Scholars List
Past Scholars List
EDUCATION FUND SCHOLARS
Carmen Sol Acosta
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Carmen Sol Acosta
Carmen grew up plagued by food and shelter insecurity and household members suffering from alcoholism and depression without the resources to address them. With those basic necessities for survival unmet, education could not be a priority. But at 23, Carmen’s children became the motivation she needed to make the changes necessary to become the person she wanted to be. After researching and enrolling in the Borough of Manhattan Community College 24-cc program which allowed her to obtain college credits and her GED simultaneously, Carmen pushed forward and earned her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2019. She did so despite obstacles such as job loss, lack of childcare, and domestic violence. Now, Carmen is on track to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in December 2022.
“I know I will become successful and teach my children to always lead their path.” – Carmen Sol Acosta
Doreen Ahumah
City College of New York
Doreen Ahumah
In 2018, four years after immigrating to America from Ghana, Doreen became a widow, forcing herself to become the breadwinner for herself and two young sons. Doreen struggled to balance her new roles as a single-mother and sole financial source for her home, working long hours and often returning home too exhausted to spend quality family time. Doreen began to realize that there were many other individuals in her community of the South Bronx that were also single-parent households and struggling with keeping children on the right educational path. While pondering how our education system could better support single parents to keep their children in school, Doreen’s aspiration for a career in education law and advocacy was born. Doreen’s dream is to create and advocate for initiatives and resources that simultaneously address the academic and socio-economic needs of the students in her community, especially those from single-parent households. Doreen is currently completing her bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education at the City College of New York, and plans to work as a teacher in a public elementary school in the South Bronx after graduating in 2023.
“I believe I can make a difference in the academic and socio-economic lives of students in my South Bronx community and beyond through a career in education and advocacy.” – Doreen Ahumah
Gloria Alfonso Herrera
Queensborough Community College
Gloria Alfonso Herrera
Growing up in Mexico, education had always been essential to Gloria. But, in 1999, Gloria’s high school education was cut short after she was forced into human trafficking that transported her to the United States. After escaping her exploiter, Gloria began attempting to build a life for herself here by taking English classes, obtaining her GED and enrolling in a medical assistant program. After having her son and giving birth to two daughters, she decided to pursue her college degree in 2018. Gloria has always been interested in psychology and sociology and believes that understanding human behavior can help others better sympathize with those who face mental health challenges or need assistance healing from trauma. With a degree from Queensborough Community College, Gloria aspires to further a career with the New York City Department of Health.
“It is crucial to find the reason for the different human behaviors and the root of the problem in society to change it and avoid negative behaviors. My goal is to be able to help vulnerable people to improve their lifestyles.” – Gloria Herrera
Julia Anelli
New York University
Julia Anelli
Julia always had a propensity for entrepreneurship, cultivating valuable leadership lessons and skills while playing team sports. Julia’s entrepreneurial skills expanded when she collaborated with her husband and their three children as they grew a successful construction, development, and design business. Sadly, Julia and her husband lost the business during the 2008 recession, and four years later, her husband passed away, leaving Julia to raise their children. A woman of perseverance, Julia pivoted her career path and enrolled at New York University. Julia chose to major in Business Leadership and Management Studies with a concentration in International Business and Global Management. Julia can continue her plans to work in finance as a financial planner or venture into career opportunities such as sustainable international business. Julia hopes to build a modern marketplace on a global scale to be part of the solution for a better tomorrow.
“My dedication, perseverance and leadership skills have aided me to find early success
at NYU and I feel prepared and confident I will complete my degree with an expected graduation date of Fall 2023.” – Julia Anelli
Jade Brown-Godfrey
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Jade Brown-Godfrey
Becoming legally emancipated at the age of 16, Jade was able to move away from a volatile relationship with her parents but became a single mother facing a new set of challenges. Jade dropped out of high school but was able to receive her GED and was able to make ends meet by picking up work in the restaurant industry. After 20 years of working in the restaurant industry, she looked at the COVID pandemic and the massive shutdown of NYC restaurants as an opportunity to change her career and embark on a new path. Jade enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College and began taking courses across many different disciplines. She is now the proud mother of four children and is enrolled in an interdisciplinary program at NYU Gallatin exploring the intersectionality of science and social justice through topics like ecofeminism, bioethics, plant and fungal biology, and community herbalism. Jade is actively involved in her community and recently worked to compile over a decade’s worth of citizen science that evaluates the pollution levels of New York City’s waterways.
