It's not how you start... it's where you finish
2020 - Marlyce Godoy
2020 UBEOC Distinguished Alumni Award
UBEOC Class of 2011
Ms. Marlyce Godoy credits the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (UBEOC) for her “…new beginning”. Ms. Godoy was born in Belize and came to the United States when she was six years old. Although she was raised outside New York City, she decided to attend college at the University at Buffalo. She dropped out of college after becoming pregnant and raised her daughter as a single mother while receiving public assistance and working at a local restaurant.
"UBEOC helped me forge my career path"
Upon seeing a flyer highlighting tuition free programs at the UBEOC, Ms. Godoy enrolled in the Dental Assisting program. While the UBEOC paid for her education and vocational training, she received support for transportation costs, childcare, uniforms and certification fees through a partnership between the UBEOC and the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC).
Upon completion of her 300-hour clinical externship and earning her certification from the Dental Assistant National Board, Ms. Godoy was hired as a certified Dental Assistant at the WNY Dental Group, where she is still employed. Ms. Godoy’s commitment to education and personal excellence led her to complete two Associate degrees, one in Dental Hygiene, from SUNY Erie. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Career and Technical Education from Buffalo State College, with an overall GPA of 3.97. During her educational program she returned to UBEOC to complete her student teaching requirements while mentoring minority students in the program. Ms. Godoy completed these academic accomplishments at the same time she was raising her daughter as a single parent. In 2018, Ms. Godoy received a Cultural Diversity Graduate Fellowship from SUNY Buffalo State College, which covered full tuition as a Graduate Assistant. Ms. Godoy completed her Master of Science degree in CTE with an overall GPA of 4.0.
Ms. Godoy is an Assistant Professor/Clinical Instructor in the Dental Hygiene program at SUNY Erie and proudly serves as President of the Buffalo Chapter of the American Dental Hygienists Association. She is currently researching doctoral programs and scholarships, and plans to transition from the clinical setting to education once she has completed a doctoral degree. Her community commitment is reflected through her volunteer work with the YMCA, Buffalo Public Schools and Niagara County Schools where she has participated in Healthy Kids Days, Dental Career Fairs and Breast Cancer Awareness events. In addition, she participates in the following nonprofit organizations, Brown Girl, RDH and MOCHA (which supports young minority women in their quest to become successful in their lives and careers).
Alumni Affairs and Student Development Office