Keeping Busy

SJNY Online student Tia Blake finds success in and outside the classroom.

Tia Blake ’25 is an SJNY Online student who wears many hats. In addition to her current courses as a health care administration major, she is a coding auditor for cardiology physicians at Northwell Health and a professional vocalist who has appeared in feature films.

Singing since she was two years old, Ms. Blake’s talent was discovered when she belted out “The Sun Will Come Out” in perfect pitch after viewing the movie “Annie” with her mother. Since then, she has consistently earned recognition for her singing.

In 2013, she was cast in a principal role as a choir singer in the film “Black Nativity,” where she was asked to teach actor and film producer Forest Whitaker the lead to “Be Grateful.” She also worked with singer and songwriter Raphael Saadiq, and sang on the soundtrack.

Most recently, she won a 2023 Northwell Health talent competition and sings for various churches and events.

Ms. Blake—who was on track to graduate from SJNY Online this winter—will continue her work as a certified professional coder and coding auditor, but she would also like to pursue further opportunities in film, TV and Broadway.

“What I like most about St. Joe’s is that I have had some of the most amazing professors,” she said. “Enrolling as an online student in my 40s was intimidating, but my professors were so kind, helpful, patient and extremely supportive.

“I absolutely love the program itself, which helped me to expand my knowledge and work more efficiently in my current profession,” she added.

Through PELA, which allows students to earn credits for previous work and experience, Ms. Blake accumulated 21 credits, saving her more than $16,000 and allowing her to graduate sooner than expected.

“I’m extremely grateful that the PELA program allowed me to save both money and time because I have a demanding full-time career in addition to being a student,” she said. “It saved me a tremendous amount of money, especially since I pay for my classes out of my pocket.”