Spring 2021 ASAP Pinning Booklet

Welcome to the
Spring 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Dear students, friends, family and colleagues,

Welcome to the official Spring 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony, we are elated you
could join us in celebrating a triumphant moment in LAGCC ASAP history, and a
well earned victory for our beloved students. The class of 2021 was a beacon of
hope and perseverance for us as an institution and we are exuberated to be able
to celebrate their accomplishments.
Our celebration will begin at 5:00pm on June 15th, online via ASAP LaGuardia’s
remote transmission team. Our presentation will be available on Youtube.
For instant access, or to invite friends and family, please use the following link:

https://youtu.be/OmHfx7t3Vz0

We prepared this presentation for you all as a token of our immense pride, affec-
tion and admiration for all the achievements of our graduates. We hope that to-
night’s presentation (remotely) communicates our shared pride at the success and
triumph of the Class of 2021.

-The ASAP Team

CEREMONY AGENDA

June 15th 2021, 5:00 EST—Ceremony Begins

Ceremonial Address from LaGuardia and ASAP

Kenneth Adams

ASAP Pinning Ceremony Student Feature

The Official ASAP Awards Ceremony

Roll call of the Class of 2021 with Advisor Messages



The Spring 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Leadership Address Speakers

LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams

Kenneth Adams was appointed president of LaGuar-
dia Community College by the Board of Trustees of
the City University of New York on June 29, 2020.
He assumed the role on August 17, 2020.

Previously, he was dean of workforce and economic
development at Bronx Community College (BCC)
from 2016–2020—leading the departments of Adult
and Continuing Education, Workforce Development,
Career Services, Community and Economic Develop-
ment, and the Center for Sustainable Energy.

Interim ASAP Director Matthew Eckhoff

Matthew Eckhoff has served as Interim Director of the
Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) at
LaGuardia Community College since 2019, overseeing
academic, financial, and social support services for up to
3,600 students. Previously, he served as the Associate
Director of this program, leading a team of twenty-four
advisors who provided holistic support services to 150
students' caseloads.

As a first-generation and community college graduate, Matthew is very
passionate about the transformative power of higher education, particular-
ly with these populations that he identifies with. Matthew is currently en-
rolled in the Doctorate in Higher Education Administration program at the
University of Southern Mississippi. He looks forward to utilizing his educa-
tion to continue helping provide individuals with increased access to high-
er education opportunities to benefit the lives of themselves, their families.



The Spring 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Featured Students and Staff

Stephanie Vallejo is a graduating Theater Major at
LaGuardia, she is also a proud graduate of the Labora-
tory School of Finance and Technology. Stephanie’s
goal is to become a successful actress for TV and film.
She is proud to graduate from LAGCC while juggling
her social life, job and dealing with the pandemic.
“My truth is my passion, I will live for it because that’s
what will make me truly happy”

Ziling Ma is majoring in Music Performance at LAGCC.
She is originally from China, her family immigrated to the
U.S. in 2018. As a child she dreamt of being a pianist,
she fell in love with the piano because she saw people
playing it felt elegant and beautiful. When she was 12
years old, with the support of her parents, she began her
journey of learning piano and she hasn't stopped
since. Music has become an indispensable part of her
life, to her life would be incomplete without music. The
music world brings her unlimited surprises and emotions.
She feels honored to be able to perform a piece of clas-
sical music to you today

Deema Bayrakdar (M.S.Ed, MHC-LP) is Director of The Wom-
en's Center and LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub at LaGuardia Com-
munity College. Aside from directing a number of different
initiatives at LAGCC, she has background in teaching, textile
design, and Mental Health Counseling. She is committed to
offering supportive and healing spaces for students to ex-
press, connect, and build community.

Tuli Chatterji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Eng-
lish at LaGuardia Community College. She received her PhD in
English from St. John’s University, New York, with the focus on
global Anglophone literature and queer studies. She is the found-
er of LaGuardia’s Asian American Voices journal and LaGuardia
Humanitarian Initiative. Dr. Chatterji has led and participated in
multiple international virtual exchange pedagogical projects. Her
work has been published in Indo-Caribbean Feminist Thought: Ge-
nealogies, Theories, Enactments, Journal of West Indian Literature,
South Asian Review; her upcoming publications are at Radical
Teacher and MLA Teaching and Studying Transnational Volume. At LaGuardia’s English De-
partment, Dr. Chatterji teaches composition and literature courses.

Sgt. Michelle Castro served in the United States Marine Corps from 2005-
2009. While serving in the military, her education was one of her main priori-
ties and she decided to pursue her education full-time once she finished her
military contract. She then received her B.S. in Sociology from Queens College
and her M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Lehman College. She is proud
to be the first in her family to graduate with a Masters Degree and on to a doc-
torate in the near future. As a believer in higher education, Michelle continues
to share her journey with her students and encourages them to step out their
comfort zone and face their fears to achieve their goals.

Class of

f 2021

ASAP Class of 2021

Minnah Abdelmohsen Diana Balderrabano
Anaiya Abernathy Raven Balfour
Priscilla Acero Oscar Banegas
Basudev Adhikari Delacruz Baneza
Cristine Adorno Laxmi Baral
Sanchez Adrian Bryant Bardales
Ohona Afrida Michelle Barrios
Edwin Aguayza Rosalva Barrios
Tareque Ahmed Amitabha Barua
Pan Aiqi Victor Bastidas
Farida Akhtar Alyssa Baum
Sadia Akter Rahmel Beal
Ammar Alam Mursheda Begum
Chernikov Alexander Saffale Begum
Sandro Alimbarashvili Lara Beharry
Galvez Alison Ralph (Lorenzo) Belias
Lovie Allen Peter Benitez
Reaz Alli Xochitl Beristain
Angelis Almanzar Chevalier Emely Berroa
Karen Alvarado Yeshi Bhutia
Elvin Amankwah Abdallah Binjameel
Ariana Amigon Armando Bishop
Jennifer Amigon Tsering Wangyal Bistalowa
Jhonny Anchundia Jonathan Bonura
Trisha Angamarca Nora Bradica
Anastasia Aponte Paul Bravo
Baldwin Ariasemiliano Katheryne Bravo
Jaylyn Arroyo Giselle Bravo
Ivy Ashoor Bradly Brito Dominguez
Touria Assahili Taj Brown
Denise Astudillo Lorena Burgos
Christina Burrell
Jeremy Atiencia Laura Caceres
Lance Bae Soraya Calvache
Andel Cambridge
Shenielle Bahari
Joshua Bailey

ASAP Class of 2021

Francisco Campos Santiago Cornejomoreira
Alexis Cano Gallardo Karen Corona
Ana Cantero Ronaldo Corona
Mariana Caraballo Marian Coronel
Tabitha Carambot Nicole Corsino Perez
Yessica Carasco Leslyan Cortes-Conde
Anthony Cardenas Danielle Crawford
Lovera Carlos Eduardo Cruz
Noelia Carrasco Nina Cruz
Liliana Cartagenasandoval Wendy Cruz
Jimmy Carvajal Jayvawn Cuenca
Lina Carver Diego Cuesta
James Castellanos Ramirez Kabriya Cummings
Carolina Castrillon Mya Daisie
Jonathan Castro Christine Dait
Randy Castro Castillo Darling
Ingenborg Ivette Castro Durant Davida
Cristian Castro Kayla Naomi Dejesus
Herman Chamos Diana Delaguila
Michael Chavez Samantha Delgado
Denise* Chen Wanqin Deng
Jing Chen Jivaunie Dennis
Caiwen Chen Audree Dessaint
Xiaoling Chen Jayden Destephano
Xiuting Chen Ramos Destiny
Shunru Chen Aissata Diallo
Joshuah Chery Natalie Diaz
Wah Kian Chew Marais Diaz
Minhazur (Minhaz) Choudhury Paola Diaz
Jonell Christian Gabriela Diazabreu
Tenzin Diki
Darlene Christopher Marcotyler Dizon
Morenolopez Christopher Wendyam Djiguemde
Moisesha Dorcil
Jeremy Claudio Maaz Dorria
Ana Cobos

