Fall 2021 Booklet - Final V1

Welcome to the
Fall 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Dear students, friends, family and colleagues,

Welcome to the official Fall 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony. We are so proud to
share this moment with all of you– and we hope that the Pinning Ceremony
presentation instills in you a sense of pride for your accomplishments here at
LaGuardia Community College. On behalf of all the faculty and staff of the City
University of New York, Congratulations.

Our celebration will begin at 5:30pm on December 15th, online hosted by ASAP
LaGuardia’s remote transmission team via our Youtube page as a live stream.

For instant access, or to invite friends and family, please use the following link:
www.youtu.be/wlOeWHQW50M

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

December 15th 2021, 5:30 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 Fall 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Leadership Address Speakers

LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams

Kenneth Adams was appointed president of LaGuardia
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 devel-
opment at Bronx Community College (BCC) from 2016–
2020—leading the departments of Adult and Continuing
Education, Workforce Development, Career Services, Com-
munity and Economic Development, and the Center for
Sustainable Energy.

ASAP Director Matthew Eckhoff

Matthew Eckhoff has served as the Director of the Accelerat-
ed Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) at LaGuardia Commu-
nity 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, particularly with these popu-
lations that he identifies with. Matthew is currently enrolled in the Doctorate in
Higher Education Administration program at the University of Southern Mississip-
pi. He looks forward to utilizing his education to continue helping provide individu-
als with increased access to higher education opportunities to benefit the lives of
themselves, their families. and their communities.

This year, the ASAP Pinning Ceremony welcomes it’s first ever Student Hosts.
These are active ASAP Students who went above and beyond in representing
their fellow graduating classmates by giving their time, energy and positive
vibes to help our Pinning Ceremony truly represent our student-body.
The ASAP team gives its warmest appreciation and gratitude to these students
for helping our program dare to do more in the ways of celebrating the most
important product of LaGuardia: Student Success.

My name is Daniell Tingling, and I am a Criminal Justice
student at LaGuardia Community College. I am also a
graduating member of the Class of 2021! My next step is
to attain my bachelors degree from the John Jay College
of Criminal Justice. I am so thankful for everything I
learned at LaGuardia and I am eager to begin my next
steps in education!

Don’t forget:
“the only impossibly journey is the one you never begin”
-Anthony Robbins

Hello everyone, my name is Zack Bernsen
and I am a LaGuardia Student majoring in
Business Administration, and a member of
the Class of 2022. Ultimately I want to go to
Baruch for my four year, and my career aspi-
rations are work for large scale firm and then
eventually start my own company and be a
business owner!

My name is Maryah Rodriguez and I am a
graduating member of the Class of Fall
2021, majoring in Liberal arts: Math and
Science. I have not yet decided from my
acceptances (attending in Fall2022). I aspire
to do a few things either in education, com-
munication, media or business. Each hold a
place dear to me. Remember to not com-
pare your progress to others and praise
yourself even for the tinniest of wins.

“I’d rather put my energy into my dreams in-
stead of my nightmares”

The Fall 2021 ASAP Pinning Ceremony

Featured Students and Staff

Sangae Choden Dorji was born and raised in Bhutan. She
is currently majoring in Human Services: Mental Health
here at LaGuardia Community College and is a member
of the ASAP program. Her goal is to one day become an
academic advisor or school counselor.
She is honored by the amazing opportunity to perform
for the ASAP pinning ceremony with the support from
the ASAP team!
Performing: I’ll be There—Walk off the Earth

Yuri Feliciano, born and raised in Shizuoka Japan, is a
flutist. While performing as a singer-songwriter over 10
years, she decided to switch to playing flute completely
when she found her musical enthusiasm in Shakuhachi
which is Japanese bamboo flute 3 years ago. "Before I
started to learn how to play Shakuhachi, I wanted to
learn a universal language in music", that was when she
picked up flute. She has been playing flute for 2 years.
Her influences are Japanese traditional music, Western
classical music, Latin music, and Jazz. Her recent idol is
Hubert Laws. Currently she is attending at LaGuardia
Community College majoring in Music Performance and getting ready to transfer
to a 4-year conservatory.

Performing: My Funny Valentine—Frank Sinatra

Lucia Martinez-Jimenez Molano
is a Class of 2021 graduating
senior at LaGuardia Community
College. Inspired by her exten-
sive experience in the food ser-
vice industry, Lucia enrolled at
LaGuardia to earn a degree in
Business Administration and is
an active member of the Phi
Theta Kappa Honor Society. She
aspires to pursue a career in Op-
erations Management, at the
Zicklin School of Business at
Baruch College to mentor and
develop future leaders of industry.

