Meet Some of Queensborough’s Stellar Graduates of 2019!
Keiann Simon, A.S. degree in Forensic Science, hails from the Caribbean country of Guyana. She comes from a family of strong women, especially her mother, who was the highest ranking female in the Guyana army. Keiann was inspired by her mother to explore her own interest in the judicial system, specifically forensic science, and so took an internship in the Forensic Lab of the Criminal Investigation Department in Guyana. Keiann enrolled at Queensborough in the fall of 2017 where she continued her passion for forensic studies. She plans to one day open her own Forensic Science firm in Guyana. Recently, Keiann was selected to become a scholar in the American Chemical Society's Scholars Program. She was one of 120 scholars chosen from across the country. To qualify for this award, students must have an outstanding academic standing and demonstrate a strong record of American Chemical Society research and professional conference presentations. Keiann will transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the fall.
Dr. Paris Svoronos, Professor of Chemistry, guides NSF-REU students from their first courses in chemistry, to their research mentors, Dr. David Sarno and Dr. Jun Shin, and arranges their internships, and provides opportunities to participate in regional and national conference presentations.
Meilun DiFransico, A.S. in Business Administration. Meilun, born in China, won first place in the CUNY League of Active Speech Professors (CLASP) Speech competition at LaGuardia Community College. Meilun was nominated by her Speech Professor, James Savage. She also found support from Florence Tse, Director of Port of Entry, Pre-College, Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Meilun is the recipient of Queensborough's Presidential Incentive award for outstanding academic achievement as a working parent. Meilun will continue her studies in financial mathematics at Baruch College.
Matthew DiBono, A.S. degree in Business Administration. Matthew, a native of Queens, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Societies. He participated in the 2018 Pipeline to Justice Summer Pre-Law Program, and was elected Model Senator for the 2019 Model NYS Senate Session. Matthew also is running for Congress in New York's sixth Congressional District. Matthew is a winner of the Presidential Incentive Award (Evening Student) for an outstanding student who returned to Queensborough to complete their education. He will continue his studies this fall at Queens College where he will major in Business.
Ronald Chan, President of the Student Government Association. Ronald, who will speak on behalf of the student body at commencement, is graduating this spring with an A.S. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Ronald is a 2018 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship semifinalist, and was named to the 2019 Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team. Ronald, who aspires to pursue a career as an impact investor, intends to continue his studies in economics this fall at Cornell Dyson. He is a recipient of the College's 2019 John F. Kennedy Memorial Award for demonstrating outstanding college and community leadership, as well as scholastic achievement.
Monique Fisher, Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Monique attended a specialized high school for the performing arts and is trained as an opera singer. Over time she also developed a passion for working with children and will transfer to Hunter College this fall to study psychology. Monique is a recipient of the College's Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for exceptional leadership in promoting racial harmony and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Michael Green, A.S. degree in Criminal Justice. Michael is a recipient of the Southpole Foundation academic merit scholarship and will transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the fall of 2019. He plans to join the NYPD Cadet Corps.
John Saeteros, A.S. degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. Out of some 300 CUNY students who applied for the CUNY IBM Watson Social Impact Challenge, John and his team—Queensborough students Shuhua Song and Rances Tremols—were among the top ten finalists to pitch their business idea on May 3. John and his team of fellow students were among the top five teams to receive the 2018 Impactful Social Business Idea Award for John’s winning business idea, Safe-Bit, an electronic tracking bracelet to ensure security and improve health tracking for the elderly. His chief mentors were Dr. Christine Mooney, Business and Professor Michael Lawrence, Engineering Technology. John is planning to continue his education at a four-year CUNY college.
Mateo Sáenz, A.S. in Biotechnology. Mateo participated in the CUNY and Capital One Community College Innovation Challenge. He developed his business hypothesis, Eagle-I, an autonomous robot designed to help emergency responders by using biotechnology sensors and artificial intelligence to find survivors and save lives. Eagle-I was one of the winning pitches presented at the fall 2017 CUNY and Capital One Community College Innovation Challenge. Mateo's major accomplishment was his $50,000 grant awarded by the National Science Foundation. The grant allowed Mateo to travel the country, conducting more than 100 interviews to hear first-hand what the biggest challenges are for emergency responders. His chief mentors were Dr. Christine Mooney, Business and Professor Michael Lawrence, Engineering Technology. He traveled to California during the massive wildfires where he spent days with firefighters, FEMA, the LAPD and the Air Force. Mateo, whose goal is to one day become an oncologist, hopes to transfer to Stanford University.
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