Congratulations to our June 2026 Member of the Month (MeMo) Latiqua Washington! National College Attainment Network (NCAN) staff asked her both professional and personal questions so you can get to know her and the work she does better.
Name: Latiqua Washington
Location: New York, NY
Alma Mater: Hobart and William Smith Colleges and CUNY Lehman
Title and Organization: Deputy Director of Postsecondary Access and Success Counseling at Goddard Riverside Options Center
Professional Questions
Q: What brought you to the college access and success field initially?
A: I previously worked in youth employment where we would facilitate sessions on college readiness during orientation. As a first-generation college graduate, I was excited to share insights about opportunities that can be explored during college, as well as address myths and potential challenges. From that experience, I recall having a desire to develop further expertise so I could facilitate to the unique needs of different populations. Fortunately, as that position was concluding, my supervisor was able to share a job posting for a role in college advisement. I am eternally grateful for the nudge and encouragement to transition to this field.
Q: What do you love most about your role or organization?
A: I love that my organization is a part of the settlement house legacy, which allows us to approach our work from a holistic lens. In addition to individualized advisement supports, we are also able to have an impact via training, advocacy, and coalition building via collective impact.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being an NCAN member?
A: I love that my organization is a part of the settlement house legacy, which allows us to approach our work from a holistic lens. In addition to individualized advisement supports, we are also able to have an impact via training, advocacy, and coalition building via collective impact.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are new to college attainment work?
A: Stay curious! Lean into life-long learning and find ways to be an advocate. Our field is constantly evolving and students needs are vast. We have to continuously upskill our knowledge.
Personality Questions
Every month, our MeMos will be answering some fun questions to help us get to know their “out of office” side!
Q: If you were dropped into any movie or TV show as a new main character, what movie or TV show would you pick and why?
A: The Fifth Element. Between ancient mythology, intergalactic travel, and saving the world, I am all in.
Q: You get to host a dinner party with five people, dead or alive, famous or not. Who are you hosting?
A: Zora Neale Hurston, Celia Cruz, Josephine Baker, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, and Octavia Butler.
Q: What's one thing you'd like to cross off your personal bucket list? Is there one thing you've crossed off already that you're really proud of?
A: Learn to play an instrument.
Q: What’s one topic, not related to education/college attainment, that you could give an impromptu 45-minute TED Talk about?
A: Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe.