LaGuardia Community College Student Snigdha Laxme Harvests a Passion for Nature and Gears Up for Fall at Cornell University
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (April 30, 2025) — Snigdha Laxme, 19, was recently accepted to Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), with a financial aid package covering tuition, room, and board. Following her graduation from LaGuardia Community College/CUNY this June, with a 4.0 GPA, Snigdha anticipates starting at Cornell in fall 2025 towards a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences.
CALS, one of the seven undergraduate colleges at Cornell University, is the only college of agriculture and life sciences in the Ivy League and the second-largest college at Cornell.
Snigdha’s love of nature began during her childhood in a rural area of Bangladesh. “My friends and I would run around outside for hours in fields, gardens, and forests,” she recalls. “I’ve always loved being outdoors; it makes me feel calm and happy.”
After moving to NYC at age 10, Snigdha’s family often took walks in Pelham Bay Park near their home in The Bronx. In high school, she started a tradition of celebrating her birthday with picnics in Central Park and developed a fondness for houseplants. “They improve the air quality,” she adds.
As valedictorian at Bronx Health Sciences High School, Snigdha initially planned to study psychology at Queens College; however, a conversation with her father about her passion for nature led her to pursue a major that integrated her love for the outdoors. “To me, there’s nothing more interesting than observing the nature around me,” Snigdha says.
Snigdha found her path in LaGuardia’s Environmental Science – Sustainable Urban Agriculture program, the only such program at a CUNY college. From the start, Snigdha was pleased with her decision to attend LaGuardia.
“I truly appreciate the welcoming environment and atmosphere that LaGuardia offers. The sense of community here is one of the best aspects of this college,” Snigdha says.
Snigdha says LaGuardia is giving her the tools to cultivate a career in sustainable agriculture.
“Not only do we get hands on experiences in class, but the professors connect with professionals in the field so we can learn about their jobs,” she said. “For example, Professor Chelsea Encababian has taken my classmates and me to the Queens Botanical Garden and the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn to learn about soil science, composting, and more.”
“Being surrounded by supportive professors and faculty allows me to explore this field and enjoy my classes. This is the main reason I wanted to give back to the community,” she says. Snigdha works on campus as a Peer Advisor for the Natural Sciences Department, helping fellow students navigate college life. “I’m someone they can rely on, who make them feel heard, and helps them find resources at LaGuardia.”
Currently, Snigdha is working on a research project with Dr. Preethi Radhakrishnan, co-director of LaGuardia’s Environmental Science Program. They are studying the correlation between native pollinator visitation and plant physiology in urban rooftop versus land-based gardens. Snigdha will examine the role of essential soil nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight) and mycorrhizal associations (types and species of bacteria in root zones) in shaping plant traits and pollinator activity. Their research sites include Kingsland Wildflowers, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and LaGuardia’s urban farm and research lab, Finca La Florecita. The research is being supported by USDA’s NextGen program. Snigdha will receive a stipend for her work on the project as a NextGen Scholar.
Snigdha aspires to become an agricultural researcher. “I’m still exploring all the opportunities in this field,” she said. “I really enjoyed my soil science course at LaGuardia and hope to do future research on soil and plant productivity. Soil is the most vital resource we have.”
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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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