Gabriela Concepcion

ASAP Class of 2021

Desire Dowdy Luis Franco

Matthew Drakakis Chloe Frederick

Maite Duenas Sade Frierson

Yamile Duran Honesty Fulcher

Anas El Amrati Quanissia Gabriel

Hesham Eldawy Destefano Gabriel

Habiba Elgohary Raquis Gaddy

Navarro Elizabeth Jaimy Galarza

Pilgrim Elliott Gabriela* Galindo

Molina Elliott Ciara Gallegos Moran

Puchuela Elvin Stephanie Garces

Saidul Emon Leonardo Garcia

Carmen Escudero Natalie Garcia

Ismael Espinal Emily Garcia

Alejandro Estrada Samuel Garcia

Rubi Estrella Vanesa Garcia

Baizan Evelyn Katheryn Garcia

Daeion Ezell Alexander Garcia-Torres

Doriza Jane Fainsan Salmon George

Stephany Fajardo Jared Ian Geronimo

Marycarmen Feliz Jada Gillette

Oliver Fernandez Tiffany Giron

Nicol Fernandez Ruth Glover

Fuentes Fernando Charmy Gnanapragasam

Melissa Figueroa Alfredo Gomez

Nicholas Figueroa Jademeryll Gomez

Jessica Fleurissaint Jose Gomez

Allison Flores Luisa Gomezjames

Steve Flores Victoria Gonzales Sanchez

Jeanneth Flores Jennifer Gonzalez

Yasenia Flores Jonathan Gonzalez

Cristopher Galindo Flores Elaria Gonzalez

Jose Flores Angecela Gonzalez

Maria Flores Tereece Goodman

Julian Flores Gonzalez Melanie Gorotiza

ASAP Class of 2021

Shawn Graham Nabil Hussein
Zokyah Green Joseph Ibrahim
Nichola Greene Sabrina Igirisa
Ines Gregorek Rayan Imam
Alison Gualpa Narumon Inphayung
Kevin Guaman Aminul Islam
Weicong Guan Brandon Jackson
Jeancarlo Guiterrez Bianca Jackson
Brendan Gulston Justin Jacob
Anjali Gurung Bryanna Jalaluddin
Tsering Gurung Mayerlin Jaquez
Chhiring Gurung Ana Jara
Mariah Gutierrez Johanna Jaya
Erick Gutierrez Loja Jennifer
Bryan Gutierrez Ponpotsang Jigmey
Paula Guzman Georgina Jimenez
Giselle Guzman Derrick Jimenez
Diana* Guzman Ramirez Christopher Jiminez
Xiangarose Harley Segura Joel
Bryonna Harvey Terrence John
Mohamed Hassan Kohler John
Angelinea Hawkins Zenia Johnson
Nahseem Hayden Sunflower Johnson
Christine Heras Jahniya Johnson
Nancy Hernandez Nichelle Johnson
Melanie Hernandez Kimora Johnson
Tiffany Hernandez Naya Jones
Edgar Herrera Ialyah Jones
Odanny Hinojosa Delgado Jorge
Ibtisam Hinson Ortuno Jorge
Esparza Jorman
Alomgir Hossain Luke Joseph
Md (Sony) Hossain Elumeze Josephine
Manuel Juarez
Arafat Hossen Alameda Julissa
Yuci Huang

Lavita Hulasram

ASAP Class of 2021

England Kamberi Hang Lin
Fatima Karami Shuqi Lin
Moussati Karima Zexin Jason Liu
Youssef Kassem Edison Livizaca
Gurpreet Kaur Zenobia Llanos
Satarwari Kaur Andrea Lopez
Dikoda Kelly Luis Lopez
Juela Keven Adrianna Lopez
Numan Khalid Giselle Lopez
Hassan Khalil Brandon Lozano
Tanzu Khatun Nadya Lucero
Hassounya Kholoud Martha Lucero Calixto
Guzman Kilson Ziling Ma
Jada King Abdellah Mabaout
Elsar Kraja Yongying Mai
Wendy Lacan Brittany Mais
Khendo Lama Diamond Maitland
Susana Lama Phillip Malabanan
Tsering Lama Vongxay Malayphet
Jessica Landucci Sarally Maldonado
Joel Larraondo Victoria Manjarrez
Aruna Latchman Antonio Mannino
Christie Laurent Ioanna Manta
Christofer Lazo Yakelin Manzanares
Jonaz Leano Brianna Maravilla
Charice Lecointe Brittany March
Leah Leem Mau Marcus
Florence Lefebvre Patrick Marino Jr
Scott Leung Carolin Martinez
Nicholas Leung Ivan Martinez
Lucia Martinez
Alvarezemeterio Leuvy Norbery Martinez
Tsering Lhamo Raquil Martinez
Jiaming Li Kate Martinez
Yiyang Li
Patricia Ligon

