We are LaGuardia
LaGuardia has inspired thousands of students and alumni who thrive in New York City and world-wide. Students are finding success by taking advantage of a vast collection of support services and opportunities like LaGuardia CARES, Veterans Services, and Student Government Association, to name a few. Graduates enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution to graduate with their degree. Some of these graduates are making headlines and improving our world, in disciplines from the sciences to the arts, from sustainability to entrepreneurship, and every category in between. Together, our students and alumni share their stories to inspire and motivate.
Rebecca Ramos
Nursing Student; Expected to Graduate in 2026
“The affordable, on-campus childcare offered at LaGuardia’s Early Childhood Learning Center allows me to be a LaGuardia student – first in English language classes and now pursuing my nursing degree,” said Venezuela-native Rebecca, 36, mom to a three-year-old daughter. Rebecca was honored at the CUNY Celebrating Student Parent Success event on October 8, 2024.
Isaac Ramos
Fine Arts’24; Pursuing a Bachelor's in Arts Education at Queens College
“LaGuardia’s amazing professors—English instructors at the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at LaGuardia, and the Fine Arts professors who encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and apply to become the New York Mets and New Balance Athletics’ 2024 Queens Creator—have helped shape my academic career,” said Isaac, 23, from Puebla, Mexico, who plans to become an arts educator.
Tabia Tarannum
Biology Major; Expected to Graduate in Spring 2025
“The resources and supportive environment at LaGuardia helped me adjust and thrive as a first-generation, immigrant college student,” said Tabia, 19, who is from Sylhet, Bangladesh. “My faculty mentors and advisors showed me how to navigate the U.S. educational system and motivated me to pursue opportunities such as the NIH Bridges Research Program and the Kaplan Leadership Fellowship.”
Arthur Dukes
Studied Business Administration; Pursuing a Bachelor’s at Bryant & Stratton College
As a member of the 2023-24 Red Hawks Men’s Basketball Team, Arthur was the NJCAA Division III's top scorer with a 30.9 average. After becoming homeless, Coach Jarrett Lockhart connected him with LaGuardia CARES, which helped him find housing. Arthur went on to be named the 2024 NJCAA Region XV and CUNYAC Community College Player of the Year. He’s now a junior at Bryant & Stratton College – Buffalo, where he has a scholarship to play on its USCAA Division I basketball team.
Dylan Ramdath
Computer Science Major; Expected to Graduate in 2025
Dylan credits the Rise Light & Power Scholarship, awarded by the LaGuardia Community College Foundation, for helping him overcome challenges of being a first-generation college student. “I felt as though the light started to filter through the leaves, glimmering with hope for the future,” he said. Dylan aims to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence and software development. He aspires to work with a leading tech company in the future.
Jonathan Machado
Biology Major; Expected to Graduate in 2025
Jonathan was selected for a 2024 summer internship at Columbia University's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. “I was exposed to innovative cancer research and prevention methods. It was empowering to observe science in action and made me want to become a doctor and scientist," he said. Jonathan is grateful to LaGuardia Foundation Board Member Marilyn Skony Stamm and Provost Billie Gastic Rosado for bringing this meaningful opportunity to LaGuardia.
Amena Shamia
Biology’24; Pursuing a Bachelor’s at Cornell University
Amena, a first-generation student from Bangladesh, discovered her academic passions and resilience at LaGuardia. “The resources, connections and family that I found were priceless,” said Amena, who joined the CUNY Research Scholar Program, CUNY LifeSci NYC Internship Program and NIH Bridges as a LaGuardia student. As a 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholar, Amena received a full scholarship to study at Cornell University. She was recently selected as a McNair Scholar at Cornell, an award that provides research opportunities and funding for students who aspire to earn a Ph.D.
MD Siddique
Computer Science’24, Pursuing a Bachelor’s at Columbia University
MD, a first-generation student from Bangladesh, enrolled at LaGuardia in 2022 alongside two of his sisters. He appreciated finding opportunities for career preparation and support at LaGuardia. MD joined the Student Government, President’s Society, Queens STEM Academy (Q-STEM), interned with LaGuardia’s Information Technology team, and worked on an NIH Bridge Scholar Program with Dr. Alaa Darabseh, who became a mentor. Now he’s a student at Columbia University, where he’s pursuing a bachelor’s in Data Science with a minor in Computer Science.
Nadia Begum
Psychology’24, Pursuing a Bachelor’s at New York University
Nadia, a first-generation student from Bangladesh, aspires to become a therapist or social worker. She values the support from LaGuardia’s ASAP Program, which provided her with an advisor, free MetroCards, and textbook assistance. Through a virtual exchange with The American University of Cairo, Nadia explored global issues. She gained work experience via LaGuardia’s Summer Youth Employment Program. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in applied psychology at NYU.
Sho Tasaki, Owner of Senbird Tea
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB), January 2023 Cohort
Sho, the son of Japanese immigrants, joined the 10KSB program at LaGuardia in January 2023, seeking guidance on navigating the complex challenges of running a mission-driven business. Since completing the program in May 2023, Senbird Tea has doubled in revenue, according to Sho, who says, “my experience with 10KSB at LaGuardia was transformative. It equipped me with the tools and confidence I needed to think strategically and act decisively as a leader.”