JUNE 2022
Applying your leadership skills to real-world situations is what hard work is all about. Even though school's out and summer is officially here, our members continue to put in the work, making headlines that we are proud to highlight.
Our mission at the NSLS is to Build Leaders Who Make a Better World. Our members participate in social events, volunteer for charities, and take part in a wide range of community service initiatives. Upon graduation, they apply the interpersonal skills they've acquired to start businesses, pursue promotions, and more.
FIRST-GENERATION NURSING GRADUATE PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Miranda Ampadu, Binghamton University – State University of New York, moved to the US from Ghana at 18 and brought her passion for helping others with her. After arriving in the US, she earned her GED and graduated with an associate degree from Westchester Community College before transferring to Binghamton University's Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
At 14, Miranda knew she wanted to be a nurse when her grandmother became ill and she had to take care of her. At such a young age, she was responsible for feeding her grandmother and administering her medications, as well as being her support system.
She again faced an immense obstacle during her studies when her father passed away. She persevered and worked hard up to graduation with the support from friends, family, and professors.
She plans on taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse with the hope of specializing in medical-surgical nursing, eventually working in geriatrics or pediatrics. Like any great leader, she also values continued learning and plans on earning a master's degree to become a nurse practitioner.
Read the Full Story from Binghamton University - State University of New York >>
STUDENT SPEAKER AT COMMENCEMENT GIVES HOPE TO OTHERS
Violeta Gomez-Uribe, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, spoke at her university's commencement but it wasn't the first time she's given an impassioned speech. At the New York Coming Out of the Shadows rally in March 2011, she told the crowd, “My name is Violeta and I am undocumented, unafraid, and unapologetic, but mostly I am a dreamer.”
Born in Mexico, she settled with her family in Brooklyn, New York at age 15 and leaned into education as a means for success. A DACA recipient, she’s socially-conscious and uses her voice as a rallying cry for marginalized groups in society. With this passion, she volunteered with Sanctuary Homes and Get Organized Brooklyn, and has been deeply involved in politics.
She recently served as Deputy Director of Outreach in the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs where she helped with pandemic relief efforts, supporting immigrant COVID vaccine outreach that ensured over 200,000 New Yorkers got vaccinated. She also helped organize vaccination town halls in 13 languages to streamline the flow of information in her community.
The graduate in urban studies now serves as a board member at Hand in Hand Domestic Employers Network, a national network that works toward a more equitable and dignified working environment for domestic employees.
Read the Full Story from CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies >>
GIFTED GAMER AND GO-GETTER RECOGNIZED FOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Willette Menefee, New York Institute of Technology, is a President's List student and a scholarship recipient with a bright future.
Studying graphic design and marketing, Willette was selected as one of 12 recipients of a Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA) Success Scholarship. This initiative helps to provide education, equal access, and career opportunities to women of color college students. To earn this recognition, New York Tech's Cybears esports team, won its first championship this year with Willette as team captain.
Her goal is to work in marketing or advertising for an esports organization or video game company, and has already secured internships with Maria Frey and Executive Consultants of New York, Inc.
She finished her college career with a capstone research project called the Broadridge Challenge. She and her teammates conducted research and developed a strategy to present to the Broadridge senior management team in which they persuaded execs about the benefits of going from print to digital.
Read the Full Story from New York Tech >>
ACCOMPLISHED GRADUATE AND ARMY RESERVIST READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT
Tristan Jeremiah George, Morehouse College, is ready to bring his energy, passion, and skill set to the classroom as an educator.
He’ll begin teaching at Brownsville Collegiate Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. He will directly impact inner city students by supporting their cultural, emotional, and academic needs. His goal as an educator is to inspire young men of color to pursue career pathways in education and to see his own students successfully graduate from college.
As a college student himself, he achieved a long list of accolades and honors, including being named a Dr. Martin L. King Legacy Scholar, NextGen Men ATL - Cohort Leader, and a Coretta Scott King Covenant Fellow with the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast.
