4 Student Advisory Board
In its third year of the grant (2022-2023), TLH formed a Student Advisory Board of 24 members (12 students per semester) with diverse representation across CUNY. The Student Board helped us to envision a future transformed university. The Fall Board developed a call for proposals for our Student Summit, and the Spring Board helped to review applications and host the Summit on May 5. The Summit provided CUNY students a platform for sharing their vision for a more just and equitable academic environment.
Spring 2023
Abigail Garcia Vazquez, Baruch College
My name is Abigail Miranda Garcia Vazquez, and I am majoring in Marketing Management with a minor in Black and Latino Studies because I feel the best way to connect with people is to aid them in finding equitable products and services that make their lives more enjoyable. One main lesson I have learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is never to shy away from asking questions. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to advise professors to teach students how to be less focused on how society wants us to learn and place an emphasis on student growth, academically speaking.
Brendaly Capellan, John Jay College
My name is Brendaly Capellan, a senior at John Jay College. I am majoring in criminology and minoring in sociology because those fields give me a better understanding of social behavior, delinquency, and criminality. I am getting a certificate in dispute resolution, which helps me understand conflict, its complexity and management. The most important reason to go to college is to learn about a field you are passionate about, so you can have a solid foundation and the adequate skills for that field. In the year ahead, I hope to graduate from college and enter a career where I can be an advocate that addresses the needs of the people in New York City. On the TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to gain leadership experience and use my voice to promote change.
Augustina Cudjoe, Bronx Community College
My name is Augustina Cudjoe, and I am deeply passionate about nursing. Providing exceptional care and assistance to patients, especially the elderly, is a driving force in my life. Witnessing their recovery and overall wellbeing is immensely fulfilling, and becoming a registered nurse is my primary motivation for attending college. While I have many goals, I believe that beginning my education at BCC is the crucial first step towards achieving them.
The demand for nurses is projected to increase in the coming years due to the aging population and ongoing need for healthcare. As a nursing major, I am confident in my ability to meet this demand and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
I am thrilled to serve on the TLH Student Advisory Board for the spring 2023 term. It is an honor to have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and fellow students to participate in the decision-making process. As a board member, I hope to be a voice for my peers, advocate for their needs and concerns, and contribute to the program’s continued growth and success.
Ivan Sirotkin, Baruch College
I am a majoring in Finance because I enjoy working as a team and want to challenge myself in a field that is ever-changing. I believe that college education is crucial to personal development because it exposes students to new communities, fields of study, and people of all backgrounds. College sharpens our career goals and offers an expansive opportunity for post-graduate employment. As a freshman, I’ve already noticed that Baruch and CUNY have an immense resource base, and it is instrumental that students utilize these offerings. I am excited for the chance to contribute to the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board and drive positively uplifting change in the CUNY community.
Angela Briceno, College of Staten Island
My name is Angela Briceno, and I am majoring in Education and Psychology. The reason I chose these careers is to help future generations in different ways. Psychology helps me understand the behavior and way of thinking of different people. Education has helped me understand different learning methods that can help students want to excel in class or make them understand that education is important for their future. For me, the most important reason for going to college is to be able to become a professional with the career I wanted to choose. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to provide important insights that will aid in the pedagogy and teaching of future generations of students.
Fatima Javid, Hunter College
I am a student at Hunter College doing a BA in Computer Science and Economics and a minor in Mathematics. I started college as an introverted but optimistic student, nervous at the prospect of navigating through college but excited to make friends and become independent. CUNY has allowed me to get a quality education at an affordable rate and discover my passions. I want to be in the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board to inspire student-centered learning and reflect on my experiences as a student to provide insight on how we can build a community that supports all CUNY students. The passion and kindness of my peers, and advisors inspires me to work harder and stay motivated in my college classes and I want to help other CUNY students.
Joie Ning, John Jay College
My name is Joie Ning, and I am pursuing a CUNY BA degree in East Asian Political Studies because I am passionate about understanding the relationship between East Asia and the world. College education is important to me as a stepping stone to exploring my interests that I may choose to pursue in the real world. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to implement change that will better improve students’ experiences with diversity and inclusivity at CUNY.
