“Facing and Overcoming Challenges Leads to Growth”
- Alexander Honor, Aspiring Psychotherapist, Receives Scholarship to Further His Studies
Alexander Honor, a senior in the Psychology Department at the Colin Powell School, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Marilyn Seskin Scholarship. This funding for this award comes from a gift to CCNY from the late Dr. Seskin, who graduated from the CCNY Psychology Department in 1970 and remained a firm believer in the college’s mission of supporting first-generation college students. In this interview, Honor discusses his struggle… Read More »
“The Things that Scare Me are What I Need to Focus on”
- MPA Student Naomi Moskowitz on Her Struggle to Rebuild Her Life
“There is beauty in change,” says Naomi Moskowitz, a student in the Master in Public Administration (MPA) program. “If something is not working for you, then figure out a way to change it.” After being raised in an orthodox religious community that severely limited women’s education and opportunities, Moskowitz made the decision to leave and forge a new life. In this interview, she tells her story of working full-time and caring for her children while… Read More »
Finding Strength in Setbacks, from Hurricane María to Mental Health
After Hurricane María tore apart her community in Puerto Rico, Mónica Martínez-Raga enrolled at CCNY with tuition support that New York State provided to hurricane victims. In this interview, she tells her story of overcoming personal battles with mental health and self-confidence, falling in love with the study of economics, and taking full advantage of the opportunities available through the Colin Powell School. She emphasizes the importance of showing up to events, learning to… Read More »
“Surround Yourself with Those Who Share your Passions”: Shilpa Shaju on Her Path to Become an Immigration Attorney
SHILPA SHAJU,
a Colin Powell School Graduate, Named CCNY Salutatorian
Where are you from? Please share a little of your story.
My parents immigrated to the US from Kerala, India. They then settled in Queens, New York and later moved to New Hyde Park on Long Island. I grew up in New Hyde Park and attended middle school and high school there. I would say I grew up in a pretty homogenous town, considering that most of my graduating class was either
South Asian or white. I really only understood what true diversity… Read More »
Beyond the Syllabus and the Textbook: Sangida Akter on Intellectual Agency and Validating Students’ Life Experiences
Sangida Akter
2021 Salutatorian for Colin Powell School
1. Where are you from and what is your background? Please share your story from the
period before you arrived at CCNY.
My parents are originally from Bangladesh. I was born in Los Angeles, then moved to Queens, NYC where I have spent most of my life. However, for a period of years I did live in Saudi Arabia and often visit Bangladesh. In that way, I feel like I have a foot in both hemispheres. This is probably why the influence of… Read More »
Tony Huertas
2021 Salutatorian for Colin Powell School
Where are you from? Please share a little of your story.
I am a proud student of Puerto Rican descent, born and raised in NYC. I am also a member of the LGBTQ community and I have a disability. I returned to the classroom after a thirty-year absence because I realized that there was more that I wanted to accomplish and there is no expiration date for learning and realizing the dream of graduating from college. As a member of the… Read More »
Aisha Fuenzalida Butt
2021 Valedictorian for Colin Powell School
1. Where are you from and what is your background? Please share your story from the
period before you arrived at CCNY.
I am a first-generation college student from a low income family. I grew up in Staten Island in a bilingual, multiethnic Chilean-Pakistani household. I was raised by my single mother and older sister in a family made up solely of resilient women. There was always an abundance of arroz con leche and roti… Read More »
“It Is Ok Not to Know What You Want to Do,” Xin Ying Wu on Discovering Her Path in Public Service
As an undergraduate, Xin Ying Wu studied economics, intending to apply what she learned to her family’s Chinese food restaurant, where she had worked as an adolescent after migrating to the US as a child. Then a chance encounter in the Colin Powell School Fellowships Office - along with deep conversations with colleagues, mentors, and fellow students - led her to discover a passion for public service. She now works in the New York State Assembly and will finish her… Read More »
Nonya Khedr (Class of ‘21) Is on a Mission to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
Nonya Khedr is an Egyptian immigrant and student of international studies and human rights at the Colin Powell School. As a student she developed a deep commitment to advocating for women and eradicating the practice of Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C) globally. Focusing on this goal, she started an organization called SheFFA with support from the Zahn startup incubator, re-established the United Nations campus chapter, and was both a Colin Powell Fellow and… Read More »
Tell me about your background. Where are you from?
I am from here. I was born and raised in the Bronx. I’m Puerto Rican and Dominican. My mom was born in PR, my dad in DR. They both came at fairly young ages to the United States. We grew up working class. We never had much but I was always fortunate and blessed to have food, clothing, and all the necessary things while still being able to get quality education at public schools. I attended public schools my whole life in the Bronx. I went to Health Opportunities High School. At that time, I thought I wanted to be… Read More »
Last Updated: 01/31/2020 15:52