She Enjoys reading anything and everything written by astrophysicist Neil

DeGrasse Tyson and making handmade papercrafts in her free time, in

addition to caring for her two beautiful children and her extensive house-

plant collection.

"Knowing where you came from is no less important than knowing where you
are going."

-Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Holly Porter-Morgan is a Professor of Environment Science at the City
University of New York (LaGuardia Community College) and Director of
the Environmental Science Program. She also serves as the Program Di-
rector for President’s Society Environment. In these roles, she collabo-
rates with community partners and conducts research on urban ecology,
green infrastructure, and coastal resilience. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology
with a specialization in Plant Science from the Graduate Center, CUNY
and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from New York University. Dr.
Porter-Morgan was instrumental in establishing a series of extra-
curricular opportunities with community groups and governmental organizations that combined
civic engagement and service learning. Through these extra-curricular activities, which include
monitoring air pollution with handheld meters, water quality testing, visits to Newtown Creek, and
street tree care, students explore connections between their coursework, issues of concerns in
their communities, and in the global environment.

Burhan Siddiqui is the Registrar at LaGuardia Community College.
He is a pillar of the LAGCC community and his work includes man-
aging the Registrar’s operations, student registration, matriculation
and graduation, classroom assignment and executive leadership.
You may not have known it, but during every enrollment, class
session and meeting you had with LaGuardia– Burhan played a roll
in setting that up in some capacity.

Caroline Mendez, is an Alumni from LaGuardia Community College receiving
an A.A.S. in Computer Operations which lead her to SUNY Empire State Col-
lege where she received her baccalaureate degree in Cultural Studies. She
then has went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs/Studies at
Queens College. Caroline has been employed with LaGuardia Community
College for 23 years which since 2007 she has had the greatest experience in
working with the ASAP Program as the Administrative Coordinator working
with the many Directors of the program and the wonderful staff members
that in directly made me want to do more. In 2019, she switched over to the job of her dreams as
an ASAP Academic Advisor where she has had such a great opportunity to help students get from
point A to point Z and graduate to go on and continue their future endeavors. A special thanks to
her Students/Graduates she is so very proud of you all!

Liana is a Brooklyn native. She attended the Bronx High School of Science and then
went to the University of Wisconsin at Madison where she minored in Women's Stud-
ies and double majored in African-American Studies and Political Science. After college
she moved to London, England where half her family is from and worked in hospitality.
She returned to NYC to pursue her Master's in Public Administration at Baruch Col-
lege. She previously worked at iMentor helping recent immigrant students at the Inter-
national High School at Lafayette work with their mentors and apply to college. She
has been at ASAP at LaGuardia for 3 years and is very proud of her student's success.
She enjoys motivating her students, discussing their highlights and lowlights and see-
ing them reach their goals. In her free time Liana hangs with her cats (Desus & Mero),
cooks, read and catches up with friends and family.

Stephanie has been an advisor with the ASAP Program at LaGuardia Community
College since the fall of 2018. Prior to joining the ASAP Program, Stephanie taught
Italian in the NYC DOE for four years. Stephanie received her Bachelors of Arts in
Adolescent Education with a minor in Italian studies from Pace University, gradu-
ating Magna Cum Laude. She then went on to receive her Masters of Science in
Education in Educational Technology. When she is not advising students, Stephanie
can be found making dinner in her apartment and watching The Great British Bake-
Off with her boyfriend, who up until 3 months ago didn’t know his choux paste from
his toothpaste. Those who know Stephanie would describe her as a caring and gen-
erous person while those who don’t know Stephanie would be confused as to who
you are asking them to describe.

ASAP Advisor Marlenes Berroa, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, when
she came in to NYC in 1996, she only knew basic English. Her passion and drive for
a better future, made her understand that the English language was not going to be
an obstacle for her to continue her education in NYC. After taking English classes for
a year, she attended Hostos Community College in the Bronx, where she earned her
Associates Degree in Gerontology “The scientific study of old age, the process of
aging, and the particular problems of old people”. Ms. Berroa then proceeded to
attend Lehman College also located in the Bronx where she earned her Bachelor’s in
Social Work. After working about 8 years in with and for the community in the social
work field, Ms. Berroa the decided get her Masters’ Degree in Education, which she
earned from Alfred University in Alfred New York. Ms. Berroa loves working with and for the community. She
believes that education is power and regardless where we might end up in this, wonderful world of ours, your
education and knowledge is the one thing that no one can take away from you!

