Westchester Community College is unique. I can think of no other educational institution with professors who care so much about their students. My teachers have given me the guidance necessary to improve my skills and to help me become a self directed and successful student. They have instilled a confidence in me that will take me far in life’s journey. Financially, this has been a difficult time for both me and my family. I am grateful for the support from Mrs. Katherine W. Davis and her Global Community Scholarship Program. It is enabling me to continue my studies.

Moving to the land of opportunity in 2007 has proven to be quite the experience. Of course, coming from Jamaica, the most significant changes were the climate and the lifestyle. Change, however, is good. As a student, I’ve forged new friendships, have succeeded in my classes (3.94 GPA) and have become active with Club Jamaica. I look forward to completing my studies, continuing on to a four-year institution to obtain my bachelor’s, and ultimately moving on to a career in the accounting field. I am confident that my education at Westchester Community College through the assistance of the Kathryn W. Davis Global Community Scholarship Program funds will help me achieve all my dreams and aspirations.

Understanding how crucial education is to becoming a success in the modern world, I chose to take advantage of the reputation of Westchester Community College and the institution’s outstanding faculty. I am well aware of the advantages of higher education, which is greatly valued by me, my family, and by society. I intend to become an Early Childhood educator. It’s important that I obtain as much knowledge as I can through the use of my professors’ well-developed strategies. After all, I want to be able to pass along this important information to my future students.

I had been away from school for ten years when I returned to Westchester Community College. I have once again ignited my passion for education with the help of the amazing teachers and staff members. They have served as guides leading me toward a path I had once abandoned. WCC has become an important part of my life. I am now in the Honors Program, have joined the Philosophia Club, and hope to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I would like to create a peer mentoring program for fellow students. With the gift of education (thanks to this scholarship program), I believe I can make a difference in the lives of many individuals.

There are many challenges facing international students. Life in a new country can be difficult as we try to adjust to a new culture and a new language. These obstacles must be overcome. I know I can handle these adjustments but I also know that I cannot face them alone. I feel that I can handle anything with the assistance of my family and the educators at Westchester Community College. This scholarship will also help me face the future. I know that with everyone’s support, I will become successful in the future.

Born in Guatemala, I immigrated to the United States with my mother seven years ago. We both faced life in this new country with limited English speaking and writing skills. Hard work and the willingness to learn garnered me a nomination for the National Junior Honor Society. Today, enrolled as a full-time student at Westchester Community College, I am proud to state that I am a member of the Honors Program. Not a day goes by when I don’t thank those who encouraged me to enroll at this school and continue my education. I am involved in student life on campus, also working part-time and volunteering at my church. My hope is to continue my education (thanks to the generosity of this scholarship) and eventually move on to a four-year university to obtain a degree in the field of Special Education on the elementary school level.

My first job after graduating from high school was a romantic one. I was a projectionist at a small independent film theater. As I slowly dimmed the lights, I would sense myself becoming part of the crowd’s anticipation; part of the drama of the moment. Once the movie began, it was exhilarating to see excited people below. Through the magic of film, the screen showcased the hopes, dreams and fears of not only the actors, but also those in the theater… including the projectionist.

For seven years, I continued as a vessel for the dreams of others. Then, I decided to take over the “director’s chair” in my own life and enroll at Westchester Community College. I am currently studying English and Physics with the eventual goal of teaching both at the high school level.

As a recipient of a Katherine W. Davis Global Community Scholarship, I am now in a better position to pursue my academic goals and focus on my studies and my pursuit of what I consider to be the most admirable of professions. This will give me the opportunity to expose future students to new ideas and ways of perceiving the world around them; giving them the chance to be the directors of their own lives. As a teacher, I will help my students project own their own hopes and dreams into the future.

People face many difficulties in life that, in the long run, lead them to success. I will never forget my past as it has helped me to become the person I am today.

My family and I were very happy and had all that we needed in Peru until circumstances changed, as did our once happy lives. In order to make a better life for our family, my father came to America and was followed by my mother several years later. It was another four years before my siblings and I were reunited here with our parents.

My mother and father have always taught us to work hard and made sure education was an important part of our lives. We learned that lesson well. Two of my siblings attend Westchester Community College with me. Each day, I give my best in order to succeed. With the guidance of my family, the College faculty, as well as assistance from this scholarship, I will keep taking steps forward toward my dream. My goal is to earn an International Merchandising and Marketing degree and to eventually develop trading relationships with other countries.

Receiving the Kathryn W. Davis Global Community Scholarship has left me with an indescribable sense of pride. I look forward to fulfilling my obligations in a productive manner. My hope is that through a dedicated effort, and empathy, I will be able to make a valuable contribution to the community.

Once I graduate, I would like to attend a four year university and attain both undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology. My dream is to be a professor of psychology and to provide students with an exceptional learning environment in which the realization of dreams is possible.

I am honored and proud to be associated with Westchester Community College and this scholarship program.