Trisha Roy, Queens College
My name is Trisha Roy, and I’m a QC student who loves games, drawing, and has a passion for social issues. My major is in CS, but this may change. For me, I go to college because I want to figure out my future and just like everybody else- I don’t know what I will do yet, but that’s the point! On the Spring 2023 TLH SAB, I hope to make a meaningful impact towards institutional change.
Vincent Hadwin Tanujaya, Baruch College
Hi my name is Vincent. I’m currently pursuing a major in Entrepreneurship. Most of the business in this world has made somewhat of an impact to the community as well as their respective countries. My dream is that I’d like to create a company, in which it is impactful and has strong values in terms of equality. Thus, pursuing this dream of mine, would require me to get into college. To me, the most important reason to go to college is that you can network with a variety of people from different backgrounds as well as gain a higher level of thinking to solve problems in the real world. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to share my experiences and background and be an impact to the community.
Rosalind Hernandez, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
My name is Rosalind Hernandez, and I am majoring in forensic psychology because I want to understand the human psyche critically. The most crucial reason to go to college is to Increase career balance and delight and to have the potential to impact my community. One of the things I’ve learned so far at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is Knowing that education and voice is a powerful tool that is essential in the world today. Something I would like to accomplish in the year ahead is time management. On the spring of 2023, TLH student advisory board, I plan to be a liaison between students, faculty, and the School’s Administration to create a better learning environment in the university.
Malina Seenarine, Baruch College
My name is Malina Seenarine, and I am majoring in journalism because I am interested in learning more about people and problems in our society. I love interviewing people and discovering new places. To me the most important reason to go to college is to create both personal and professional connections. College gives you the opportunity to grow and gain new skills. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give my input on how we can improve learning in college to help students have more meaningful experiences.
Melanie Torres, College of Staten Island
I am a Psychology major with hopes of entering the Master’s Program in Social Work at the College of Staten Island. Education is important and sharing knowledge in an environment where we find students from various backgrounds and walks of life, each having different goals and attributes to share with society. In my time at The College of Staten Island, I discovered that I am passionate about helping others. I have learned how to use my creative ideas, and my voice to express concerns that need to be addressed, this I will take with me even after I graduate. I have become an advocate for those in need and joining TLH Student Advisory Board I am honored, and I will continue to share my experiences and ideas to help where applicable.
Fall 2022
Siddrah Alhindi, Baruch College
I am a Macaulay Honors Senior at Baruch College, majoring in journalism and minoring in film. I chose these fields because I am passionate about representing my voice as a Muslim American female in them. To me, the most important reason to acquire a college education is to learn skills that can help you find successful career opportunities. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is how you can become a well-rounded student with an impressive educational background while still attending an affordable school. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to accomplish my goals of learning how to implement the fundamental ideas that drive transformative learning.
Liesel Asomani-Anim, Lehman College
I am majoring in Nursing because I dream to one day be able to aid others in their vulnerable state. The importance of college is to get a clear idea of what career I want to branch out into, whilst also making connections with others of similar interests in the process. So far my time at Lehman, I’ve met a diverse variety of people who have similar goes and aspirations like myself. CUNY allowed me to find my sense of self, my strong/weak points, and the role I play in society. I would like to continue doing so in the coming year. As part of the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to help others find themselves and inspire them to better themselves along the way.
Adina Black, Queens College
I am Majoring in Computer Science and minoring in BALA. I believe that females should be encouraged to pursue careers in male dominated fields because we can! To me, the most important reason to go to College is because it provides us with endless knowledge that broadens our views and perspectives on the world and its needs. One of the things I have already learned at CUNY that I will use even after I graduate is the notion that as humans we must respect good thinking wherever it is found (shoutout to Professor Kuhn). On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to offer honest and raw insight to ways we can all progress our classroom experience, as students, and as teachers.
