Class of 2026
CCNY CWE 2026 Valedictorian & Salutatorian
Sena Tossou is graduating from our BS in Early Childhood Education and shows how resilience leads to success. She is originally from Africa and manages to balance being a mother and a Pre-K teacher while keeping an outstanding academic record. Her commitment to her students is clear—her class won the 2025 March Reading Challenge. Sena is dedicated to inclusive learning and believes that well-educated children are the foundation of a “well-built society.”
James Kim is graduating with a 4.0 GPA in Social Justice and Urban Life. Before joining the Center for Worker Education, James spent over a decade as a leader in the New York art world, serving as a lighting director for high-profile projects, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Heavenly Bodies” exhibition. At CWE, James shifted his focus from the aesthetics of light to the frameworks of urban policy and social justice. His academic achievements earned him a spot on the Dean’s List every semester.
2025 Commencement
Browse photos and videos of CCNY’s 173rd ceremony.
2026 CCNY CWE Media Galleries
Browse photos and videos captured by CCNY CWE during the 2026 ceremonies.
CCNY CWE Students Listed as CCNY Great Grads 2026
KIM JAMES
B.A. in Social Justice and Urban Life
The proud first graduate of CWE’s new major in Social Justice and Urban Life, and a child of Korean immigrants, James Kim’s academic journey reflects perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to equity in urban communities.
Before returning to school as a mature student, Kim built a successful career in New York City’s art world, working at the intersection of fine art and commercial production. His experience included assisting renowned artists, documenting major cultural moments such as Simone Leigh’s Venice Biennale presentation, and collaborating with leading institutions. While fulfilling, this work ultimately sharpened his desire to make a broader impact beyond cultural spaces and into the everyday lives of city residents.
At CWE, Kim distinguished himself as an exceptional student, earning consistent praise for his beautifully written, analytically rigorous work and his ability to connect personal experience with theory. His capstone project examines small business industry clusters in a rezoning area, combining GIS mapping, interviews, observation, and photographic documentation to produce a nuanced, evidence‑based analysis.
Kim credits CWE’s mission, designed for working adults, as central to his success. Balancing full‑time work with rigorous academic study allowed him to support himself while earning his degree and clarifying his future path. He is currently preparing for the LSAT and plans to pursue law school, motivated by a desire to advocate for communities most affected by systemic inequity.
“CWE is a beacon of higher education for communities whose relationship to opportunity is far more complex than my own,” he said.
ANDREW SERRANO
B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Literary, Media and Visual Arts
Native Californian Andrew Serrano came to New York City to study fashion marketing at Parsons School of Design. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, his time as a mentor with aspiring fashion designers and industry executives inspired him to return to college.
“I returned to university after successfully working inside these industries, seeking a deeper intellectual framework for understanding the systems shaping opportunity within them,” said Serrano. “My professional work has focused on helping emerging creative talent build visibility, partnerships, and sustainable business strategies within industries that often rely on legacy networks and informal access to capital.”
At the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education, Serrano engaged with subjects such as philosophy, media, and cultural analysis while continuing to work. He also served on CCNY’s LGBTQ+ Student Center Advisory Board.
“My advisor, Jason Chappell, immediately made me feel that the CWE’s Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts & Sciences program was the right fit—especially for someone like me, who wanted to expand my perspective as a critical thinker—bridging my professional experience with deeper academic inquiry,” he said.
Serrano plans to continue supporting emerging designers and creative entrepreneurs—from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities—find their voice and access the capital needed to sustain and grow their businesses. He will begin his M.B.A. at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business this summer.
Professors Marlene Clark and Alessandra Benedicty-Kokken’s guidance helped shape not only how I think, but how I lead—with intention, curiosity, and a commitment to growth,” said Serrano, who is graduating summa cum laude.
Last Updated: 06/04/2026 08:55