I love NYC for its abundance of options at every season — no matter what you’re into, you’ll find something you love here in the city. For someone like me with a huge range of interests, it couldn’t be a better place to live!
What is your favorite thing about living in New York?
My favorite thing about living in NYC is the subway! It is such a blessing to live in a city with such a robust public transportation system. I love that I can use my commute to read and write rather than stare through a windshield. I also love learning the train routes so I can get where I need to go even if my phone is dead and impress my friends with my subway skills when they come to visit.