Uncrowned Community Builders

Thomasina Laurice Cook was born in Niagara Falls, New York. She is the daughter of the late Amanda and Thomas Cook. She attended and graduated from Niagara Falls public schools. After graduation, she continued her education and received Associates degrees in Criminal Justice and Chemical Dependency Counseling, Bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and Psychology, Master's degrees in criminal justice and Mental Health Counseling, and she completed her doctoral work in Counselor Education and Supervision with a concentration in Victimology.

She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Yoga Instructor, National Clinical Domestic Violence Counselor, Certified Life Coach, and a Certified Christian Counselor. Thomasina is the Department Chair of Criminal Justice at Erie Community College, City Campus. Her department is the largest major at the college and is the fifth producer of Associates degrees in Criminal Justice in the nation.

Her previous employment was at Niagara County Sheriff's Department and Niagara Falls Police Department. She also, teaches in the counseling department as an adjunct at the following colleges, Empire State College, Medaille College, and Niagara University. In addition, she maintains a small private counseling practice where she specializes in the forensic population.

She is an active member of Frontier Chapter #21, Order of Eastern Star, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Buffalo Chapter, National Association of Parliamentarians and the Niagara Falls (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She has served in leadership roles in all the above organizations.

Other professional affiliations include: Board Member of Friends of Niagara Falls Public Library; Member of the Task Force on the Women of Color to End Domestic Violence; Board Member, Fellowship House Incorporated; Youth Advisor for the Zeta Pearlettes Club; Sigma Beta Club of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Parental Advisory Committee; Niagara University College Education Advisory Committee; New York State Mental Health Counselor Association and the New York State Criminal Justice Educators.

Ms. Cook is the recipient of numerous awards including Faculty of the Year Award by Student Government Association at Erie Community College, Niagara University's Counselor of the Year and the PEACE, Inc. Community Service Award.

Ms. Cook currently resides in Niagara Falls with her two sons, Tahir and Tristan.