![\"Shakeil](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shakeil-Thomas-786x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA Smart Investment in Her Future<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For Shakeil, choosing a graduate program\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just<\/em>\u00a0about interest. It was about value.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n After earning her\u00a0bachelor\u2019s degree in Dental\u00a0Hygiene in Jamaica, Shakeil discovered that practicing in the United States would require her to retake significant undergraduate coursework. Instead of repeating what she had already\u00a0accomplished, she made a strategic decision: invest in a graduate degree that would expand her opportunities and move her forward.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI was looking for something affordable, flexible, and aligned with my new career goals,\u201d she explains. \u201cSUNY Poly checked all the boxes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With competitive tuition, strong program outcomes, flexible part-time and full-time enrollment options, fully online asynchronous classes, and individualized guidance from faculty, the MS in Health Informatics offered a clear return on investment\u2014not just financially, but professionally.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Instead of stepping away from her career, Shakeil was able to build on it. Today, she\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0just collect patient data. She understands how to use it to improve care, streamline systems, and drive better outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Built for Real Life\u2014Not Put on Hold\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Like many graduate students, Shakeil was already juggling work and life responsibilities. Graduate school had to fit into everything else, not replace it. \u201cThe flexibility made all the difference,\u201d she says. \u201cI could work and study at the same time, even when it meant long days and late nights.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The program\u2019s asynchronous format allowed her to learn on her schedule without sacrificing her goals or her income.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And when\u00a0things\u00a0felt\u00a0overwhelming? She says, \u201cI never felt alone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A Support System That Shows Up\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the defining parts of Shakeil\u2019s experience\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just what she\u00a0learned;\u00a0it was who supported her along the way. \u201cThe faculty support was something I had never experienced before,\u201d she says. \u201cMy professors were not only highly knowledgeable, but also incredibly warm and welcoming. They were always available to guide and encourage me \u2014 especially when I was trying to balance everything \u2014 and their support kept me motivated throughout the program.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That support extended beyond the classroom. From peer study sessions to simple moments of encouragement, Shakeil found herself part of a community of students that understood the challenges of graduate study, often motivating one another to keep moving forward. \u201cWhen I felt overwhelmed, I had people who reminded me why I started.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Skills That Translate\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Throughout the program, Shakeil\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0just learn concepts. She built real, applicable skills. From coding in Python and SQL to data analysis, database management, and quality improvement tools, every course pushed her forward.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cIt was exciting,\u201d she says. \u201cEverything we learned connected to what\u2019s happening right now in healthcare\u2014especially with AI and data.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One standout moment? Competing in a global machine learning competition. In her final semester, Shakeil\u2019s Quality Improvement professor encouraged her and her classmates to enter the Kaggle machine learning competition for the Titanic disaster. \u201cThis was brand new territory for me,\u201d she says. \u201cI ranked 1,598 out of over 15,000 participants. That was a huge accomplishment for me and proof of how far\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0come.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Facing Doubt and Moving Forward Anyway\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Shakeil\u2019s journey\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0without challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Moving to a new country. Starting a new career path. Learning in a fully online environment.\u00a0Balancing work and school. \u201cThere was anxiety at the beginning,\u201d she admits. \u201cI wanted to do well. I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know what to expect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But instead of letting fear stop her, she leaned into it. \u201cI reminded myself: others have done this before\u00a0me,\u00a0and I can do it too.\u201d That mindset, combined with support from faculty, peers, and her own determination, carried her through. \u201cEven when I had moments of self-doubt, I remembered everything\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0already overcome before I even started this journey. I chose to believe that this is where I was supposed to be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Today, Shakeil is driven by a clear purpose: improving the quality of care for all patients.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI\u2019m passionate about reducing disparities in healthcare,\u201d she says. \u201cData can help us identify gaps and improve outcomes, no matter someone\u2019s race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.\u201d\u00a0She\u2019s\u00a0also focused on making healthcare systems more efficient and using technology to reduce repetitive work and improve workflows for providers.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s\u00a0a future she\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0just imagine\u2014she built.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n