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In April, students and staff from York College’s Center for Disabilities and Student Government, among others, had the tremendous opportunity to welcome Vice President Kamala Harris when Air Force II landed at La Guardia Airport! Our students gave the Vice president a huge York College welcome and she greeted them with personal hellos full of warmth and smiles. U.S. Representative Grace Meng, a longtime friend of York College and a legislator making a huge difference for Queens and the nation, met VP Harris as she stepped onto the tarmac. It was an unforgettable day!

We also celebrated Dr. Margaret Vendryes in a special event organized by York College Fine Arts Gallery Director Nicholas Fraser. Students, alumni, and artists gathered to share how Dr. Vendryes influenced their lives and careers. Dr. Vendryes, who passed unexpectedly last March, served as Chair of York College’s Department of the Performing and Fine Arts and was Director of York’s Fine Arts Gallery.

Dr. Vendryes’ art is powerful, insightful and unforgettable -- just as she was and still remains. Dr. Vendryes’ art gives voice to inclusion, beauty, power, and visibility. You will be inspired, just as I am every time I visit the gallery and reflect on the memory and impact of Dr. Vendryes.

Happy Spring!

Berenecea Johnson Eanes

President

York Alumna to Receive Presidential Medal

We are thrilled that Deborah Persaud MD, an internationally-known Pediatric AIDS Researcher and member of the Class of 1981, will be presented with the Presidential Medal of Honor at this year’s Commencement Ceremony on June 1 at the UBS Arena. Dr. Persaud will also be a keynote speaker. More than 1,000 students are graduating from York College this year!

A professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Persaud’s research interests include HIV/AIDS drug development and mother-to-child HIV transmission. She holds joint appointments in international health and molecular microbiology. She is also chair of the Scientific Committee of the International, Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) group.

Dr. Persaud, who graduated with a degree in Chemistry from York, specializes in the study and treatment of HIV-1 infection in children and directs the pediatric infectious diseases fellowship program at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. For her groundbreaking work, Dr. Persaud was awarded the Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award for HIV research; and recognized by “Nature” magazine in 2013 as “One of Ten People Who Mattered This Year,” and in “Time” magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2013” for her pediatric HIV treatment research.”

As an undergraduate, Dr. Persaud was primarily mentored by the late Chemistry Professor Paul Young and conducted a semester’s worth of research in the microbiology lab of Dr. Leslie Lewis. The science scholar went on to earn her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and trained in pediatrics at Babies Hospital/Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, where she was chief resident.

York College is excited to have this distinguished member of its alumni community return to encourage the Class of 2023. We look forward to hosting Dr. Persaud at UBS Arena, where the Commencement exercises will be held.

York College’s Spring Symposium showcased the talent and research of faculty members Dr. Dawn Roberts-Semple, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Physical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Efstathia Korkou, Assistant Professor, Department of Business and Economics, School of Business and Information Systems; and Dr. Jennette Allen-McCombs, Ph.D., LMSW, Assistant Professor, Deputy Chair, Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences and Professional Programs. It was an outstanding program and seeded the kind of thought-provoking dialogue and collaboration that is born from great research.

We are excited that our exceptional faculty are among those who make new discoveries, leading to new ways of approaching and solving some of the most salient issues facing our communities, the nation and the world.

Breaking Ground: Track & Field

It’s a dream come true for York College: Construction begins on the College’s new 400-meter track and field in June! The College’s new outdoor track and field, the only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level track and field in Southeast Queens, is a game changer.

Slated for completion in June 2024, the 400-meter running track will also feature long jump runway strips, pole vaulting opportunities, a soccer field, and more. The new site will not only benefit York College students but the entire community too, as the space will also serve as a recreational site for Southeast Queens families, community groups, and local sports teams.

The dedication of elected officials and neighboring organizations, who worked in collaboration with the College for more than a decade to make this dream a reality, demonstrates that we are truly One York. We are thankful for the funding provided by the Office of the Queens Borough President, NYC Council, and the State of New York to make this long-awaited renovation a reality.

“Now our students can practice on their home turf in preparation for national and local competitions,” said York Athletic Director use Zak Ivkovic. “The new track will also allow us to host NCAA-level events, such as championships and tournaments,” he added.

On the academic front, the new track facility will be a boon to the College’s Physical Education (PE) Majors who often select Track and Field as one of their four required sports classes. In addition, PE majors and students considering joining Track and Field as team members have an opportunity to develop and acquire the motor learning skills needed for speed, mid-distance and long distance running, long jump, high jump, hurdles, relay races, and field strength and throwing events, such as the shot put, discus, the javelin and hammer. “Access to a quality, certified site prepares the PE teacher education major for a real-time environment supporting skills learning and execution in a safe space,” said Dr. Linda R. Barley, Chair of York College’s Health and Human Performance Department.

