Michelle Fontanez currently serves as an Assistant Division Director for Community Centers for Cypress Hills Local Development, located in Brooklyn, New York. Michelle Fontanez started her doctoral journey in 2014, however she had to take an intermission from my previous Doctoral Program. In June 2015, Michelle Fontanez was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer and had to undergo many surgeries. Thankfully, she survived and is now considered a Cancer Survivor. Upon receiving permission to continue her doctoral journey, Michelle was thrilled and yet fearful.