202144thCommencement Exercises

Saturday, June 12th

Candidates of the Classes ofSummer 2020 | Fall 2020 | Spring 2021

Welcome Adrian Smith, Chief Information Officer

Greetings Charles Armstrong, Chair, Board of Trustees

Remarks Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Honorary Degree Conferral Rafael Salamanca, Jr., New York City Council Member

Introduction of Joanne Passaro, PhD, President Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker Gary Jenkins, Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA)

Reflections Humphrey Crookendale, JD, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Maritza Samuel, School for Business Paul V. Passaro, School for Public Affairs and Administration Taiisha Herrera, Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education

Degree Conferral Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Presentation of Candidate names by school Degree Candidates

Special Congratulations Academic, Administrative and Student Support Services

Closing Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Virtual Commencement Order of Ceremony

1

Welcome Adrian Smith, Chief Information Officer

Greetings Charles Armstrong, Chair, Board of Trustees

Remarks Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Honorary Degree Conferral Rafael Salamanca, Jr., New York City Council Member

Introduction of Joanne Passaro, PhD, President Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker Gary Jenkins, Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA)

Reflections Humphrey Crookendale, JD, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Maritza Samuel, School for Business Paul V. Passaro, School for Public Affairs and Administration Taiisha Herrera, Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education

Degree Conferral Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Presentation of Candidate names by school Degree Candidates

Special Congratulations Academic, Administrative and Student Support Services

Closing Joanne Passaro, PhD, President

Congratulations, Graduates!

You have persevered through one of the most challenging years in our nation’s history, and you have achieved your academic goals! Every member of the MCNY community — trustees, faculty, and staff — salutes your important achievements. We recognize the hard work and sacrifices you made to make this dream a reality. And we are deeply proud that you chose to attend MCNY.

As our newest alumni, you have joined a powerful family of accomplished people who continue to support each other’s professional advancement long after graduation. We encourage you to stay connected to your classmates and to the faculty and staff who have supported you. Your success will continue to be a source of inspiration and renewal for all of us.

Graduate, this is your time to make history, and to use the power of Purpose-Centered Education to bring constructive change to our communities. More than ever before, our communities need your vision, your passion, and your talents. We know that you will continue to achieve great things, and that you will make the world a better place. We will be rooting for you every step of the way.

Thank you for the inspiration that you bring to me, to the MCNY community. Go out and be the change you want to see in the world!

Dr. Joanne PassaroPresident

A Message from the President

2

Rafael Salamanca Jr. is the Council Member for the 17th District of the New York City Council, representing the South Bronx and serves as Chair of the Land Use Committee.

The son of first-generation Puerto Rican immigrants, Council Member Salamanca grew up in the Bronx understanding the value of hard work and the importance of giving back to the community.

Beginning his career working in healthcare to expand access for low-income and working families, Council Member Salamanca went on to serve as the District Manager for Bronx Community Board 2 for nearly six years. As former President of the 41st Precinct Council, he worked closely with the NYPD and other local leaders to help improve public safety in the community.

Since his special election in 2016, Council Member Salamanca has been a champion for affordable housing bringing thousands of affordable units to his district and focusing on ensuring residents of all incomes has access to new apartments. Driving more than $52 million in capital investments to his district, Council Member Salamanca has fought for job creation by requiring companies investing in the community to hire local residents, and has committed to providing children in the Bronx with access to a quality education.

Recently, the City Council approved historic legislation sponsored by Council Member Salamanca that would require housing developments receiving city financial assistance to set aside at least 15% of its rental units for homeless families and individuals.

Council Member Salamanca resides with his wife Jessenia, and sons Justin and Aidan in the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx.

Metropolitan College of New York confers the degree ofDoctor of Humane Letters honoris causa upon:

Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

3

Gary Jenkins was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in September 2020 as Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA). In this capacity, he is responsible for working alongside the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in leading the largest local social services agency in the country; HRA serves over 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of major public assistance programs and strives to combat poverty and income inequality in New York City.