Stay tuned for construction updates and a groundbreaking ceremony in June!

Leading the Way: Positive Police Reform

Positive police reform was front and center at York College this month, when approximately 150 people participated in a Police Officer Wellness training course hosted by York College Public Safety. Conducted by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Department, the College hosted the NYPD, MTA, State Troopers, Sheriffs, Corrections, CUNY Public Safety, the Division of Criminal Justice, and local police municipalities, including Nassau and Suffolk. The program was co-instructed with law enforcement officers and culturally competent mental health clinicians.

During the training, officers explored how to identify common mental health risk factors; as well as life expectancy, divorce rates and other issues that are associated with a career in law enforcement. Notably, participants also learned about how hypervigilance when policing can create a negative reaction cycle. Each participant had the opportunity to develop wellness plans for building and sustaining personal and professional wellness and resilience. York College is the only CUNY campus and Public Safety Department that has hosted this type of law enforcement wellness training on such a large scale.

“It is critical that officers have the tools to promote and strengthen their mental health,” said York Public Safety Chief James Assman. “Emotional well-being leads to better policing and stronger, more positive, relationships within the communities the officers serve,” he explained. “York College will continue to engage in efforts bring about positive police reform and this is an important step in that direction.”

On Site with One of the Big 4!

From Freshman to Seniors, York College accounting students convened at Deloitte’s headquarters at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan for a special networking and professional development event. One of the “Big Four” global accounting firms, Deloitte recruiters and executives from the Company’s Advisory, Audit and Tax Departments had the opportunity to meet with our students – talented individuals who are poised to become the next generation of finance leaders. Deloitte isn’t the only company connecting with York College students: Many students intern at other financial firms, including JP Morgan, MasterCard, the Big 4, and some top 50 accounting firms. All interns collaborate with their employers to host workshops, such as the event held at Deloitte, as a means of furthering opportunities for their classmates. York College student Rachael Kharag, Vice President of the York College chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, arranged the event. Next up – on site visits with Big Four KPMG and Grant Thornton, the #5 top firm in the country.

National Grid US Powers Up Innovation

York College’s Executive Leadership Breakfast featured Reverend Carla M. Hunter Ramsey, National Grid’s Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement, as its Keynote Speaker. Introducing her was York College Earth and Physical Science Professor Shirley Jackson. York College Foundation board member Juan M. Santiago, National Grid’s Manager of Customer & Community Management, joined forces with Reverend Ramsey and together they led a fantastic presentation and discussion on how we prepare students and local businesses for future energy changes.

Seven Thousand Miles to York College

Maham Naz travelled more than 7,000 miles from her home country of Pakistan to move to New York City with her husband Noor. “His support of my dream of going into the medical profession, the love from my family still in Pakistan, and the advisement from York faculty give me the courage to succeed a world away from where I grew up,” said Maham.

Maham left Pakistan while in the process of studying for her Pharma D degree. Once she got on the plane for the long journey to the U.S. to join Noor, she began to explore how to continue her education.

Maham found that CUNY was exactly the right next step. After earning her Associate Degree at LaGuardia Community College, she transferred to York and is now a biology major. Once she earns her B.S., Maham plans to apply to York’s nationally recognized Physician Assistant Graduate Program.

“I love biology, especially the dissection labs and looking under the microscope, but I want to work with people to help them get healthy and stay healthy,” she said. “Now I’m interning in a clinic where I check blood pressure and help with patient care, and I love that,” she added. “As a future Physician Assistant, I can take the time to listen to people, understand their needs and help them make a plan,” she explained. “So many people helped me, especially at York College, and so I know what it’s like to need and get support and I want to do that for others.”

Maham attributes her success at York to several factors, including help from the Women’s Center and the College’s Accelerate, Engage and Complete (ACE) initiative. “Through ACE, I had a dedicated college advisor and I’ve received financial help for books, Metrocards, and tuition. I am so grateful for how York cares about its students.” When she isn’t studying or interning, Maham stays close to her roots as an active member of the Muslim Student Association Club.

“The College is like having a second family. And, the confidence my husband has in me, the encouragement from my two daughters who tell me they know ‘it’s Mama’s time to study,” and the love of my parents who believe in me, show me that no matter what happens in your life, how many times you fail, or cry, or can’t find time to do homework, it is possible to carry on and to succeed.”

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