Brett Cummings is currently an Academic Advisor in the A.S.A.P at LaGuardia Com-
munity College. He hails from Westchester County, New York. His alma mater is
Mercy College in which during that time the seeds of working youth and education
was planted. He was fortunate enough during his collegiate experience to engage
with faculty and staff that were helpful, knowledgeable and relatable and vowed that
if ever given the opportunity, he’d love to help students that come behind him the
same way people were able to help him during his college journey. Brett’s motto is
you get one chance at life so make it the best one possible. The achievement of grad-
uating 200 students for Brett isn’t an achievement for him but a celebration of all the
hard work those 200 students put in. Now that they have achieved the goal of grad-
uation, it is his hope that the information and knowledge that he shared with them during their time working
together they can share with others that come after them.

Graduate

Roll Call

ASAP Class of 2021

Nicole Adames Crystal Barrientos
Viona Agushi Dayanara Barrientos Corril
Ali Ahmed Meriet Basily
Thalia Aiken Daimy Beras
Muhima Aktar Priyanka Bhandari
Sharmin Akter Pavalur Bhuiyan
Most Akter Kunte Bishamber
Roberto Alatorre Giselle Bravo Hernandez
Yeimmy Aldana Leanny Brito
Deidania Amarante Bradly Brito Dominguez
Maha Amer Egma Bueno
Vanessa Arriaga Anthony Cabello
Ryan Arteaga Weifeng Cai
Gressi Asmal Justin Camacho
Matthew Auda Jordan Campbell
Abraham Aviles Deanna Cao
Haymann Aye Cindy Caroline
Amber Badar Jose Carranza
Joshua Bailey Wynta Carter
Evelyn Baizan Ambrose Carter
Rebekah Baldonedo Patrick Cashman
Elvis Bardhoshi Caesar Castillo
Amourelle Barnese Darling Castillo
Jorge Barrera Tania Castro
Saiku Barrie Sukyee Cham

ASAP Class of 2021

Hiuchun Chan Nattaly Delgado
Maya Cheatham Litzy Delgado
Kerlin Chen Daphne Delgado
Celline Chen Yuly Delgado
Yamin Choudhury Mirian Delrosario
Minhazur Choudhury Jonathan Diaz
Jonell Christian Peter Diaz
Camilo Chudin Gabriela Diazabreu
Ivanna Cleto Shiyi Ding
Bryan Concha Adnaan Doria
Edwin Corteza Barca Fatima Dorval
Allana Cotino Desire Dowdy
Aicha Coulibaly Felix Duran
Maria Crespo Yamile Duran
Darlene Cristopher Davida Durant
Ashley Cruz Atahan Elbeyli
Luis Cuacuamoxtla Karla Espejo
Johency Cueto Mirian Estevez
Angela Daley Diane Estime
Hamza Dalia Vivianna Fabian
Samuel Damy Nicol Fernandez
Claudia Dandos Eduardo Flores
Mellony Daniels Yasenia Flores
Bekhruz Davronov Faye Foxworth
Lussette DelaCruz Castillo Molena Fraites

ASAP Class of 2021

Raquis Gaddy Estela Hernandez
Maftuna Gafarova Melanie Hernandez
Wenjun Gao Diana Hernandez
Deisy Garcia Gustavo Hernandez Xocoy
Fabian Garcia Shamell Heywood
Ana Garcia Emdadul Hoque
Jaime Garcia Sayeba Hossain
Dulce Garciaestrada Tasnova Hossain
Edgar Garcia Guinea Ananna Hossain
Gisel Gaviria Weihang Huang
Nicole Genaogomez Becky Huang
Ahmed Genedy Shazim Husain
Ruth Glover Mae Hussien
Jonathan Gonzalez Tania Hyppolite
Maryhelen Gonzalez Brandon Jackson
Alan Gonzalez Justin Jacob
John Griffin Saba Jahan
Rushnell Griffith Bryanna Jalaluddin
Fatou Gueye Malik Jan
Brendan Gulston Arhum Javed
Courtney Guscott Emmanuel Christy Jean Louis
Zulqarnain Haider Andre Jenkinsjr
Jasmine Haley Jhansie Jewaram
Terike Henry Ialyah Jones
Youssef Kassem
Doomary Heredia