Gary has over 30 years of experience at the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and has held positions of leadership in numerous program areas including the Medical Insurance and Community Services Administration (Medicaid Program), the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), the Family Independence Administration (FIA), and the HRA Administrator’s Office.

Prior to his current role, Gary served as HRA First Deputy Commissioner, where he oversaw HRA’s Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA), Career Services, the Office of Child Support Services, and the Fair Fares program. Previously, he served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Family Independence Administration where he was responsible for and oversaw the administration of temporary cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and employment services for HRA clients.

Gary received his Master’s in Public Administration from Metropolitan College of New York in 2006 and his bachelor’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1999.

He resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and three daughters.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Gary P. Jenkins, MPA '06

4

CandidatesAudrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education

AA-Human ServicesMabounou Camara Daisy Campbell Tamara Carm-Lee Dorsainvil ¤ ΦΘΚJessica J. Fogle Nicole Hall ¤ Regina Gail Harris Renee Jackson Kerryann Angela Phinn Tiffany Pitts M¤ Diamond Ruiz ¤ Glorevee Solano Melinda Torres ¤ Esan Oronde Torrington S¤Tavia Turner ΦΘΚ Sheila Volney Karen Uvonne Wallace Earl Williams ¤ Xiao Zhen

BPS-Human ServicesGiselle G. Adams Lakiema LaTee Alexander Malika Faatmia Butler Nyshia V. Callum Franchesca Marie Capellan Takara Caraway Yatonia Sade Chestnut ✭Jasmine Cordero Linda Cotton Nicole Antionette Cowart M¤ Coata Dacueil Adriana Damasceno Anastacia Nadia Daniel Stephney Veronica Dawkins-Jones

Kim DeLoatch Aseelah Diamond Ackeem Dixon ¤ ΦΘΚ Jessica Ferguson ΦΘΚ Dadescar Michel Florvil Kashif R. Forehand Elizabeth Garcia ΦΘΚ Eunice T. Garcia Vanessa Garcia Ana F. Gomez Althea Amanda Gray ¤ ΦΘΚ Tameeka Gregg Icesha Grimes Nassira Hamdi ΦΘΚ Nicole P. Harris Sade Christine Hawkins Kevin Haynes Taiisha Christine Herrera S¤ ΦΘΚ Jacqueline Isaac Fayann C. James Maria Jimenez Daniel Benjamin Johnson Krystal Claire Johnson Nicole Virginia Lambus ¤ Tiffany Laster Dianasia Alexis Leach Kimberly Marie Leak M¤ ΦΘΚ Michael Malcolm ¤ ΦΘΚ Kenia Maracayo M¤ Khadijah Miller Elsa-Kay Mitchell-Fenton M¤ Joyce Morcilio-Nater ¤ Estefanie Mari Nieves ΦΘΚ Santa C. Pena Dania C. Perez Ismelda Maria Perez Nyema Rivers ΦΘΚ Taniqua C. Robinson Ileana Rodriguez Krystle Lynne Rodriguez ΦΘΚ

5

Yomil M. Rosas James Y. Street Sakiyna Switzer Ukachi Ama Uro Genesis Yvette Velazquez Bernice Vinales Tamu Ramatu Wagie Kashonda Ventura Williams Tenisha Wright ¤Jasmine Zurita

MSEd-Dual Childhood/ Special Education

Alexandria N. Abney Jack Ramell Anderson Elzana Bartell Melissa Lee Calderon Nicoleta Ceabuca Linda M. Clarke Nancy E. Cohill Christine Michelle Daniel Luminita David Loreal N. Dekattu Go'el Ellis Cheryl Fleming Alishia Gilbert Herman Grim Ornela Haderaj Veronica Y. Jones Keishada Leftwich Luz Molina Lucely Montolio Teri Elizabeth Nelson Karena M. Nicholas Kennedy L. Okhumeode Laura Cecilia Perez Michelle Ann Powell Ashleigh Leah Rand Tania Lynn Raymond Julissa Reynoso

Amaya Santos Jahara Solomon Ruben Toussaint Shantaye Walker Breahna Janeen Watkins-Cole Brandee Williams Earl N. Williams Nicole N. Williams Yiqi Yang

