The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Education Program Partners Public Housing Community Fund Top Story 

Celebrating This Year’s NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship Awardees

Joshua Olesker

Ninety-one NYCHA residents who are also students at City University of New York (CUNY) colleges took home scholarships at this year’s NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held at NYCHA’s Ceremonial Room on October 18. This represents the largest number of NYCHA-CUNY Scholars to receive awards in any year since the program was established in 2005.

Scholarship winners and their families were welcomed to the ceremony by Josephine Melendez and Pam Arnett of NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES). Featured speakers at the event included representatives from the program’s partner organizations: NYCHA’s CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, Vice President of Learning & Development Tischelle George, and Senior Director of Resident Initiatives Shanna Castillo; CUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor Ian James; and the Public Housing Community Fund’s Deputy Director Claire McLeveighn.

“The NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program is a testament to the power of education and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt told the assembly. “By working together to provide financial support and opportunities, we are empowering NYCHA residents to pursue their dreams and unlock their full potential. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the funders, partners, and NYCHA staff who have dedicated their time and resources to making this program a success. Your contributions inspire the next generation of leaders and change-makers.”

On October 18, 91 proud residents took home NYCHA-CUNY scholarships
that will help defray the costs of their university education.

NYCHA-CUNY Scholarships, which support the university studies of NYCHA residents, may be awarded to members of the NYCHA community who are enrolled full-time at CUNY colleges and who have successfully maintained a GPA of at least 3.0. The program has grown to include seven distinct scholarship opportunities in 2024:

  1. NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships: Established in 2005 by NYCHA, this program awards scholarships to NYCHA residents who are solid 3.0 students enrolled full-time at CUNY colleges; the program is funded by members of the New York City Council.

  2. The Regina A. Figueroa Memorial Scholarship: Established in 2011 by NYCHA in honor of a former resident, employee, and CUNY student, the Regina A. Figueroa Scholarship is now awarded annually to qualifying NYCHA-CUNY scholarship candidates who are also living with disability. Regina A. Figueroa worked for NYCHA’s Department of Communications for a decade; she was also a resident of Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx and a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she pursued a career in law. Having spent much of her life in a wheelchair, Ms. Figueroa became a powerful advocate for the rights of disabled citizens as well as a tremendous asset both to NYCHA and to her community. She passed away on August 10, 2010, at just 32 years of age after a valiant struggle with cancer. NYCHA established this scholarship to honor her memory and to support the academic and civic achievements of disabled NYCHA residents studying at CUNY colleges.

  3. The Kisha Jackson Memorial Scholarship: Established in 2021, the Kisha Jackson Scholarship recognizes the academic and civic achievements of CUNY students who reside in downtown Brooklyn NYCHA developments, the NYC communities to which Kisha Jackson dedicated her life and career. Ms. Jackson made a difference in the lives of countless residents, colleagues, and community members in her more than 20 years of service at NYCHA, where she held and excelled in several community-facing positions, including as a community center director and later on NYCHA’s REES team.

  4. The Levine Family Scholarship: Established in 2016 by Jeffrey Levine, the Chairman of Levine Builders, Douglaston Development, and Clinton Management, The Levine Family Scholarship program will make awards through 2026 to NYCHA residents enrolled at The City College of New York. Jeffrey Levine grew up in Linden Houses and has since dedicated his life to building a family and making a positive difference for his hometown. A graduate of the City College School of Architecture, Mr. Levine pledged $100,000 over 10 years to the Public Housing Community Fund to fund NYCHA resident scholarships.

  5. The Kofi Hormeku Scholarship: Starting in 2017, Nehemiah Economic Development, Inc. (NED), is providing $50,000 over 10 years to fund the Kofi Hormeku Scholarship, which annually awards $1,000 to five NYCHA residents from Brownsville, East New York, or Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, who attend a CUNY college. “It is an honor and an obligation to provide this scholarship,” NED Executive Director Mawuli K. Hormeku said. “We live in an area with a high concentration of NYCHA developments, so we created this scholarship for the benefit of the surrounding community. These are our neighbors, and we intend to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the same opportunities.”

NED also funds a merit scholarship for high school seniors from the community who attend four-year colleges. Visit www.nehemiahed.org/scholarships/ for more information.

The following scholarship opportunities are made possible through generous grants to the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF). The Public Housing Community Fund works to create and leverage resources and relationships to enhance opportunity and quality of life for NYCHA residents. As a nonprofit organization, the PHCF amplifies and supports NYCHA’s mission to provide quality housing for New Yorkers that is sustainable, inclusive, and safe, while fostering opportunities for economic mobility.

  1. The Amazon NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship: Established by a generous grant to the Public Housing Community Fund/Fund for Public Housing from Amazon, the Amazon NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship significantly expands the NYCHA-CUNY Scholars program over two years. This award funds NYCHA residents/CUNY scholars who are full-time undergraduates at a CUNY college.

  2. The Rise Light & Power Scholarship: The newest scholarship program, the Rise Light & Power Scholarship program was established by a $25,000 grant to the Public Housing Community Fund to support the continuing success of 25 deserving NYCHA-CUNY students.

“These scholarships recognize all the great work you do in school and your communities,” said NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble in her remarks to the attendees. “I’ve heard so many inspiring stories about this year’s winners – in addition to pursuing degrees, so many of you volunteer in your communities, work full-time, and juggle parenthood, all while pursuing higher education. You are amazing! Congratulations again on all your success – keep up the excellent work!”

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship program. Applications for the 2025 scholarships will open in spring 2025. For more information, please visit https://opportunitynycha.org/about-adult-education/college-scholarships/.