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