ASAP Class of 2021

Giulio Mastantuono Stephanie Navarrete
Marisela Matamoros Kyana Neil
Bianca Mateo Ajla Neljkovic
Ricardo Mathison Binta Ngom
Stephen Mawuli Adames Nicole
Judith Mcintosh Genaogomez Nicole
Asia Mckenzie Zdravkovic Nikola
Haque Md Emdadul Brian Niola
Catherine Medina Jacqueline Niola
Julie Medina Nandanie Niranjan
Iqra Mehmood Jeff Noutamgnietake
Peguero Melvin Vielka Nunez
Andrez Mendez-Paris Lissette Nunez
Ausencia Mendoza Elisa Nunez
Tatiana Mercer Omotola Oluwaniyi
Andrew Merto Ashley Onofre
Michelle Miguel Viviana Orozco
Ivana Mikic Amanda Ortega
Chazney Miras Carolina Ortiz Cardona
Chanee Mitchell Nathallie Osorio
Ya Ping Mo Brenda Ouattara
Nasser Mogannahi Jocelyn Pablo
Khan Mohammad Nelly Pacheco
Edward Molina Jahkaylah Padgett
Manuel Monegro Canela Sandi Palaguachi
Luis Monge Georgios Panaousis
Lady Montesdeoca Morganne Parisien
Jonathan Morales Sangwon Park
Roxmery Moreira Charlize Parra
Stephanie Moses Tenzin Passang
Liah Paterson
Chen Muhua Elison Pena-Garcia
Galib Muktasin Delci Peraltabaez
Arturo Peres
Isabel Munoz Adriana Perez
Williams Nagi
Luz Narvaez

ASAP Class of 2021

Elian Perez Nadly Richard
Josaiah Phillips Leite Richard
Ashley Pianello Ferdinand Rios
Kevin Pichardo Estephania Rivas
Christopher Pierre Brianna Rivera
Chanley Pierre Adalia Rivera
Martin Pietrusiewicz Mohammad* Rizvi
Angel Pilamunga Malan Guadalupe Rodriguez
Fanny Pineda Samuel Rodriguez
Princess Pineda Abimelec (Joel) Rodriguez
Lesli Polanco Daniel Rodriguez
Zhade Pollard Kevin Rodriguez
Eliza Portillo Alvarado Carlos Rodriguez
Devin Powell Mary Rodriguez
Pandey Pravin Jessica Rodriguez
Byann Price Mariah Roldan
Valeria* Pries Sabrina Roman
Afrin Priyo India Roman
Emily Pujols Yahirobie Roman
Resham Pun Emmely Roman
Raianul Quader Jasmine Roman
Brenda Quattrini Veronica Romero
Diana Quezada Stephanie Romero
Khanammohammed Rabeca Marlon Romero
Syeda Rahman Angelica Rosado
Rubina Rahman Naisha Rosario
Elizabeth Rajcoomar Delvin Rosario
Mayra Ramirez Kennia Rosete
Diana Ramlal Gisel* Rua
Deseree Ramos Pullido Ryan
Breider Saamsbarker
Tonia Nicole Ramsey Mahvas Saba
Shumaila Rana Jennifer Salinas
Daisy Rescalvo Sara Saltos
Brenda Reyes Aly Samoura
Kailey Reynoso