Everyone’s life is a journey and everyone has a story to tell. My journey, thus far, has not been extraordinary. However, my personal experience has been a rich line of successes with only a small handful of disappointments. Success is not holding the pot of gold, but searching for the truth, for without truth there is no pleasure in indulging in such wealth.

I originally studied dance at the top modern dance school in Europe. Later, I continued my dance studies in New York. It was during that period that many life-changing events took place; one of which was my choice to start out on my own, along with my children, and to return to academia in 2006. Through the generosity of this scholarship program, I will be able to continue on my life’s journey and add to my successes.

Throughout my life, I have essentially remained the same person but have tried to become an evolved individual. A wiser, more compassionate, and humbler woman now looks back at me from the mirror. My core beliefs remain from childhood, but I have grown to be more accepting of others. I believe that only once you have aged and experienced all aspects of life can you begin your understanding of how you can succeed in this world.

As a child, my father had a goal for me; a goal that would push me to success but also haunted me when I stalled. His goal was that I become a success. He instilled in me a thirst, a passion for learning, for being the best, and for always being right! I harnessed that drive and rode it through high school, collecting honors and praise. It’s my desire to continue the ride as I complete my education at Westchester Community College and obtain my degree in the Foods and Nutrition Program; ultimately transferring to a four-year institution.

Life is a journey. I believe that while taking that journey, one should be active and optimistic, seeking to constantly take on new challenges. That is why, after many years, I have chosen to return to school as a full-time student.

My selection of Westchester Community College was an important decision. Thanks to what I am learning in my classes, and the support from this scholarship, I am sure I will achieve my goals. I have always believed that, in life, we should do what we love. Soon, I will realize my dream of earning a computer networking degree. Ultimately, I hope to become a network specialist.

Going back to my time in Nigeria, I have always had a great passion for education. All my life, I have known that this is the true path to a successful career. When I came to America, I knew that I would be able to take advantage of an opportunity I had craved a quality education at a U.S. college.

I am a full-time student and also hold down a full-time job to support my family (I have two sisters enrolled in college as well). I am thankful for the assistance of Mrs. Davis and I look forward to continuing my education here. I am confident that my enthusiasm for learning will help me to succeed in achieving a degree and ultimately a career in Business Administration or Healthcare Management.

The openness of the faculty and the multiplicity of perspectives of the students are what make Westchester Community College an outstanding institution. Although I have just begun my undergraduate career, my plans are to complete a double major, and then transfer to a four-year university to complete my bachelor’s in Architecture. I am grateful to be able to attend Westchester Community College with the assistance of the Katherine W. Davis Global Community Scholarship. The institution offers great opportunities and academic programs for all, including immigrants and non-traditional students.

I strive for excellence not just in academia but with everything I do and place the highest values on my personal excellence and integrity. My hope is that these qualities will distinguish me as a true leader who will have a significant impact on the world.

Growing up in Ghana, I dreamed of becoming a pharmacist, although the odds were against me. I have always wanted to have a positive impact on the well being of my community through my chosen profession. Also, I knew that obtaining a high level of education would equip me with the necessary skills to meet the future challenges of the 21st century.

Now I can say that I am both proud and grateful to be recognized as both a student who shows a commitment to his studies and exhibits leadership skills. This has reinforced my commitment to the community and my motivation to achieve higher academic goals in the future.

As I prepare for my third semester in the Respiratory Care Program, I plan to continue my studies after graduation from Westchester Community College. Each day I spend at the college is a constant reminder of how desire and hard work can lead to success. The college’s superior facilities and the willingness of the professors to help students succeed have combined to make my time here a wonderful experience.

Westchester Community College may be just one of the many community colleges in the nation; however it is everything to me. It is my life. As an international student, I am currently separated from my entire family with the exception of my brother who is also studying here at the college. The love and support of my family has given me the drive and confidence to become the very best person I can be. The assistance of this program affords me the opportunity to stay in school and to secure a better future for myself. Hopefully, after I graduate and start a career, I will be able to assist others in the same way that I have been assisted.

For now, I enjoy being a part of the student life at the college and have become involved with the Asian Friendship Club and I have tutored other students in mathematics. I plan on joining Phi Theta Kappa. Once very unhappy and selfish, being involved with these activities has turned me into a joyful person who enjoys helping others and truly making a difference.

Life is a ladder of success and the more effort you put into reach the highest steps, the more you will get from life. My journey to America was just one of the steps on the ladder. Coming to Westchester Community College at age seventeen was daunting. However, I had a need to pursue an education in the United States. Since I have been at the college, I have become very active in and out of class. I am proud to say that I am part of the Honors Program and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition my college activities, I also participate in programs sponsored by the Arabic church in my community and continue to hold a part time job.

To say my life is hectic is an understatement, but I never lose my focus on the next step of the ladder to graduate from Westchester Community College and continue on to earn a master’s in Business Administration.

