Class Acts | Meet the 2017 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars

Each year, the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship program offers $1,000 scholarships to NYCHA residents enrolled full-time at the City University of New York (CUNY) to help support their studies.

Each year, the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship program, funded by the New York City Council, offers $1,000 scholarships to NYCHA residents enrolled full-time at the City University of New York (CUNY) to help support their studies. The program includes the Regina A. Figueroa Memorial Scholarship for residents with disabilities and the Levine Family Scholarship, funded by NYCHA/City College alumnus Jeffrey Levine. New this year is the Kofi Hormeku Scholarship provided by Nehemiah Economic Development, Inc., for NYCHA residents from Brownsville, East New York, or Ocean Hill, Brooklyn who are attending CUNY colleges. Five scholars received this award.

Kofi Hormeku Scholarship

“I am inspired by alumni from my school. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with former accounting students who share the same interests and career goals. They explained the steps it takes to become successful and they give me hope that I can have a bright future and become part of a competitive industry.”

“I’ve had a handful of instructors that were a huge inspiration for me. They did not hesitate to throw a line when I needed advice. They understood me when it seemed like no one else did. They were down to earth and they encouraged me to always shoot for a better version of me.”

“My best memory of living at NYCHA has to be the day we moved in with all of our stuff still in boxes, but I had a space to my own for the first time. I specifically remember all the closet space surprising me. I was eight or nine years old and it was amazing to me.”

“In 2027, I want to be a principal at an elementary school. I am studying early childhood education and youth studies, and I want to help young children.”

“When I first moved into NYCHA, I didn’t know the community or my neighbors. One day when my son was upset getting off the school bus that had arrived early and I wasn’t there yet, the neighbors all came together. One kid ran to my door to get me while the rest forced the bus to wait and comforted my son. Ever since then, I’ve made an effort to be part of the community.”

Levine Family Scholarship

“I want to work for an immigration law firm helping undocumented immigrants get visas and citizenship. And I want to build a community center focused on government and law because, if you want to make a difference in the justice system, you have to get involved, too.”

“When I came to New York City for the first time in 2013, NYCHA was the first place I came to directly from the airport. This is the place I started a new chapter of my life, and I will always remember it no matter where I go.”

“NYCHA is my safety net. I grew up at Fulton Houses with a single mom, but all the ladies took care of me. I don’t have just one great memory—the overall sense of camaraderie from all of us living at NYCHA is what I think of most.”

“Ten years from now I see myself as a high-school English teacher in the City. I also want to create different community programs and events to get people to come together and be there for each other.”

“My best friend’s older brother is my inspiration—he works as a senior engineer at Johnson & Johnson; I’m following in his footsteps.”

“One of my favorite memories of living at NYCHA is of my little brother joining Green City Force. He used to say, ‘I’m not going to college.’ He joined GCF and I saw him working and now he applied to college. That program saved him.”

“Three months after we moved into NYCHA, my dad had to go to the hospital because of his lungs and couldn’t work for several months. I was thankful for NYCHA because we were still able to afford our rent.”

“I’m inspired by the thousands of undocumented children that come to this country to get a better education to make better lives for themselves and their family. I’ve met many undocumented students at CUNY that face obstacles every day, yet they manage to overcome many of them. There is nothing more inspirational, and the ambition and dedication these students have is truly motivational.”

Mahutin Paul
Castle Hill Houses
City College of New York, Mechanical Engineering

“I’m honored to say that the person who inspires me is my grandmother, Luisa. With all of her love, life lessons, and respect, she has helped me become who I am. She taught me to respect others and my surroundings, to be thankful for all my blessings, and to always be humble.”

NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship

Geneva Hildago
Taft Houses
City College of New York,
Psychology

“My inspiration is Dr. Robert Hanning, Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, who taught a college prep course to ready me for college and assisted me in achieving my TASC diploma. He believes in me more than I do in myself at times!”

“Besides my parents, my cousin Dayla inspires me because of her dedication and determination to complete her career and become a successful independent woman. She is studying medicine and is the first one in the family to pursue a medical career.”

“Singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez inspires me. She was defrauded by a friend/co-worker and murdered. I want to contribute to combating fraud because it could lead to very serious crimes. Selena’s music gives me motivation to achieve my goals. She lives on through her music.”

“In 2027, I will be a data analyst in a top business firm. Not only do I see myself pursuing the career of my dreams, but I also see myself starting my own tutoring company as well.”

Regina A. Figueroa Scholarship

“In 2027, I want to be a CPA who owns my own firm. I have volunteered at the 116th Street Food Bank, assisting with people’s taxes and I want that to be my career.”