“I have seen first-hand in my own community garden how we can become independent of oppressive systems through connecting with the land on your own block and I truly believe that gardening is a tool for social justice.” – Jade Brown-Godfrey
Marie Danielle Dere
Columbia University
Marie Danielle Dere
Immigrating to the United States in October 2011, Marie found herself isolated and unsure of what opportunities were available to her while enduring her husband’s physical and psychological abuse. Marie found refuge in education and attended LaGuardia Community College but was forced to drop out by her husband in 2014. She was still determined to find ways to satisfy her desire to learn and find community. Marie discovered the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, which serves mothers and children in Harlem and where she joined a support group for French speakers in 2018. Thanks to this organization and the bonds she made with other members in her support group, Marie gained the courage to leave her husband and moved into a shelter with her daughter. She now attends Columbia University and as a survivor of domestic violence herself, is motivated to become a social worker to help end the code of silence surrounding domestic abuse in African immigrant communities. It is Marie’s ultimate goal to open a women’s center in the Bronx which will teach English language skills, financial literacy, and provide career coaching.
“I have dealt with many setbacks, but I think they represent a launchpad to propel my career choices and make me the best type of social worker—one who listens to others and embraces their dreams.” – Marie Danielle Dere
Lisa Daniels
Hunter College
Lisa Daniels
Returning to school was a necessity for Lisa as a single mother that had spent the previous 15 years raising children and supporting her family. Having always been interested in health sciences, she decided to enroll in a nursing program that would advance a new career in public health while providing better financial security for herself and her family. Despite obstacles with finding financial support, Lisa has continued the pursuit of her degree, earning her AAS in just 2 years while graduating at the top of her class. She has already received her nursing license and is working in the field she wants to be in while completing her BSN at Hunter College.
“I am excited to continue my education and bring what I have learned into my community to help support the lives of families and their children.” – Lisa Daniels
Rainbow Farr
City College of New York
Rainbow Farr
Rainbow has always been determined to teach. She is inspired daily by the joy she gets watching the eyes of her young students light up, in response to learning something new. As a child, Rainbow did not have the best schooling experience. She recalls often hearing her teachers make disparaging remarks about her intelligence and that of her fellow students. This motivated Rainbow to become the teacher she had always wanted — one who was loving, compassionate, encouraging and understanding. For the past 10 years, Rainbow has dedicated herself to teaching pre-K and kindergartners at a private school. She now aims to broaden her teaching skills by receiving a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education followed by a master’s degree which will allow her to obtain her New York State Teaching Certification so that she may teach in New York City’s public schools.
“With everything I have gone through I always felt like I was born to suffer, but through my suffering came strength, resilience, willpower, perseverance, and a testimony to share with other women going through difficult situations.” – Rainbow Farr
Sandra Garcia
Hunter College
Sandra Garcia
After working for more than ten years at “off the books” retail jobs, Sandra almost lost all hope of becoming a “professional”. But in 2013, she became a DACA recipient. As a result, she was able to pursue new employment opportunities which had been previously unattainable for her as an undocumented immigrant. In 2015, as a means of obtaining additional job security, Sandra decided to further her education. She discovered the Spanish-English Interpretation Certification program and by 2019, she had completed a 45-hour interpretation training certificate program for legal terminology and graduated from community college. Sandra is now enrolled at Hunter College to advance her career further by completing her bachelor’s degree so she may eventually become a full-time interpreter.
“Doing the work that I do is very fulfilling because I get to facilitate the communication between people that work for the overall welfare of the community and those who are in much need of these services.” – Sandra Garcia
Tsehey Gebreyes
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Tsehey Gebreyes
Tsehey developed an interest in public health during her adolescence. Growing up in West Ethiopia in a family of farmers, she saw the vital importance of disease prevention, proper hygiene, sanitation, and the use of insecticides. Now as an immigrant to New York City, after completing her AAS degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College, Tsehey aims to ultimately receive her Master of Public Health degree. Tsehey’s eventual career goal is to work for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a city public health researcher.
