August 2024

August 2024
Joshua Sankowski

Q & A:

1. What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
   Oh wow! This is a tough question – there are so many! I love politics, hence the poli sci major, so I would have to say that any political science class with Dr. Carolyn Dudek would be at the top of my list! The conversation alone was just so enriching. I also minored in English and fine arts. History and culture and the study of how we got to where we are now fascinates me. Greek Literature with Dr. Steven Smith was a standout course for me. Learning about Shakespeare in detail and talking for hours on end about The Globe Theatre with Dr. Iska Alter is another pivotal moment to me. Letting control go and learning to really be in the moment and painting watercolors is a beloved memory of mine with Professor David Pushkin. I was also very involved with Hofstra Hillel during my time at Hofstra, and no story at Hofstra would be complete without mentioning Jewish studies with the beloved Rabbi Meir Mitelman (Rabs). Rabs will be forever missed, and I will always be grateful to him for helping shape my Hofstra experience in the best way possible. I do have to say that one of the coolest memories for me at Hofstra was when Hofstra hosted the presidential debate on October 15, 2008, between Barack Obama and John McCain, moderated by Bob Schieffer! I was so lucky to be able to attend the presidential debate at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. I sat in the fifth row, and it was one of the coolest moments of all time. I even got to meet and talk politics with Rosario Dawson, who was sitting near us!
2. What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned there?
   Growing up, I always thought I would become either an architect or an environmental lawyer. When deciding on the poli sci route, I plotted that the next step would be law school. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was at my internship in D.C. with then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's office. It was an amazing experience. This internship was facilitated by Hofstra's Political Science Department through SUNY Brockport. I lived in Virginia and worked on Capitol Hill in D.C. while receiving school credit. I worked with some of Senator Clinton's legal team at the time, and their advice to me was not to go to law school directly after graduating undergrad from Hofstra, but to work in a law firm first. That was magical advice. I worked at a law firm as a legal assistant and realized that I did not want to be a lawyer, at all. It was my first "real job," and I learned a lot but also recognized that "my plan" was not right for me. It was an important two years for me, which then led me to “accidentally falling upon” the nonprofit world.
3. What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
   After leaving the law firm, I kind of stumbled upon the nonprofit world. I started my career at the nonprofit The Housing Council. My work was focused on helping the homeless population, education for tenants and landlords, and helping those with addiction issues gain access to recovery services and safe housing. Starting at a program level has helped me work more efficiently and empathetically on a more global level. I saw what our clients went through. I saw their barriers and their struggles, and at my core, I want to help people. I have that same passion today. In my heart, everyone should have access to affordable, safe, and nice housing. And I don't think I'll ever stop advocating and working toward that goal. The Housing Council affiliated with PathStone Corporation, and I made the move over to work with our real estate development team on actually preserving or creating supportive and affordable housing. Twelve years later, and I am now the director of corporate partnerships at PathStone.
4. What advice would you give Hofstra students?
   Keep your eyes open to all possibilities and opportunities that come your way. I was that student who saw a flyer or heard of something happening on campus, and I would attend. I attended some really cool events while I was a student. Keeping an open mind has helped shape the person I am today. I also met my best friends at Hofstra. I do not know what life would be like without them and, more importantly, I do not want to know! Truly be yourself, do what makes you happy, and do not sweat the small stuff (that stuff does not matter in the grand scheme). Nevertheless, being open, being authentically you, and living your truth: That is what matters and that is what lasts. I’m so thankful to Hofstra for embracing me and helping shape who I am.  I think about Hofstra all the time, and it’s a major part of me.
5. In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
   Dazzling
6. What is a typical day like for the director of corporate partnerships with PathStone Corporation?
   I don't think I've had a typical day in my job ever, and that keeps things fresh and exciting! I try to be as proactive as possible in my position, but a lot of it is reactive. And it's how we react that really matters. Under our CEO, I work on a lot of PathStone's public relations, communications, and relationship building and upkeep with new and existing funders, community partners, and governmental entities. PathStone is headquartered in Rochester, NY, and our programming spans nine different states and Puerto Rico. I would sum up our services as fitting into: 1) affordable housing services, 2) direct-to-client services, and 3) small business lending.
7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see your career progressing in the future?
   Hopefully, still happy! Haha. This question is so difficult because I love being in control of my destiny, but at the same time, life finds a way of being unpredictable. I know that the nonprofit world is where I am supposed to be. I can only imagine a future where I am continuing to help people and the communities we live in. Prioritizing the well-being of others is super important to me, and I hope to continue to grow in servant leadership.
8. What is the single most rewarding/exciting experience in your career thus far?
   It is a combination of things: the people I work with and the people we help. Finding solutions to problems and connecting others to opportunities is what we do best. Helping aid Puerto Rico when devastating Hurricane Maria hit in 2017, followed by horrific earthquakes not too long after, was super tough. It has been very rewarding not only to see the rebuilding of homes, but to see people actually thriving now. Communities came together to help. Partnerships were formed. The common goal was to help. That is what I live for!
9. How has your job influenced your mentality as a person?
   I’m not going to lie; my job is stressful at times. Nevertheless, I love what I do. I love what we do at PathStone. I feel like I have become a more patient and understanding person because of what we do. I have always been an extremely efficient person, and I have to combine that operations part of myself with the program and human part, so that they flow together.
10. What is the hardest/toughest part of your job?
    Finding a life/work balance. Just because I go home, does not always mean that my job is done. In addition, while remote work has made some things easier, it's hard to see boundaries at times. There is always something to do, and someone to help, and I will never cease to not make that a priority. However, I do need to remind myself from time to time that just like on an airplane, I need to put my oxygen mask on first before helping others.