CCNY President Lisa S. Coico [center] with the college's 2016 President’s Community Scholarship recipients. From left: Kenneth Rosario, Wilfred Pimentel, Victor Anosike, Miguel Vargas, Kori Hambric, Jasmine Bell, Sumayya Shurovi, Nakya Stewart, Shirlyn Perez and Argenis Taveras.
Ten high-achieving students from the Bronx and Washington Heights are recipients of City College of New York President’s Community scholarships, which provide free tuition for undergraduate study.
The seventh cohort is part of a vibrant bunch of students that since 2010 are chosen on academic merit. Most of the freshmen come from immigrant backgrounds and are graduates of high schools in the Harlem area.
First generation college student Shirlyn Perez’s parents hail from the Dominican Republic. Growing up, Perez saw her parents’ financial hardships and wanted more than a degree from the High School for Media and Communications.
“I have seen my mother struggle so much, and it was because she was not able to finish college; that motivated me to actually make a difference and go to college. I’d like to be an inspiration for my brothers and sisters and also for other students that are not financially stable. I just want to do it for myself but also to show other people that it’s possible,” said the 18-year-old.
As a psychology major, Perez hopes to someday help people the same way she has due to the generous support of the scholarship. Without this gift, she would not have been able to attend college. “ I don’t think I would have been as motivated to attend college because lets say I graduate with a degree, the loans would have been pretty hindering for me.”
The other 2016 CCNY President’s Community Scholars are:
- Jasmine Bell, City College Academy of the Arts;
- Kori Hambric, Frederick Douglass Academy;
- Wilfred Pimentel, Gregorio Luperon HS;
- Argenis Taveras, HS for Media and Communications;
- Miguel Vargas, Gregorio Luperon HS;
- Nakya Stewart, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics;
- Sumayya Shurovi, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics;
- Kenneth Rosario, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics;
- Victor Anosike, HS of Math, Science and Engineering at the City College of New York;
City College President Lisa S. Coico initiated the program to strengthen the links between the institution and the neighboring community. To date, 63 students have received scholarships.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided low-cost, high-quality education for New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. More than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Science; Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture; School of Education; Grove School of Engineering; Sophie Davis Biomedical Education/CUNY School of Medicine; and the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. U.S. News, Princeton Review and Forbes all rank City College among the best colleges and universities in the United States.