Candidates

6

School for Business

AAS-Information TechnologyAtiba Cyrus

AS-BusinessBarry E. Baptiste-Swift ✭Shariff Brown Rick Hart ¤ Kya Warner

BBA-BusinessTyniqua C. Albright Abdelrahman Aldaoud Eddie Alvarez Blake Augustus M¤ ΔMΔ ΦΘΚ Omer Faruk Bingol Ericka Brown Andy William Carrera ✭Leah Collins Anthony A. Creque M¤ ΦΘΚ ✭Shiia Crosby ~ Kyla Nicole Demas S¤Tiffany Shervonne Dingle Kimberley Downer M¤ ΔMΔ Cory Allen Easterling ¤ Ammer Gondal Gregory Guerrier Edin Herovic Nurookia Johnson Jeneice D. Jordan Moné Gabriella Joseph ¤ ΔMΔ Sareh Khajeh Poor ΦΘΚ Amin Khan ¤ ΔMΔ Raphael La Rose Tristen Shenay Lawrence Nellie Kim Lee Daniel Liverpool Veronica Lopez

Jabari Marlowe M¤ ΔMΔ ΦΘΚ ✭Crystal Mcleod Daiana C. Mercedes-Ventura ¤ Diane Nobou Jason S. Pearson Clément Portas M¤ ΔMΔ Laura Christiane Prédeval S¤ ΔMΔ Sulejman Ramusevic ¤ ΔMΔ Michelle A. Reece ~ Jessica Ritchens Tawanna Rivera Catherine Rodriguez ~ Marc J. Sabo Stephanie Santana Liz Simon ~ Sean Daniel Simon Ashley Small M¤ ΔMΔ ✭Devon Eric Smith ✭Jessica Stokes S¤ ΔMΔ Abdullah Syed Nikkia Sheane Thompson Merrellayana Waters ~ Kimesha Whyte Paula Willis-Davis Dawn Eartha Winfield M¤ ΔMΔ Yaxin Yu

BBA-Healthcare Systems Management

Natasha Abney Simone Alecia Allen Djeinabou Balde ΦΘΚ Dawattie Balkaran Maria Berishaj S¤ ΔMΔ Nateesha Bradley Keturah Rachel Bryant Lakeisha Shanae Bryant ✭Tiana Marie Calderon Kimberly Cardenes Sabrina Marie Castro

Candidates

7

Marsela Caushaj M¤ ΔMΔ Yuan Chen M¤ ΔMΔ Lotoya Jinel Clyne ΦΘΚShawanna Coyne ¤ ΦΘΚShondell Gregory Crocker Parmatie Dianand Latoya L. Farrar Courtney Indrani Francis Hervalyn Grant M¤ ΔMΔ Reshma Harry Staci Henry Nusrat Hossain Mildred C. Hubbard Ambher Asha Jackson ¤ Taisha Lashawn Jean Baptiste Khadejah S. Merchant Kristal Morris Alicia A. Mosquera Yaidza Osorio Gonzalez ¤ ΦΘΚ Francheska Perez Elsa Iris Quinones ¤ ΔMΔ Madeline Rey Debra Richardson Alexis R. Rivera Gloria M. Rojas Carol R. Shaw Cristina Silva Kiyvana Straker Shameca Sumter Mya Leilani Vazquez ΦΘΚ Dawanna Watson Dorian Wilson ¤ ΔMΔ

BBA-Information TechnologyJovany Glenny Benoit M¤ ΔMΔ ΦΘΚ Kediann Brown Steven Lee Burgess ✭Franciny Giraldo ¤ ΔMΔ ΦΘΚ ✭Arron Harris Agha R. Jafri

Michael Jellico ΦΘΚ ✭Joseph Alexander Morris Jorge Alejandro Navarrete S¤ ΔMΔ ✭Michael Phanelson Rashaan Solomon ✭

MBA-Media ManagementChristan Breedy Jennifer Charles ✭Irelys Johara Diaz Ocasio Monique Terrice Green ~ Keith Smith Elena Tarrant ΔMΔ Michelle Velez Pascale Zamor ΔMΔ