ASAP Class of 2021

Fnu Samsunnahar Parks Syraiah
Enlly Sanchez Mendoza Tabitha
Valentina Sanchez Hiba Taha
David Sanchez Tasmin Tamanna
Jenise Sandoval David Tan
Fernando Sanmartin Shaban Tanveer
Nicole Santa Smith Tanzania
Yahandrys Santana Kemberly Tapia
Ashley Santiago Saima Tarannum
Habibur Santo Nouman Tariq
Cynthia Santos Gurung Tashi
Oscar Santos Robinson Tavares
Bryant Sa'Ny Angela Taveras
Kionna Scott Diamond Taylor
Jayson Severin Edwin Tenesaca
Mustafa Shaikh Gurung Tenzin
Khawar Shoaib Keshauna Thomas
Omonova Shokhsanam Sherece Thomas
Sarita Shrestha Hogan Thomas
Zachary Silvery Deja Thomas
Chaz Simmons Bryan Thomas
Velencia Simms Wacharis Thongpanich
Fatehinder Singh Durgana Tina
Khalil Smith Thomas Tisanna
Mary Smith Nancy Tlachino
Lauren M. Smith Bryan Toapanta
Mirta Soto Patryk Tolwinski
Garcia Stephanie Krismary Tomalaarroyo
Jordan Sternlieb Orlin Toribio
Anna Steto Kevin Torres
Olger Torres
Adriana Suarezpolanco Douglas Torresvalverde
Neama Sultana Katherine Trinidad
Iris Triunfel-Flores
Melissa Surgeary Vivian Tsang
Wiktoria Suszek

Tatiana Sutherland

ASAP Class of 2021

Edelen Tunise Taveras Wilson
Sazia Uddin Meng Hsuan Wu
Daniel Urbina Song Jin Wu
Karla Valdez Qiaoen Wu
Sofia Valencia Pengxiang Wu
Angie Valencia Velasquez Severino Wynee
Gabriela Vallarta Rodriguez Yairin
Bryan Valle Willy Yang
Stephanie Vallejo Chiang Yating
Shateahah Vance Qiaofeng Yin
James Vargas Donna Zambrano
Kevin Vargas Denisse Zarate
Jessica Vargas Zaina Zemihi
Bishamber Vashti Yingjie Zhou
Stephanie Vasiliou Eulalia Zhumi
Brandon Vasquez Rong Zou
Stephen Vasquez Tavarez Denisse Zumba
Danielle Veloz Rachel Baichoo
Gabriel Ventura
Daniel Villafana Ana Kiblyskyi Zorrilla
Kelly Villares Jean Paul Ramos
Steven Vishnay
Kaila Wade Gilliam Christina Tsavtarides
Kadasia Walker Annette Cruz-Gonzalez
Summer Walker Umma Urmi
Penelope Walthall Elba Mera
Jie Wang
Xiaofan Wang
Yaodi Wang
Eddie Washington
Prince-Israel Whitfield-Gibbs

Ferrel Widiatama
Jada Williams
Kayla Williams

Jonathan Willis





Special Thanks to:

LaGuardia President: Kenneth Adams

LaGuardia Provst: Paul Acario

LaGuardia Dean of Student Success: Ramon De Los Santos

ASAP Central Office Guests: Lesley Leppert, Theresa Williams, Francis Mosqui-
to, Diana Strumbos, Zineta Kolenovic, and Ancy Skaria

ASAP Central Office Jr. Video Producer: Maggie Brongniart

Front Line Staff: ASAP Main Office Frontline Team: Luis Ortiz, Ann Santiago,
Brendan Scott, Shazim Husain, Ayoka Christopher-Skinner, Hedit Marin, and
Aalia Aziz.

Resource Center Front Line Staff: Mia Nicer, Jonathan Santiago and Shira Selt-
zer
ASAP Resource Center Tutors: James Barrionuevo Guerra, Bingjing Dong, Nisha
Gurung, Lamia Hauter, Ai Inaba, Alex Quito, Sara Saleh, Daniel Talero, Songling
Xuan, Songling Yuan, Xiao Ming Zheng, Yiqing Li, Yixing Lin, and Khasan Khuliev

ASAP Student Success Partners: Natalia Cardenas, Ajay Lall, and Maria Dorado

ASAP Student Ambassadors: Juan Carlos Gil, Arlene Lind, Akrm Ahmed, Mark
Sookdeo

On Behalf of all the
Accelerated Studies in Associate Programs

Department Staff:

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not
he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

-Nelson Mandela