On beginning my doctoral research, Dr. Karla Sarai Basurto Gutierrez guided me to see the need to think about the most precious capital that the Adventist Church has: its members, since the structure of the Adventist ecclesiastical system is based on the local congregation. Her ability, knowledge and quality presentations steered me towards developing my research thinking about how I could contribute ideas to the Seventh-day Adventist global organization through a scientific model, aimed at improving the quality of life of its members, and analyzing the impact it would have on members commitment and contribution to the growth and development of the church.
One of the skillsets that have been polished is that of being a negotiator. As a trained and certified mediator in the Dutchess County Court System of New York, I have helped in the settling of small claims. As a member, I was also involved with the Dutchess County Re-entry Task Force representing the Seventh-day Adventist church.
One notable decision taken by the Dutchess Community College is the removal of the “box” that required former inmates to check and caused many to turned away from attending the college. At one of our meetings, where the Vice-Dean gave a presentation, I tabled a motion asking for a 5-man delegation from the Dutchess County and Dutchess County Task Force to meet with the college’s administration and demand a removal of the box. I am proud to report, that in 2016 the college removed that requirement from its admission application. (See DCC Application 2020)
