A Macaulay Pioneer Alumna Christine Curella

Christine Curella ’08 embodies the values and vision of Macaulay Honors College. Her accomplishments and dedication won her Macaulay’s Pioneer award for 2018. This award recognizes alumni who have used their Macaulay education both to achieve professional success and to solve the challenges facing our city, nation, and world.

“The name Pioneer is really apt,” said Christine. “I was one of the first classes out of Macaulay. There were no alums. We were creating something new.”

Christine has spent the 10 years since her graduation in public service. Currently, as director of business initiatives and job quality in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, she leads programs and policies to improve job quality in a way that benefits both businesses and employees. The Aspen Institute recognized this work by naming Christine a Job Quality Fellow in 2017.

Christine gives back to Macaulay as an alumni mentor. “I’ve helped students explore career paths in public service and social impact,” she said, “and consider how to talk about their unique experience, often as first-generation college grads.” This “invigorating” work, she said, “affirms my pride in Macaulay and CUNY” as institutions that “bring equity and equality to the city.”

Alumni Pioneer Award Recipients:

2023: Michelle Pelan ’12 and Noa Krawcyk ’12
2022: Zuobin Tang ’05 
2021: Liat Krawczyk ’09
2019: Brian Kateman ’11 and Sasha Ahuja ’09
2018: Christine Curella ’08
2017: Mary Pennisi ’08
2016: Thomas Brigandi ’12