Graduation
Our salute to the
Class of 2021 ������������������������������������������������������
Dear Members of the
graduating Class of 2021,
Congratulations on reaching this
incredible moment in your lives
and for working so hard to get here.
In some ways, we envy you. You have
reached this monumental milestone at an
incredible time in our city and country as
we reopen and recover. Out of a very dark
period in our history, the light is fi nally
beginning to shine for everyone — and
especially on you, as all kinds of new opportunities
await.
Things are fi nally getting back to what
we thought of as normal. Many of you did
get a chance to stride onto a stage in a cap
and gown to get your diploma or degree,
shake the principal’s hand and wave to
family and friends in the crowd.
All around, social life is returning. The
advances of science and medicine have allowed
us to once again enjoy each other’s
company, to appreciate special occasions
and moments in our lives together.
Now the future is yours, and what a
bright light that is ahead on the road of life.
You have so many other special occasions
and moments ahead, so many other objectives
to achieve. How will you get there?
Those of you who just received your college
degree can make an immediate impact
to help improve our city, state and country
as you venture out into the “real world”
your parents have always talked about.
All kinds of job opportunities are at
your disposal. Take advantage of them.
Find something you want to do in a fi eld
for which you are passionate.
PHOTO VIA GETTY IAMGES
For those of you heading to college next
year, get ready for a unique time in your
life. Enjoy each day! Make friends and new
connections. Take advantage of every real
world opportunity to fi nd the career you
want to pursue.
Nothing is better in life than doing what
you love. If it’s something you’re emotionally
and intellectually invested in, pursue it.
As for middle school students heading
into high school, the next four years will
be fi lled with new friends, harder courses
and test after test after test. Welcome to the
next level of your academic career; take one
day at a time.
Study hard and work hard. The path to
success is very simple: Work hard. Throw
yourself into school activities.
High school is full of all sorts of afterschool
activities beyond sports. Take part
in them. Begin fi nding your passion, join a
club (or two), make new friends and learn
more about the world around you.
Remember always the people who have
loved you and who have cared about you
to bring you to this point in your life. A
thank you to the wonderful families who
have helped their children succeed. We’re
sure you’re bursting with pride.
Be hopeful for their future. They will
make you proud!
We congratulate you, graduates, on your
outstanding achievements. Great challenges
lie ahead. Pursue them, be challenged by
them and live the life you dreamed.
Go, and do great things!
Sincerely, Victoria Schneps
Joshua Schneps
Co-Publishers, Schneps Media
HIGHER ED TODAY
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It’s no secret that the City University
of New York’s seven community colleges
play an invaluable role in making
the American Dream a reality for many
New Yorkers, including immigrants
who are the first in their family to go
to college. Our students never cease to
impress.
Just recently, three CUNY community
college students received prestigious
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships,
given annually to top community college
students in the U.S., which provide
up to $40,000 per year so students can
complete their bachelor’s degree.
What’s more, 13 CUNY community
college students recently accounted for
the entire cohort of this year’s Kaplan
Leadership Program, which helps highperforming,
low-income students from
the New York metropolitan area complete
their associate degree, transfer
to a four-year degree program, and provide
them with much-needed financial
support.
These are just a few examples of
what our community college students
can accomplish. As the former President
of Hostos Community College, I
know from personal experience the vital
role such colleges play in the lives of
students.
Thankfully, so does the Biden Administration.
Our First Lady, Dr. Jill
Biden, is a lifelong educator, who has
spent nearly three decades teaching at
community colleges. President Biden
himself is the recipient of a public college
education, while Vice President
Kamala Harris is a proud alumna of an
historically Black university. This administration
understands the value of a
college education.
That’s why President Biden’s American
Families Plan is so important. Under
the president’s plan, community
colleges would be free for anyone who
wants to attend — including Dreamers
— giving students a financial lifeline to
make their educational goals possible.
His plan would also expand the maximum
Pell Grant award and aid many
more students enrolled in Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal
Colleges and Universities and Minority
Serving Institutions — including many
in the CUNY system, signaling his commitment
to making higher education
more accessible for Americans of every
background, regardless of their family’s
financial circumstances or immigration
status.
That’s good news for CUNY, particularly
for students like Lina Cruz, who
I met when I was president of Hostos.
Years ago, Lina left Colombia to attend
Hostos in the Bronx to study English.
Although she never intended to stay in
New York, she quickly found a home at
CUNY. “After enrolling in classes I realized
my future was here,” she says.
“CUNY became mi familia.” She recently
recorded a video sharing her
story.
Lina went on to graduate from Hostos
with her associate’s before earning
a bachelor’s at Baruch, where she is now
finishing her Master’s Degree. She’s
earned three CUNY degrees — yes,
three — in 12 years.
While at Hostos she interned with
the New York Yankees in a program I
helped create. Lina turned that internship
into a career. She now works as a
team manager, leading their multicultural
and Spanish-language outreach
efforts, and supporting a variety of initiatives,
such as a new mentoring program
between the Yankees and CUNY
students.
For Lina, attending a CUNY community
college was a game changer. And
she’s not alone: Tens of thousands of our
students begin their educational journey
at a community college, later continuing
on to one of CUNY’s 11 four-year
college. At community colleges, CUNY
has pioneered initiatives like ASAP, a
nationally recognized student success
program that has more than doubled
timely associate degree graduation
rates for participating students.
President Biden’s American Families
Plan would be a boost to our community
colleges, ensuring that CUNY
can help more students like Lina, preparing
them with the necessary skills
to thrive in a dynamic, post-pandemic
economy. It would also help make higher
education accessible to all Americans,
no matter their financial situation, immigration
status or zip code.
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12 June 24, 2021 Schneps Media