colin powell school
Student Leila Cole '25: “Never Be Ashamed to Ask for Help”
Leila Cole, born in Sierra Leone and raised in the U.S., originally aspired to be a computer animator before shifting to the fashion industry. Feeling unfulfilled, she resigned from a strategic role in a luxury jewelry company and enrolled at CCNY. The passion for addressing global issues, especially injustices against women and children, led her to pursue International Studies at the Colin Powell School.
Please share a little about your background — what’s your story?
I was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and arrived in the States when I was four. Despite being the product of two legal professionals, my trajectory towards law wasn't initially apparent. As a profoundly artistic child, my early aspirations leaned towards computer animation, fueled by a fascination with cartoons and comics. However, a shift occurred around my sophomore year of high school, inspired by my immersion in the pages of fashion magazines — Teen Vogue and Seventeen Magazine, courtesy of my Aunt's subscriptions. Recognizing that the world of fashion was where I envisioned building my career, I enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Following my graduation from FIT, I spent years working in the industry, culminating in my role as a strategist for a luxury jewelry company — an exciting prospect since they had been my dream client during my fashion studies.
Despite this, a few months into the role, I began to feel a sense of unfulfillment. It became clear that my acute awareness of local and global issues was steering me towards a different path, beyond the confines of the fashion world. In November of 2022, I made the challenging decision to resign from my fashion role. In December of the same year, I applied to City College and received acceptance in the first week of January 2023. This led to my enrollment in the Spring 2023 semester, commencing less than three weeks later. The rest is history!
What is your passion or purpose behind your studies at CCNY?
I decided to pursue International Studies with a minor in Human Rights and concentration in culture and communication because of my heightened awareness of local and global issues. The persistence of crimes against humanity, social and economic disparities among communities, and injustices targeting the world’s most vulnerable — particularly women and children — underscore the urgency for proactive engagement. My aspiration is to serve others and be a catalyst for meaningful change.
Where are you in your career? How has the Colin Powell School helped you along the way?
I’m pursuing a second bachelor’s degree at CCNY — a Bachelor of Art (BA), with plans on going to law school after completion of this program. Coming to CCNY was honestly such a blessing. I’m able to benefit from such a quality education at an affordable cost, one that’s really opening my eyes to other local issues and perspectives I was not previously aware of. During my first semester, I enrolled in the Braven Accelerator course, which was particularly valuable given my recent career transition. Through this course, I was paired with an exceptional learning coach from Google, had the opportunity to meet industry leaders at events, and was part of one of the winning teams for the capstone challenge with Brooks Brothers! Towards the end of the Spring semester, I was accepted into the Honors Program for Legal Studies. This has made the prospect of law school feel much more attainable and tangible, bringing it closer to reality. There are such an abundance of resources that we have access to in this undergrad program.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Law school! I aspire to specialize in international law. Being born in a country marked by civil unrest, I am drawn to advocating for the rights of women and children in war-torn regions. My goal is to be a voice for the underrepresented.
Please share a significant memory and/or accomplishment from your time at CCNY.
Winning the Capstone Challenge with Braven in collaboration with Brooks Brothers was a moment of immense pride. Additionally, being accepted into the Honors Program for Legal Studies served as a strong vote of confidence, affirming that I am on the right path and capable of achieving my goals.
One notable memory involves taking Professor Matthew Reilly's Critical Race Theory class during my first semester at City College. Professor Reilly is an exemplary ally. He approached the sensitive course material on Indigenous populations and culture with great respect. The class provided me with the opportunity to uncover historical aspects I hadn't learned before — crucial history that should be acknowledged to prevent the repetition of past injustices.
Do you have any advice you could give to current or future students?
Never be ashamed to ask for help. There are resources here at CCNY to make the journey easier. Some of the resources are more obvious and easily accessible than others but they’re there. Also, make sure to pay attention to your CCNY emails! I’ve found so many gems there — career opportunities, events, paid workshops!
How would you describe CPS in three words?
Humbling, motivating and revelatory!