BA in History to Generative AI!
Mrs. Monique Watson is a native New Yorker and former foster care youth who has persevered through many challenges to become an accomplished professional in the nonprofit sector. She earned her BA from Stony Brook University in 2014, double majoring in History and Political Science, and her Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College.
Mrs. Watson began her career at a community center in East Harlem, where she developed and implemented student programming while providing direct academic support. Her commitment to student advocacy and educational equity was shaped by seeing the stark differences in access and opportunity that she and her brother experienced while attending school in two different New York City boroughs, along with her belief in education as a pathway to social mobility.
She joined the College Board – most widely known for developing and administering standardized college entrance exams such as the SAT – in 2016, spending her first five years in disability services. She later managed “Real Talk”, an innovative virtual series connecting underserved students with college and career planning professionals. Across both roles, her work expanded access, strengthened student support, and created more equitable pathways to educational opportunity.
Mrs. Watson now serves as the Director of Generative AI Strategy within College Board’s GenAI Studio. She leads responsible use of AI organization-wide, helping teams rethink their workflows and identify high-impact ways to use generative AI to support College Board’s mission. She also develops prototypes, supports internal transformation, and promotes responsible AI adoption, and is known for her collaborative leadership style.
Mrs. Watson’s career reflects a deep commitment to expanding opportunity, driving meaningful change, and developing practical solutions that help people and organizations meet the moment.