Announcing the 2020 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars

This year’s recipients of the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships are training to be the next generation of advocates, public servants, social workers, nurses, and journalists – and, amidst a global pandemic, they’re demonstrating adaptability in pursuit of their degrees, by adjusting to online classes and learning from home.  

On October 29, NYCHA and CUNY virtually celebrated 22 residents for their academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to their communities at the 15th annual NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program awards ceremony.  

The NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship is awarded to residents in full-time CUNY programs with at least a 3.0 GPA. All awardees received $1,000 that can be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, books, and fees. Since 2005, the scholarship program has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships. To date, the program has awarded 224 residents with the scholarship. 

“Congratulations to the scholars and thank you to all the partners – especially as the COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges, including loss of income, not being able to attend classes in-person, and needing funds for the necessary equipment to learn from home,” said Greg Russ, NYCHA Chair & CEO. “We’re helping alleviate some of the barriers to pursuing education by providing students with additional funds to use toward tuition, books, and other education-related expenses.” 

“This is an opportunity that you should savor,” Chair Russ told the scholarship winners. “It’s a chance to make a step into the future. The virus is not going to stop you from doing that. You have the power of yourself, the power of your education, and the drive that has gotten you this far – good luck and keep up the good work.” 

In addition to Chair Russ, speakers included NYCHA/CUNY alumnus Jeffrey Levine, funder of the Levine Family Scholarship; Ian James, Deputy to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment at CUNY; and Adiba Choudhury, 2018 NYCHA-CUNY Scholar and Administrative Legislative Coordinator in NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. 

The scholarship program includes the NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship and the Regina A. Figueroa Memorial Scholarship for residents with disabilities, both funded by the New York City Council; the Levine Family Scholarship, funded by Jeffrey Levine; and the Kofi Hormeku Scholarship, provided by Nehemiah Economic Development, Inc., for residents living in Brownsville, East New York, or Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. 

To learn more about the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship, click here

Congratulations to the 22 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars of 2020: 
 
Edwige Ahanogbe 
Lehman College 
Mott Haven Houses 

Maya Alexander 
Baruch College 
Straus Houses 

Makeda Andargachew 
Hunter College 
Fulton Houses 

M’Niyah Lynn 
Baruch College 
Wagner Houses 

Nedya McIntosh 
Hunter College 
Mariners Harbor Houses 

Kay Solomon 
New York City College of Technology 
Red Hook Houses 

Kofi Hormeku Scholars 

Laurie Avila 
York College 
Pink Houses 

Branda Brumaire 
The City College of New York 
Breukelen Houses 

Badiallo Diawara 
The City College of New York 
Howard Houses 

Paola Paulino 
York College 
Cypress Hills Houses 

Tasnuba Sukanna 
Baruch College  
Howard Houses 

Regina A. Figueroa Memorial Scholar 

Jessica Martinez 
Lehman College  
Lincoln Houses 

Levine Scholars 

Fargana Abden 
The City College of New York 
Metro North Plaza 

Connie Aleman 
The City College of New York 
Saint Mary’s Park Houses 

Yanna Almonte 
The City College of New York 
Grant Houses 

Krystal Cruz 
The City College of New York 
Amsterdam Houses 

Carmen Huang 
The City College of New York 
Amsterdam Houses 
 
Syeda Ishrat 
The City College of New York 
Taft Houses 

Natasha Agustin Jimenez 
The City College of New York 
Gravesend Houses 

Alia Medina 
The City College of New York 
Williamsburg Houses 

Dayra Rivas 
The City College of New York 
Forest Houses 

Joel Sanchez 
The City College of New York 
Manhattanville Houses