“From my previous life experience I have learned a lot about how to overcome challenges by being focused with my goals and being patient.” – Tsehey Gebreyes
Stella Karagiorgaki
Queensborough Community College
Stella Karagiorgaki
Twenty years ago, Stella emigrated from Greece to the United States and started a family. After developing an interest in teaching, she began working with children from pre-K to 5th grade. After her husband passed away, Stella was forced to find a second job to support and raise their children on her own. Despite the financial struggle made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stella is intent upon furthering her education to better assist the special needs students she works with in her current role as a paraprofessional with the NYC Department of Education. Eventually, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in Disability Studies.
“With this award I will continue to make education and service to children my top priority.
Additionally, I have the opportunity to acquire my bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies and this will be a lifetime dream that will finally come true.” – Stella Karagiorgaki
Natalie Laruccia
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Natalie Laruccia
Natalie struggled early in school and that experience influenced her to not pursue higher education after completion of her compulsory instruction ended. With no college degree, Natalie relied on her entrepreneurial spirit, starting her own taxi service in Buenos Aries and pursuing a career in Dance. As the years passed, she came to realize she would be better able to support her family if she completed a degree in higher education, but after enrolling and failing out three times, Natalie was convinced she would never succeed. It was not until 2021 when she underwent a neuropsychological evaluation at New York University, that it was discovered she has dyscalculia, a genetic learning disorder. With this diagnosis and tools to address her learning disability, Natalie is now enrolled at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and maintaining a 3.78 GPA. She plans to pursue Spanish legal interpretation and translation to advocate for Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States court and legal system.
“I haven’t given up yet, and I don’t plan on doing so.” – Natalie Laruccia
Myrdline Louis
Adelphi University
Myrdline Louis
Dedicated to helping and supporting women in the community, Myrdline is highly motivated to help and support them. Her motivation for pursuing a degree in social work derives from her personal experience with some of the challenges that come from parenting, relationships, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Having spent a lot of time parenting a child diagnosed with ADHD, and pursuing her education despite facing obstacles like food and housing insecurity, she saw firsthand the need to merge personal experience with professional practice. Having survived domestic violence herself, Myrdline would like to use her degree in social work to help other women gain social awareness about signs of domestic abuse, and to advocate for differently abled children as a voice for single parents. It is now Myrdline’s third semester as a senior at Adelphi University’s School of Social Work.
“There can be no failure before you decide to give up. If I believe in myself, I will strive to achieve my goals even when life isn’t easy.” – Myrdline Louis
Erin O’Bannon
Columbia University
Erin O’Bannon
Erin’s journey in life to get to where she is today – a student at Columbia University – was not easy. From birth, Erin was diagnosed with a congenital physical disorder called radial club hand which presented both emotional and physical challenges for her. In her youth, Erin questioned who she was in the world and how to contribute to her community in a meaningful way. Reading and education became her lifeline. After earning her history degree, Erin plans to attend law school to give back to her community by advocating for access to reproductive healthcare, voting rights restoration for convicted felons and the abolishment of the death penalty. Erin will be the first person in her family to graduate with a degree.
“I ask myself what do I bring to this world? What can I contribute? I have drive and a passion for learning. I have been afforded the opportunities and the trials of being physically different. I have been kept from school, assaulted for being different, and suffered tremendous loss, but it hasn’t broken me.” – Erin O’Bannon
Denisse Rivera
CUNY School of Professional Studies
Denisse Rivera
At 16 years old, Denisse became an emancipated minor and upon graduating from high school, enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to escape the toxic environment in which she grew up. Denisse remained in the Coast Guard for 6 years and, upon returning to New York, became an EMT and later a certified medical assistant. Despite her work, Denisse began to feel that something was missing from her life and enrolled at Bronx Community College. Shortly after, she entered a toxic relationship that hindered the pursuit of her college degree. But after recognizing how the relationship mirrored that of her childhood, she knew she had to get out. Motivated by her 4-year-old son, Denisse has the goal of creating a career for herself in Information Technology. Denisse has now graduated from Queensborough Community College and is currently en route to finish her bachelors degree from CUNY School of Professional Studies in Information Systems by June of 2023.
