Sarah Aponte,
Chief Librarian, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Professor, The City College of New York Libraries
Sarah Aponte’s journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming the Chief Librarian at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute (DSI) at CCNY is a story of resilience and dedication. In 1994, Aponte spearheaded the creation of the Dominican Library at DSI. Starting with community donations, she built it into the leading U.S. resource on Dominican studies. The library now holds the largest collection of Dominican self-published… Read More »
Meet Nica Genestin ’22: A Story of Resilience and Determination
Nica Genestin, a 2022 alum, embodies resilience and determination. She immigrated to the U.S. at five, facing numerous challenges with her family before starting her higher education journey at Borough of Manhattan Community College and later transferring to CCNY. Initially drawn to biology, Genestin discovered her true passion for political science through internships at the Social Science Research Council and Democracy Corps. Today, she serves as the Program Coordinator at Barnard… Read More »
Yana Kucheva: Championing Housing Justice and Community Engagement
Professor Yana Kucheva, interim chair of the Sociology Department at CCNY, explores the intricate intersections of housing, social inequality, and justice, She is also deeply engaged in community-based research. Currently the interim director of CCNY’s Sociology Department, Kucheva channels her passion for teaching and mentorship, inspired by her own mentor, Professor Hilary Silver.
Please share something about your personal and professional background.
I am a sociologist and… Read More »
From Syria to NYC: Reem Aliessa’s Journey in International Studies and Social Responsibility
Reem Aliessa ‘14 was born and raised in NYC to Syrian immigrant parents. Her passion for International Studies was shaped in large part by her family’s Arab-American identity and nurtured by the resources and opportunities at the Colin Powell School. Today, she works as the Vice President and Senior Program Manager at Citi Volunteers, where she leverages her education and experiences to make a positive social impact. Her journey from CCNY to a leadership role… Read More »
Crossing Horizons: Anson Cheuk-Hin Chung's Journey in Political Science
Anson Cheuk-Hin Chung, a 2022 graduate of CCNY in Political Science and History, is currently pursuing an MA in Political Science at the University of Toronto.
Where are you from, and what is your background story? Please share your details from the period before you arrived at CCNY.
I was born and raised in Hong Kong and immigrated to New York City when I was fifteen. Before my migration in 2016, Hong Kong had experienced several social movements, including the 2014… Read More »
Nushrat Bushra: A Personal Journey to Mental Health Advocacy
Please share a little about your background — what’s your story?
I am a first-generation college student, born and raised in Bangladesh. I moved to the USA at the age of 12, entering a completely new environment. Initially, adapting was challenging due to the cultural and religious differences. It took some time to feel comfortable here, especially without any friends and having left my brother and relatives back in Bangladesh. Language was another significant hurdle. Although I could… Read More »
Societal Perspectives: Professor Larry Au's Journey
In the academic realm, Professor Larry Au stands out for his interdisciplinary scholarship. Originally from Los Angeles and Hong Kong, Au has spent the last decade in New York City. He became an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department in Fall 2022. Au's research focuses on inclusive science and medicine, delving into precision medicine's globalization and the politics surrounding long Covid. As he works on his first book project on Chinese biomedical innovation, Dreams of Global Science: The… Read More »
Paul Wachtel’s Journey from Physics to Psychology and a Storied Career at CCNY
Please share something about your personal and professional background.
I grew up in the Bronx and have been a New Yorker for most of my life. We were a family of four living in a one bedroom apartment. My father had dropped out of school after the ninth grade to support his single mother and younger sister. So I can identify with the many students at City who are the first in their family to attend college, and with the experience of whole new worlds… Read More »
From Immigrant Roots to Legal Leadership: Andre Desir ‘16
Andre Desir ‘16, who was born to immigrant parents from Haiti and Canada, initially undervalued a college education. Desir's decision to attend CCNY and join the Colin Powell School was deeply influenced by his father's educational legacy and the allure of CCNY’s diverse programs and vibrant community. Motivated by a desire for maximum agency in navigating life, he recognized education as the key to a better future. At CCNY, Desir participated in the Skadden Arps Program (now the Honors… Read More »
Steven Fernandez
Major: Economics and Business
Please share a little about your background — what’s your story?
I'm currently a graduating senior at the Colin Powell School, majoring in economics with a concentration in finance. I was born in the beautiful Dominican Republic and spent my early years in the rural countryside (i.e., “campo”). In 2007, when I was six, my family and I moved to New York. We settled in the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of Inwood and Washington Heights. Our years in upper Manhattan have brought about their fair share of… Read More »
Last Updated: 01/15/2020 15:46