MBA-General ManagementCharles Opoku Acheampong ✭Ardian Ahmetaj Kara Badette Fatoumata Barrie Salmana Barrie Everette Baskin Alexander Sean Bennett ✭Khanthong Bounthisanh ΔMΔ Todd Bristow Molica Campbell Genevieve B. Cannon Yashira Lennis Cividanes Nykiea Zaneta Faustine Cohen Kassina Dwyer ΔMΔ Sana Etoile ΔMΔ Garrisha M. Goodman Sherod Graham ~ Tierra Brittney Graham Andrew Green ΔMΔ Gayner Madonna Sunshine Harley ~ ✭Shukufa Ismayilzada Heather Johnson ~ Rajashekar Krishna

Candidates

8

Daphnee Labidou Denikque Leslie-brown Emmanuel Luna Mercedes Maldonado Carolina Marcano Asad Mehmood Adrian Mills Yvette Mosely ~ Ahlam Mutheeb ΔMΔ Tamar M. Osorio Zaved Palak Akua Serwaa Peprah Simone PhillipsWebster Atiya Postell ~ Rustambek Rikhsibaev ✭Quade Mason Riley ✭Ilan Xavier Rivera ✭Sanllery Rachel Rodriguez Narelin Yulissa Sabio Maritza Samuel Telicia Nicole Speller Michelle A. Williams ΔMΔ

MBA-Financial ServicesAdjogan Yolande Akodenyon Natalia Arakilova ΔMΔ Dwayne Barratt ΔMΔ ✭Daouda Barry Cristie B. Cang ΔMΔ Sandy Neville Chauhan Demetrius Dudley Leonardo Gadotti de Figueiredo Jannelle Gibbs Nazmiye Asli Meddur Rhea Marie Uy Ong ΔMΔ Ujjwal Jayantibhai Prajapati

MBA-Healthcare Systems and Risk Management

Eric Acheampong ΔMΔ Bright Kwaku Agyemang ΔMΔ Nancy Alexandre ~ Lisa Asse Darsen Audain Kimberly D. Barker Madia Keller Brewer ΔMΔ Yolanda Renae Dawkins Yahaira Delgado Amie Dukuray Michael Busuyi Famakinwa ~ Patience Felder Charlene Flores Angelica Maria Gomez Katia Guers Stacy-ann Natoyah Hibbert Quinessa Hickman Mireille E. Hilaire ~ Nelson Humala Althea C. Johnson Shamea L. JohnsonMarie A. Jones ΔMΔKathy Lora Nicole McNeill Ruth M. Mirand ~ Elvys Jesus Mutis Jonathan J. Perez Bianca Wynona Alexis Cabalda Planas

Olivia Maryna Polovets ~ Taisha Pope Christina Liezle Salazar ΔMΔ Alex Sekyere Daniel Tomback ✭Diana Valdez Amarra Vital-Richards Celeste Wenegieme Rachael Williams Latanya Wilson ~

Candidates

9

School for Public Affairs and Administration

AA-Emergency Management and Business Continuity

Cherye Bailey Iris Denise Colon Jasmin John ¤

BA-Emergency Management and Business Continuity

Tifani-Rae Allen Edward M. Buckley S¤Samantha Castrillon ΦΘΚ Patrick DePierro M¤ Laitrice Edwards Eva M. Estevez Josh Green ✭Sherry Denise Henderson M¤ ΦΘΚ Mitchell Holloman ✭Jovanny Iglesia M¤ Audier Irizarry ¤ ΦΘΚ ✭Joseph Lacovara Leon Lengor M¤ ΦΘΚ Kevin McElroy S¤Jeremy McMaster M¤ ✭Paul Miano S¤Taina Pintor Luis Rovira S¤ ΦΘΚ ✭Daniel Matthew Tarter M¤ ✭Matthew L. Wilson S¤

MPA-Emergency and Disaster Management

Angelia Raquel Amores ✭Craig Auriemma ~ ✭Patrick Thomas Barelli ✭Tyrone E. Bleary ✭