“I am sure that in my life there will be many more obstacles and challenges that will arise, but I am confident that I will tackle any of them head on.” – Denisse Rivera
Darresa Rodriguez
City College of New York
Darresa Rodriguez
Darresa’s career goal developed after witnessing the difficulties her daughter faced when they were forced to transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Darresa was compelled to advocate for her daughter when she began to experience emotional distress, eventually conducting research on educational policy and federal law to address the unsettling issues she encountered with school administrators. Deeply concerned about New York City’s educational disparities, Darresa became determined to become a lawyer and continue her advocacy for students facing challenges dealing with administrative red tape. Ultimately, she wants to serve special needs’ students and their families from underserved communities in need of legal representation facing the Department of Education.
“I believe that the law should be used as both a sword and a shield to protect and serve the people, which I aspire to do. I want to make substantial political changes to address the neglectful educational system and help families trust the system again.” – Darresa Rodriguez
Sharmaine Smith
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Sharmaine Smith
Sharmaine was never encouraged to pursue education, growing up in a home riddled with substance abuse and taunting from those who should have protected her. After her first attempt to achieve higher education in 1996, Sharmaine became addicted to drugs and dropped out, leading to a series of hardships. But in 2012, Sharmaine became empowered to change her life, rehabilitating herself and setting her focus again on pursuing education. Sharmaine is currently working towards a degree in forensic psychology with a minor in community justice, to assist people convicted of substance abuse related offenses to seek not just criminal reform, but also rehabilitation services.
“I want to make a difference in people’s lives by being a powerful example and being part of a team that looks to help the person not just seek imprisonment for a crime.” – Sharmaine Smith
Davina Stewart
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Davina Stewart
Raised in impoverished conditions by a single Puerto Rican mother of eight children, Davina encountered many traumas throughout her childhood and adolescence. As a result of these traumas and the conflicts they caused, she became homeless at the age of 17. Without mental health resources or support, she had no choice but to drop out of school and subsequently turned to substance use to cope with her pain. After working hard to stabilize her life, Davina was motivated to enroll at BMCC in August 2020 amid the global pandemic. She realized that she wanted to use her lived experience to make a positive impact in the world. Motivated by broken governmental systems that have failed her and the countless generations of families from impoverished and marginalized communities, Davina’s goal is to research intergenerational trauma and discover alternative, community-based therapies to aid in repairing these traumas. In June 2022, Davina received an AA in Psychology from BMCC, graduating with the award for Academic Excellence in Psychology among other honors. She has since transferred to NYU Gallatin as a GUIDE Scholar where she continues to work on her academic and social justice career goals.
“My goal is to live for the friends who lost their lives to substance use and to find ways to help, support, heal, and save as many lives suffering from trauma from a similar fate.” – Davina Stewart
Bouampoundi Brigitte Thiombiano
Hostos Community College
Bouampoundi Brigitte Thiombiano
Originally from Burkina Faso, West Africa, Bouampoundi has always done her best to care for herself and thrive academically. Despite her concerns about her English accent due to her French heritage, she was able to obtain assistance from friends who assisted her with the registration process at Hostos Community College to pursue an associate’s degree in business management. She has proudly joined the Student Leadership Academy, served as Vice President of Student Affairs, and been elected as a delegate to the CUNY University Student Senate while attending Hostos. In addition, she made history for her nation by being selected to participate in a 14-month peacekeeping operation of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in 2010. This peacekeeping mission allowed her to learn about the struggles of women and children living in a military-conflict nation. Currently, Bouampoundi is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in community change at City College of New York.
“As a non-traditional student, my career goal is to graduate and pursue a fulfilling career in an international development field that empowers women worldwide.” – Bouampoundi Brigitte Thiombiano
Shauna Yetman
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Shauna Yetman
After years of witnessing abuse in her childhood household, resulting in poor academic performance, Shauna escaped her situation by migrating to the United States where she was able to earn her GED. Despite this, she soon found herself in another abusive relationship and after escaping it, she and her children were left homeless. She was able to secure a job as a security officer working part-time which allowed her to enroll in college to pursue her true passion – helping those in need. Shauna is now a registered nurse at Bellevue Hospital on the Medical Surgical Unit and currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. Even while working to support her children and attending school, Shauna volunteers for New York Cares where she delivers meals to homebound seniors. Her ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner and help children who are abused or struggling with learning disabilities.
“My goal and passion is to become the first to graduate from college in my family and create a rewarding career in nursing, as I continue this journey motivated by my children to never ever give up.” – Shauna Yetman