Ponce Bank Awards Scholarships to Five LaGuardia Community College Students
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (December 18, 2025) — Ponce Bank has awarded $5,000 in scholarships to five LaGuardia Community College/CUNY students for the 2025–26 academic year. Managed by the LaGuardia Community College Foundation, the Ponce-CUNY Scholarship supports students from low- to moderate-income communities who reflect the diversity of New York City—helping them continue their education and plan their futures.
In 2022, Ponce Bank, a community banking institution with branches located throughout New York City, launched a scholarship program to invest in the city’s diverse communities and help CUNY students lay the groundwork for successful careers. LaGuardia is one of 12 CUNY senior and community colleges selected for the Ponce-CUNY Scholarship program. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000, helping students pay for tuition, textbooks, and other living essentials.
“The Ponce-CUNY Scholarship program provides critical assistance for our students—helping them alleviate financial difficulties so they can continue their education and pursue careers in high-demand fields,” said Jay Golan, Executive Director of the LaGuardia Community College Foundation.
Among this year’s Ponce-CUNY recipients is Luca Torres Pena, a Veterinary Technology major born in the Dominican Republic.
Torres Pena describes themself as a “disabled person with a chronic illness and limited income.” Despite these challenges, Torres Pena has persevered and is a top student in LaGuardia’s intensive Vet Tech program, where Torres Pena is currently in the final semester of the program’s clinical phase.
“Receiving help to cover the cost of textbooks, supplies, lab attire, and my long commute from East Rockaway has been integral to my success,” said Torres Pena. “The support from Ponce Bank helps relieve mental and physical stressors, so that I can focus on school and prevent overworking myself to cover these expenses. As I finish my last semester, I can attend my classes and internships, access both on-campus and off-campus resources, and plan for my future. I know that I can achieve even greater things as I approach graduation and enter the veterinary field.”
Torres Pena is determined to become a successful Veterinary Technician—with a specialization in feline medicine—and demonstrate that people with disabilities can make an impact in the veterinary field.
LaGuardia’s American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited Veterinary Technology program—the only one in New York City’s five boroughs—offers hands-on training in animal care, anesthesia, surgery, diagnostics, and client counseling. Graduates qualify for the national licensure exam and pursue careers in veterinary practices, research institutions, shelters, regulatory agencies, and zoos.
Additional 2025-26 Ponce-CUNY Scholars include:
Shishir Baral is an international student from Nepal majoring in Cybersecurity.
“My parents encouraged my brother and me to move to New York to pursue higher education,” said Baral. “Adjusting to a new environment and balancing academic responsibilities has not been easy. But I am determined to persevere.”
Baral is passionate about cybersecurity and hopes to make an impact in the field, using his knowledge to protect networks and data.
Katriel Morales is a native New Yorker majoring in Cybersecurity. Morales says he is “proud to be the first person in my family who will earn a professional degree.”
Through hard work, Morales has overcome obstacles and gained strong skills in communication, discipline, and determination. He values opportunities he’s found at LaGuardia to make connections with faculty, staff, and peers, and to learn valuable professional skills.
“I was involved in an internship program called CUNY Spring Forward. This experience was very beneficial, as I learned what it was like to be an employee,” Morales said. “My tasks included using Microsoft Excel to perform data analysis, creating pivot tables, and building charts to track inventory and production metrics.”
After graduating from LaGuardia this spring, Morales plans to transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Security.
“My goal is to become a cloud engineer and ensure the companies I work for have systems secure and efficient,” said Morales. “I believe that all students, no matter their background, can reach their goals if allowed to showcase their passion and talents. I hope to succeed in providing for my family, now and in the future, and be a strong example for them.”
Sofia P.* is an Industrial Design major from Puebla, Mexico. The first in her family to attend college, she has overcome many challenges, from not speaking English fluently to proving wrong those who doubted her ability to thrive in a new country. The support of the Ponce-CUNY Scholarship is helping P. get one step closer to achieving her dream of developing her own designs, and inspiring other immigrant students.
Shirley Vega Proano, 45, is an international student from Guayaquil, Ecuador majoring in Psychology.
“I am a first-generation college student, and going to college means everything to my family and me,” said Vega Proano, who moved to the United States in 2018 looking for a better future. “My journey has not been easy. I have had to adjust to a new country, balance school and life, and live far away from my family. Missing important moments with them has been very hard. But with determination and the support I found at LaGuardia, I learned to move forward even during hard times.”
“I come from a big family and am the fifth of eight children. Growing up this way taught me to be strong, patient, and caring toward others,” said Vega Proano. “I want to help others, especially people from underserved communities. I plan to continue my education and earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Because of LaGuardia and the generosity of Ponce Bank, I feel prepared, confident, and hopeful about my future.”
About the LaGuardia Community College Foundation
The LaGuardia Community College Foundation is dedicated to supporting LaGuardia Community College students through scholarships, emergency funds, stipends for participating in enrichment programs, and jobs on campus as student mentors and tutors.
The Foundation awards approximately $500,000 annually in Named Scholarships, such as the Ponce Bank Scholarship, to students in LaGuardia’s 50+ associate degree programs, following a review of eligibility, application, and interview.
To support the Foundation or make a gift, visit the LaGuardia Community College Foundation. Students interested in applying for scholarships should visit Scholarships – LaGuardia Community College or email foundationscholarship@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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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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*Last name withheld upon request.