Marie Laurence Boisette Josiah Brown John Byrnes ~ ✭Kenneth Cowart ✭John Allen DeArmond πAAOsemwegie Osa Eghafona Clifford Francois William Garcia ✭Flor-Maria Grant πAA ✭Jerome Green πAAChancellor Gregg Sattia Naomi Guberman Jannia Manigault πAA ✭James McKinlay πAA ✭Joseph Francis Neault ✭Paul V. Passaro ✭Misty Patterson Michael George Piskosz Alina Purisic Carmen Iris Quinones Elise Schwartz ✭Kadeem Adullah Short ✭Aurora Lily Some Emma Tracy ✭Deniece Vanessa Waruinge Chaka White Darryl Wilson Worku Woldemichael ✭

MPA-Public Affairs and Administration

Francisca Isabel Abreu Isabel Milagros Aquino Magdalen Arnheiter πAACynthia Augustin Olga Ayala Tenelle Belton Yaridania Deidad Betancourt πAAShelley-Ann Marly Bishop πAAAlthea Brooks-Thomas

Candidates

10

CandidatesMarcus Brown Lashonda Conner πAAChristine Crum Shelly N. Davidson πAAAleah Dawson πAASamantha Dunn Melissa Edwards-LaSanta Hannah Ektefaei πAASonya Benita Ford πAAT'Keyah Francis πAAStefanie Gonzalez πAACourtney A. Graham πAATheresa Grant ✭Shaquan Hammonds πAAShelleema Haywood Tyra Hendricks Janice InnissDetra Renee Johnson Natalie Dianne Johnson πAACathy Joseph Miles James Lowe πAAShatisha N. Lyles ~ Aneka Mathieson πAAPrincess Delaine McAnuff πAADebra Mccrary πAA Jason McNatt πAAAnnie Mei πAAMichelle Mohammed Cynthia Montour πAAJoyce Marie Moore Danielle Anita Morris-Mcbayne Jennifer Moses πAAFahad Nazir Darnae Nickens πAADareth Ogle Nerissa Bernadette Paul Tiffany Michelle Pinckney Cassandra Natasha Quick πAATeresa Quinones πAAJuanita Randall

Dayara Rodriguez πAAJose Rodriguez Shirley SanAndres-Alonzo πAAMichelle Schauer Carol A. Smith Suzanne Teraesa Sorrentino Nora Niteisha Stallworth πAAAja Stubbs πAAAndrea T. Thomas πAAJillian Rose Torres πAANieves Valdez Darnell Walden Atiya Watson Precious F. Wiggins πAAClarette Williams Leroy Williams πAAConstance M. Wilson Jabar Young πAA

Legend ¤ cum laude M¤ magna cum laude S¤ summa cum laude ΔMΔ delta mu delta πAA pi alpha alpha ΦΘΚ phi theta kappa

✭ Veteran~ Participants Summer 2021 (9 or less credits needed to complete degree)

11

Trustees and AdministrationBoard of Trustees

Charles Armstrong Chair

Wendy Cohen, JD Vice Chair

Andrew Davidson Treasurer

Frances Walton Secretary

Joanne Passaro, PhD President

Al Cafaro

Andrew Davidson

Warachal Eileen Faison, MD, CMD

Louise H. Feroe, PhD

Charles Gray, DSW Faculty Trustee

Gary P. Jenkins, MPA '06

Paul P. Martin, Esq.

Matthew D. Metzger

Jonathan Reiss

John S. Rodgers

Constance Robinson-Turner, MPA '00

Grace G. Roosevelt, PhD

Melanie Schnoll Begun, JD

Ninfa Segarra, JD

Thomas L. Webber, PhD

Silvia Zerr

AdministrationJoanne Passaro, PhD

PresidentIsabel Cabrera

Executive Assistant to the President

Humphrey Crookendale, JD Vice President for Academic Affairs

Amy Greenstein Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Services

Michelle Blankenship Chief Financial Officer

David F.A. Walker Interim Chief Development Officer

Adrian Smith Chief Information Officer

Joanne Ardovini, PhD Dean of the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services, Education, Public Affair & Administration, Human Services & Common Curriculum Program Director

