Denetra Christian was born and raised in Richmond Hill, Queens, where she still lives with two of her sisters and her mother, who is employed as a CUNY campus security officer at LaGuardia Community College. “We’re all very close,” Christian says proudly. “My mom taught us the value of a college education.”
        “I chose to come to Brooklyn College to get my education,” Christian adds, “because, after a lot of research, I found out that the business program provides an opportunity for a successful career. I started three years ago and will be graduating in the spring with my B.S. in business management and finance.”
        In addition to being a student, for the past two years Christian has worked in the Registrar’s Office. “It’s great to work in an office setting,” she says. “We help students all the time.” She adds: “Everyone in the office is amazing. We’re like family. At twenty-two, I’m the second youngest.”
        Christian is pleased that the Target store at the Junction has finally opened. “I can go out on my lunch hour and do some shopping,” she says.         “There are a lot of things I need but don’t have the time to get, and it will be nice to be able to sit down at a restaurant table to eat lunch with a friend.”
        In her off-hours, Christian plays basketball—she was a member of her high school varsity team—and visits the gym. “I’m a real gym junkie,” she laughs.
        Her life is not all fun and games, however. “I’m thinking about getting my master’s,” she confides. “Maybe at Baruch.”