Although I am close to completing my education at Westchester Community College, I am aware that this is just the beginning of my educational journey. Anything is possible; one just needs to put in the effort and be dedicated to succeed.

After coming to the States with my mother and siblings (my father had come to America ten years earlier in order to secure a better way of life for his family), I had to overcome the difficulties that I faced; learning a new language and acclimating to a new society. With the help of my family, the people I have met, and my own determination, I was able to overcome these barriers. This drive and determination also helped me to succeed at Westchester Community College.

I continue to strive to improve every day in order to meet my own expectations and those of my professors. After completing my studies here, it is my hope to continue to a four-year institution where I will earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in Business or Accounting.

Patricia Siguenza
With her three children grown, Patricia Siguenza was ready for a change. Intrigued by the college’s new Small Business Entrepreneurship certificate, she became the first student to graduate from this new program. “I’m a numbers person and a people person,” says Siguenza, who had been providing freelance accounting services to several Westchester clients since emigrating from Ecuador fifteen years ago. “I’d like to continue to work in accounting but I want more interaction with people. I may go on to a four-year school or I may start a new business providing investment advice to individuals and small business owners,” she says. Whatever she decides, she’s ready for the future.  

Rose Ragone, Beth Krapin
“My daughter likes everything about the school,” says Rose Ragone. “From the caring instructors to the diverse student body to the opportunities to socialize with her new friends, we both agree that it was a good choice,” she adds. You may see Beth assisting with Open House events or sharing her experiences while guiding college tours as an Admissions Ambassador. Having earned a partial scholarship (free books!), Beth plans to devote her savings to tuition at a four-year school. She’s moving closer to her dream career in the field of education.  

Andrew Smith came a long way to achieve success in the United States. Born in Siberia, he came to America when he was eight years old. He had been adopted from an orphanage. He graduated from Pelham Memorial High School, enlisted in the Air Force, and then started here at the college. He is the President of Alpha Beta Gamma, the college's business honors society, and represents the students on the college's Board of Trustees. Andrew hopes to transfer to a leading Business school - either Wharton, NYU’s Stern School of Business, or Cornell. He is pictured here at the college's Commencement ceremony during which he was honored for his 4.0 average.

Andrew Smith did not speak English when he came to this country from Eastern Europe. He learned the language, continued his studies, and went on to college. With support from the Westchester Community College faculty, he rose to the top of his ranks and delivered the valedictory address at commencement on May 17, 2007. The Business Administration student served as the student representative to the college's Board of Trustees and won a number of academic honors during his time at the college, including the curriculum award in his academic program. He's now deciding on which esteemed four-year institution to attend in the fall.

Actor/singer John Treacy Egan gave the keynote address at the May 2007 Honors Convocation. Speaking to dozens of students receiving awards for their academic work, the 1983 graduate inspired the crowd with stories of Broadway. Egan played Max Bialystock in The Producers and will have a featured role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which opens on Broadway in December, 2007.

Westchester Community College student Joshua Engelberg (South Nyack, NY) has been accepted into the prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He is one of the college’s first Computer Science students to transfer to this esteemed four-year institution.

An exceptional student, Engelberg has a 4.0 grade point average and has impressed his Westchester Community College instructors. He also won the Computer Science Department’s curriculum award. Once he graduates later this month, he will join a number of other Computer Science students who have gone on to excellent four-year institutions. Two of his classmates are transferring to SUNY Binghamton (four were accepted last year), while other Computer Science students have recently gone on to SUNY Stonybrook (four students accepted last year), SUNY Albany, SUNY Buffalo, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Hunter College, CUNY, Brooklyn Polytechnic, Stevens Institute, New York Institute of Technology, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, SUNY Maritime, Western Connecticut State University, Embry-Riddle in Arizona, and University of Washington in Seattle.

In Westchester county, Computer Science students have transferred to such local institutions as Manhattan College, Iona College, and Pace University.

“We have a tremendous record of Computer Science students graduating and going on to four-year institutions,” says Westchester Community College Associate Professor and Curriculum Chair Elizabeth Branca. She attributes this to the strong connections between faculty members and students, and the Computer Science Department’s commitment to cutting edge technology.

Alexyia Smith of Mount Vernon was one of three members of the college's Mathematics Team to be recognized for their success in a national competition. The team was one of only three community college teams to be acknowledged at The Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications’ (COMAP) 23rd annual International Mathematical Contest in Math Modeling. The Westchester team’s entry ranking of “successful participant” was on a par with teams from Harvard, Princeton, Cal Tech, Columbia and Cornell. There were 949 teams which participated in the international competition, including many from the U.S. and China.

The three members, who worked with Assistant Professor Marvin Littman (Spring Valley), chose to solve a complex mathematical problem involving boarding and deboarding planes. Teams selecting this problem were also required to write a summary of their conclusions as if directed to an audience of airline executives, gate agents, and flight crews. Alexyia joined with Sohrab Saadat (Mount Kisco) and Brendan Kennedy (Mohegan Lake) in solving the problem.