Clotilde Ibarra Dean of Students

John Edwards Executive Director for the Bronx Campus and College-Wide Career Development Office

Kate Adler Director of Library Services

Joanna Boston Associate Director of Student Records & Registration

Tina Georgiou Director of Communications and Alumni Relations

Taurean Kennedy Bursar

Michael Molina Director of Student Services

Judith Santiago Director of Human Resources

Nathan Schiller Director of Academic Support

Lakhbir Singh Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Shawana Singletary Director of Admissions and Recruitment

Anthony Williams Director of Institutional Research and Assessment

12

FacultyFull-Time Members of the Faculty

MCNY Commencement CommitteeJoanna BostonTina GeorgiouDavid HahnVirak (Romeo) Han

Clotilde IbarraRadhika JhaMike MolinaJudith Santiago

Nate SchillerLakhbir SinghSunay TamashevAhmed Wing

Solomon Appel, MBAJoanne Ardovini, PhDLessie Branch, PhDHumphrey Crookendale, JDEric Fuchs, PhDCharles Gray, DSWHeide Hlawaty, EdD

Patrick Ianniello, PhD Radhika Jha, MARalph A. Leal, MS

(Dean Emeritus of the School for Business)

Sophie Jiseon Lee, PhDRuth E. Lugo, PhDFrances Meyer, EdD

Philip Nufrio, PhDPamela Ransom, PhDDavid Rosner, PhDLouis Tietje, PhDDoru Tsaganea, PhDAdele Weiner, PhD

13

FacultyFull-Time Members of the Faculty

The Traditions of Academic AttireThe origins of academic dress date back to the 12th century when universities were taking form. The typical dress of the scholar, whether student or teacher, was the dress of the cleric. The assignment of colors to signify academic subjects was standardized in 1895, when an intercollegiate commission in the United States adopted a code of academic dress.

According to the academic costume code, the gown for the Bachelor’s degree has pointed sleeves and is designed to be worn closed. The gown for the Master’s degree has oblong-shaped sleeves and can be worn open or closed. The gown for the Doctor’s degree has bell-shaped sleeves with velvet bands on the sleeves and down the front.

The hoods which are worn hanging down the back signify the school and nature of study. At MCNY, the hoods are black, white and red and the trim represents the degree. For Bachelor of Arts candidates in the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education, the color of the hood trim is white; for Bachelor of Professional Studies candidates, the color of the hood trim is yellow; and for Master of Science in Education candidates, light blue. For those in the Master of Public Administration programs in the School for Public Affairs and Administration, the hood trim is peacock blue. All candidates in the business programs in the School for Business wear the hood trim color taupe. For associate degree candidates, the colors of the hood trim are red and white.

A Unique Institution…MCNYDriven by a holistic vision of a better world, Audrey Cohen created a succession of organizations to address the dual issues of economic development and social improvement. Through her lifelong commitment to the interconnected ideals of social justice, educational excellence, and economic opportunity, Ms. Cohen continues to be esteemed as one of the most innovative and respected education reformers in the world.

Her enduring commitment, to create employment and educational opportunities for all, stemmed from her activism during the civil rights and women’s movements in the 1950s and 60s. It was also rooted in her conviction that education must empower individuals to take charge of their own lives and to make positive change in organizations and communities.

In 1964 Audrey Cohen founded the Women’s Talent Corps which a few short years later emerged as The College for Human Services. Prior to her passing in 1996, it was named Audrey Cohen College, and in 2002 the name was changed to Metropolitan College of New York.

Metropolitan College of New York continues to realize our founder’s vision of developing innovative academic programs that prepare students to become critical thinkers and effective communicators so that they can contribute to their organizations and communities.

Bronx Campus

463 East 149th StreetBronx, NY 10455

718-665-7787

Manhattan Campus

60 West StreetNew York, NY 10006

212-343-1234 ext.5001

www.mcny.edu facebook.com/mcnyedu instagram.com/mcnyedu