Dominique Clay, Brooklyn College
I am majoring in Business Management because I actually like spreadsheets. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to learn how to think critically. This skill is most important in navigating the workplace, being effective at your job, and being a good citizen. On the 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to foster critical thinking skills in the classroom, in the student, so that they might be successful in whatever they choose to do. It’s important that we can discuss important issues affecting our society in a productive way so we can work on improving the well-being of all people.
Tahisha Fields, Baruch College
I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Black and Latinx Studies. I want to be a Clinical Psychologist. I teach art and fashion in a middle school in the Bronx for their after school program. These preteen and teenagers have shown me that during this stage is a world wind of adventures and turmoil. They need constant guidance, openness, consistency and a place for them to feel safe. Over the past almost seven years I have learned that being this constant source for these students has allowed them to be vulnerable in a school where that is never the norm for them. While still allowing them the understanding that just because you made a mistake, how can you learn from it so it will not occur again.
Vibodha Gallage Dona, Baruch College
I am majoring in Business communication with a specialization in Graphic Communications. I chose this major due to my interest in the career field of graphic design and marketing. To me, the most important aspect of college is to gain real-world experience while also learning more about ourselves and society. During this past year, I have gained so many hands-on experiences from college courses and CUNY-related internships and I hope everyone gets the chance to use those resources too! On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to help by being representative of the students’ voices as well as dedicate myself to the betterment of the future of engaged pedagogy. I love the message the TLH community sends and am very excited to be a part of this transformative change at CUNY!
Fabienne Renois, Queens College
I am dance major and a business and liberal arts minor. I am majoring in dance because I aspire to be a dance teacher and make my mark on the world. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to expand your knowledge and experience new things. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is embrace new opportunities and to not be afraid to take chances. CUNY has pushed me to try new things and learn to appreciate the joys of life even during rough times. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board I hope to be the voice for students who feel like they don’t have one and help make change.
Reyana Persaud, Queens College
I am majoring in psychology because I want to pursue a career in the health field of psychology. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to earn a degree because it’s good to expand your knowledge. Having a degree grants you better job opportunities as well. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is how to efficiently master a resume and prepare for an interview. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give it my all in the student advisory board, give TLH officials advice on how to execute institutional changes that are connected to pedagogy and teaching. I can’t wait for the zoom conferences and to help organize a student summit!
Alina Safiullina, Kingsborough Community College
I am majoring in Computer Information Systems in KBCC. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how people are dependent on their workplaces, that’s why I chose to study a specialty with more remote perspectives. To me, the most important reason to attend the college is getting knowledge and met people from the different occupations. I believe that KBCC gives me college the priceless experience which get me further in my career. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to contribute my knowledge and experience to the projects. I’m totally sure that being a part of the Student Advisory Board will vector me in my personal or professional path.
Natasha Santana, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
I am majoring in Anthropology. I chose this major because in ten years, or twenty years our current society will become what future generations will try to understand. My college education has become vital to me because not every person has the privilege to have access to higher education. I want to be able to take my privilege in education and further make it more accessible as I go into my career, which is why graduating from a CUNY while being a native New Yorker gives me more insight into the structure of education in the city. On the fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to understand the community being built through and with other CUNY students.
Holliday Senquiz, Guttman Community College
I’m a Liberal Arts and Sciences major, and I’m in my second year at Stella and Charles Guttman Community College. I am majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences with the hope that I will one day become an author, and I intend on transferring after my time at Guttman to pursue my bachelor’s and master’s degree. I value my college experience because college is an environment in which I am invited to take initiative. It is a sacred place in which learning can take centerstage, and where young intellect is challenged in a manner that inspires growth. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give back to the CUNY community and help other students see college for all it can be.
Daisha Suggs, York College
My major is Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in education and anthropology. I felt like the combination of those majors and minors give me a good setup for my future degrees and my career. Getting a college education is important to me because it gives people an opportunity to give themselves a better life. As a first generation college student, I had the privilege to do so at York College, and build so many valuable connections with students and professors. It was also the one of the reasons I joined the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board. I joined future students who were in my shoes to know that they can succeed at a place like CUNY due to the amazing community we have.