To afford college, Tristan joined the United States Army Reserve. He took a gap year after high school to complete military training and successfully graduated from Basic Combat Training School and Advanced Individual Training School. The English major is excited to start making an impact on the next generation of students.
Read the Full Story at Inside, the Official Blog of Morehouse College >>
STUDENT STANDOUT EARNS TOP AWARD AT UNIVERSITY
Mya Curry, Valdosta State University, received the 2022 American Association of University Women (AAUW) Award. The award is given to graduating female students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who’ve demonstrated academic excellence and leadership on campus.
As a student, Mya was very much involved, serving in several leadership roles and participating in many organizations, including Future Black Educators and Educators Rising Collegiate. She worked as an orientation leader for the Office of Orientation and as a peer mentor and success coach at the Office of First-Year Programs.
In the classroom, she was a regular on the Dean's List and received the Dr. Barbara K. Stanley Distinguished Student in Middle Grades Education Award and was nominated for the VSU Burning Bright Award, given to students who maintain academic success while making a positive impact on the VSU community.
She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in middle grades education. She plans on continuing her education to earn a master's in higher education leadership while teaching science or social studies at the middle-school level.
Read the Full Story from Valdosta State University >>
Other NSLS Members Receiving Recognition IN JUNE:
Victor Akinyemi, Western Illinois University, received a Gwendolyn Brooks Leadership Award for his academic success as a pre-med student and involvement on campus and in the community. Full Story >>
Dr. Ben Cornett, Northcentral University, has been named head of strategic partnerships at Megentrix, a leader in partner management software.
Full Story >>
Janelle Price, Indian River State College, earned the Leadership Award at the Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) Awards celebration for demonstrating leadership on campus. Full Story >>
Cynthia D. Sinogui, National Online Chapter, has been recognized for her impactful dedication to the field of nursing. Full Story >>
Elizabeth Eskildsen, Eastern Florida State College, received the Oceanside Charter Chapter $2,000 Impact Scholarship, established to provide grants and scholarships to women pursuing their education. Full Story >>
Grant McCager "Cage" Mitchell, Coastal Carolina University, a rising senior studying applied physics with a concentration in environmental physics, was selected as a 2022 NASA Pathways Intern. Full Story >>
Alexis Cannistraci, Penn State Altoona, was named a 2021-22 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for being a standout in the classroom, and on the women's basketball and volleyball teams. Full Story >>
Amy Brudermann, SUNY Sullivan, a mother of two, was highlighted by her school for overcoming obstacles and graduating with honors. Full Story >>
Anjanie R. Fairbairn, Texas State University, an entrepreneur, first-generation student, and mother of three graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied arts and sciences. Full Story >>
Becky Boudreau, Capella University, was featured on Close Up Radio to discuss her career in education, starting her own learning center, and living with multiple sclerosis. Full Story >>
Abigail Hostman, Northern Illinois University, has won a Forward, Together Forward scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate leadership, determination, and a commitment to service. Full Story >>
Jimarr Williams, Methodist University, was named Fayetteville Observer's 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 for his work as Director of Academic and Career Advising. Full Story >>
Ayana N. Williams-Smith, Immaculata University, received the American Association of University Women (AAUW) West Chester-Chester County Branch’s 2022 Alice Lawson Scholarship. Full Story >>
Jessica Koch, Lebanon Valley College, received the 2022 Richard H. and Karen R. Light Memorial Scholarship, awarded each spring to an outstanding local student with plans to pursue a career in environmental science.
Full Story >>
Alandrya Fuller, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Undergraduate Student Worker of the Year and Outstanding Senior, was recognized as a Great Graduate for excelling academically while battling adversity outside of the classroom. Full Story >>
Odessa Sadsad, Walden University, has been promoted to vice president of health services of Springpoint Senior Living, based in Wall Township, New Jersey. Full Story >>
Samuel Buddelmeyer, Hocking College, received the 2022 Larry A. Hart Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students majoring in law enforcement or natural resources studies. Full Story >>
Evie Miller, Trine University, received the Cheryl L. Coons Award as the Trine Thunder’s top female student-athlete as a distance running standout in cross country and track & field. Full Story >>
