2025 - Ivelis Parwulski

2025 BEOC Distinguished Alumni Award

BEOC Class of 1995

Ms. Ivelis Parwulski’s journey has brought her back to BEOC, a major crossroad she traversed years ago as a student who sought direction. She is currently the BEOC Admissions Administrative Staff Assistant where she exudes the same sense of hope for students, like she received from BEOC.

Mrs.Ivelis Parwulski.

"The EOC was my connection with hope."

Her search for “hope” evolved from her life experiences as a divorcee, single parent of 4 children and a domestic violence survivor. “BEOC gave me and my family hope”, she says. Noting that her mother graduated from the BEOC College Preparation program and was an LPN for 40 years, and her daughter is a current BEOC GED student, Ivelis emphasizes the power of optimism and opportunity.

“Evie” worked factory jobs and received social services support for a large portion of her life. Turning to BEOC for “hope”, she earned her GED and for the next 17 years worked as a cashier, childcare provider, waitress, receptionist and customer service representative, rolling off public assistance. Ready to take her next step, she reached out again to the Center and an advisor referred her to BOCES, where she graduated as an LPN and worked in nursing homes, at Davita Dialysis and for a private family providing end of life care. Her career progressed to working at Sykes Call Center where she triaged patients in Western New York and California providing tech support for insulin pumps and urgent care. Upon Covid, her position went remote, and Ivelis sought a different position where she could interact face to face with people. She accepted a position at Tesla as a Customer Service Representative and was soon promoted to a Floor Walker/Troubleshooter and then Supervisor.

Ivelis was laid off at Tesla and she reassessed her career. Connecting again with BEOC, she was informed of an internal allied health adjunct position. Ivelis interviewed, as her call center and healthcare experience professionally matched BEOC’s needs. She was hired and taught customer service and medical office procedures for the Registered Medical Assistant program in 2024. The ‘optimism of opportunity’ arose again and in early 2025, Ivelis accepted the Admissions role. Ivelis says she strives to personalize the admissions process by extending “hope” to each student.

Ms. Ivelis Parwulski comments, “I can count on me now because of BEOC. Hope does spring eternal.”

Alumni Affairs and Student Development Office