Alumni Profile: Patricia Schaap, Class of 2004

Posted: December 11, 2024
A professional woman with long brown hair is seated at a desk in an office. She is wearing a navy blazer over a white patterned blouse and is smiling while holding a pen and writing in a folder. The desk is equipped with dual computer monitors, a keyboard, and various office supplies. A framed certificate hangs on the wall behind her, and a black office chair is visible in the foreground.

Tompkins Cortland Community College graduates often put their talents to work for their home community. Patricia Schaap is no exception, using her time at TC3 as a springboard to a career making a difference in Cortland County. 

Schaap graduated from TC3 with a degree in Human Services in 2004 and continued on for her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland in 2006. She went right to work with Catholic Charities of Cortland County, serving the community in that role for 13 years before moving to a job with Cortland County in 2019. She became Deputy Director of Community Service in 2022, the same year she started work on her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Syracuse University. She completed her MSW in August 2024 and two months later was promoted to Director of Community Services for Cortland County.

“My time at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) was foundational to both my personal and professional journey. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and support I received there, which equipped me for further college studies and shaped the person I am today. TC3 was instrumental in building the skills and resilience that continue to guide me in my professional role.”

Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland? I chose TC3 because it was close to home and I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to do with my life.  I knew I wanted to work with people and make a difference in my community so the Human Service program seemed like a great fit. 

How did your college experience at Tompkins Cortland prepare you for what came next (career and/or transfer)?  Starting at TC3, I knew I was preparing to continue my education at SUNY Cortland. TC3 provided a strong foundation that shaped my academic and professional skills, setting me up for success in both my continued studies and career.

Who at TC3 had the greatest positive impact on your experience or your future? One of the most impactful figures during my time at TC3 was Professor Ken McEwan, who sparked my interest in social work and the human services field. He was incredibly direct yet passionate, both in teaching and in his work beyond the classroom. His dedication was inspiring, and I credit him for instilling in me a lasting passion for helping others. Note: McEwan was conferred Professor Emeritus in 2017.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to yourself (or anyone) when you started at TC3?Celebrate taking this first step toward your future! Keep an open mind, stay curious, and never stop learning. Embrace each experience and piece of knowledge along the way—you’ll be a better person for it.

What does the TC3 mean to you now (both in your own life and your professional role)? My time at TC3 was foundational to both my personal and professional journey. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and support I received there, which equipped me for further college studies and shaped the person I am today. TC3 was instrumental in building the skills and resilience that continue to guide me in my professional role.