ASAP Class of 2021

Gurleen Kaur Navendra Mangal
Viktoryia Kisel Yakelin Manzanares
John Kohler Magan Marcellehall
Amanda Konatsotis Jacqueline Marcellin
Lichen Lai Jordan Martin
Tsering Lama Jasmin Martinez
Jiten Lama Kate Martinez
Danielle Laurent Lucia Martinez Jimenez Molano
Kazany Leacock Marcus Mau
Andy Lema Selassie Mawuko
Sulai Lewis Shopna Mazumdar
Qipu Li Carlos Medina
Rongrong Li Franci Medrano
Jianqi Li Shuyu Mei
Xiaohong Li Michelle Mejia
Huimin Liao Janet Menacastillo
Huichan Liao Tabitha Mendoza
Patricia Ligon Jason Mendoza
Yan Lin Isabel Michaca
Taray Liverpool Hamlet Milaneminaya
Jenifer Llapa Eugene Mohamedhoesein
Stephanie Luciano Perez Andrew Montana
Nithley Luna Lady Montesdeoca
Adnan Mahmood Shefat Moral
Bryana Maldonado April Morales

ASAP Class of 2021

Danna Morales Christopher Picon
Ajna Morina Kevin Pimentel
Zana Mujaj Maifer Pina
Omar Mukadam Princessnicole Pineda
Galib Muktasin Miangeli Pineiro
Juancarlos Munera Rafael Poten
Juan Mutis Farjana Priya
Min Naing Nicole Puza
Luzestela Narvaez Barrios Aleena Qamar
Maham Naz Alesha Qamar
Lauren Neville Saifur Rahman
Ariel Ng Markus Rai
Jeremy Nunez Rosa Ramirez
Cristina Nunez Bryan Ramos
Hazel Ortega Eric Rasaili
Omar Ortega Samiyah Reid
Madeline Ortiz Norman Reyes
Jocelyn Pablo Santiago Reyes
Lalsa Pandit Shneur Ribner
Kayla Parker Moises Rioslindao
Syraiah Parks Oscar Rivera
Aaron Pazmino Taimara Rivera
Tenzin Pema Kayla Robinson
Yanery Peralta Pena Moises Rodriguez
Vincent Petulla Maryah Rodriguez

ASAP Class of 2021

Johnny Rodriguez jr Angelica Susuki
Alyssa Roman Angela Sze
Astrid Romero Nabin Tamang
Destiny Rosales Junior Tamayo Sanchez
Alva Ruiz Tenzin Tashi
Ashley Sanchez Hannah Taustine
Delilah Sanchez Karina Tavarez
Jennifer Sanchez Sharlyn Taveras
Yasmin Sanchez Edwin Tenesaca
Jenise Sandoval Alex Javier Tenezaca
Lauryn Santos Juhi Thakur
Christopher Saunders Daniell Tingling
Sabiba Sayed Amal Toaimah
Chani Sellers Monika Torma
Taesha Serna Kevin Torres
Wynee Severino Diana Torres
Amed Seybou Daniel Tse
Dillon Shaw Domineece Turner
Kasang Sherpa Daniel Urbina
Kushal Shrestha James Vargas
Erick Sierra Gomez Madilyn Vargas
Rafaela Simplicio Rebeca Vega
Stacyan Smith Sabel Vega Castillo
Alyssa Strubbe Alejandro Vegas
Tahreem Suleman Rodney Ventura

ASAP Class of 2021

Anais Villegas
Bedros Wannes
Tiana White
Jada Williams
Dwight Williams
Ashanti Williams
Ebonee Williamson
Hadriana Winwordl
Tiffany Wong
Yingyin Xu
Valeria Ybarra
Diana Yepes

Hey Graduates fill in this survey for a chance at:

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the design of future ASAP-LAGCC arrangements, and

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Special Thanks to:

LaGuardia President: Kenneth Adams

LaGuardia Dean of Student Success: Ramon De Los Santos

ASAP Central Office Leadership: Christine Brongiart, Lesley Leppert, and
Theresa Williams.

Front Line Staff: ASAP Main Office Frontline Team: Luis Ortiz, Ann Santiago,
Brendan Scott, and Shazim Husain.

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, Sara Saleh, Songling Xuan, Songling Yuan, Xiao Ming
Zheng, Sabiba Sayed, and Yiqing Li.

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

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

ASAP Financial Aid Assistant: Odalys Martinez

On Behalf of all the
Accelerated Studies in Associate Programs

Department Staff: