Christina Vargas Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Take Back the Night Annual March – Friday, April 14
For nine years, the college has hosted a Take Back The Night event. This national prevention and education program is an opportunity to provide a space for sharing resources and support, and for renewing our college’s commitment to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are grateful to the hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members who have supported this event each year. Our march is being sponsored by the Take Back the Night planning committee of faculty, students and staff, along with dedicated community partners and agencies.
We would like to invite you to this year’s march taking place on Friday, April 14th at 7 p.m. at the Michael J. Grant Campus. We are happy to share that this is an in-person event that will happen rain or shine. Please contact the office of Campus Activities at your campus for additional information and to reserve transportation for that day.
Please register in advance for Take Back the Night using this link or scan the QR code that is on the attached flyer: https://forms.office.com/r/ce9ZSfwbY3
Leading up to the event, students, staff, faculty and community members are welcome to participate in our series of engagement projects taking place on all three campuses. These activities include designing butterflies and rocks with words of encouragement and allyship, as well as designing lanterns that are placed throughout the route of the walk. Each of our partners also share important information on their services and how we can support survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence.
In addition, students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to like and follow our Facebook page: Take Back the Night – Suffolk County Community College (https://www.facebook.com/groups/244478246594448) as well as the Instagram page – @takebackthenightsccc and post messages of empowerment to survivors with the hashtag #sccctbtn.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the chair of the planning committee, Danielle DiMauro-Brooks at dimaurd@sunysuffolk.edu. Thank you in advance for providing support to this important college-wide tradition.
Dr. Patty Munsch Vice President for Student Affairs
SUBJECT:
Athletics Department to Host StrikeOut Cancer Event: April 16, 2023
On Sunday, April 16, 2023, the Athletics Department will sponsor an event to support Breast Cancer awareness. During StrikeOut Cancer, the women’s softball team will host a double header starting at noon on the Michael J. Grant Campus. The games will feature pre-season #6-ranked Rowan College (NJ) Road Runners and the pre-season #7-ranked Suffolk County Community College Sharks. As part of the event fundraising, a gift basket raffle will take place in between games of the double header. In addition, Suffolk Athletics Breast Cancer tee shirts and sweatshirts will be available for sale, along with a gift basket raffle. The apparel is white with the pink Suffolk Sharks Athletics breast cancer ribbon logo on the front, and a StrikeOut Cancer logo on the left sleeve. You can purchase these items using the order form.
This will be the 14th Breast Cancer awareness event hosted by the Athletics Department. Through the years, our teams have raised more than $64,000 to support this important cause.
If you do not wish to purchase any merchandise, but still would like to make a donation you can send donations to the Brookhaven Gymnasium Room 110 c/o Joe Kosina. Checks should be made payable to: Suffolk CC Association, Inc. We will also be accepting gift baskets to raffle off the day of the event. If you would like to donate a basket please have it delivered to the Athletic Office on either the Ammerman or Grant campuses by Friday, April 14th.
For more information please contact Joe Kosina, College Associate Director of Athletics at kosinaj@sunysuffolk.edu or by phone at 631-451-4881. As always, we appreciate your support!
Seven students will be awarded The State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence; six are Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All State recipients, and four are Coca-Cola scholars.
Nine Suffolk County Community College students are being honored for their academic achievements by three prestigious organizations that recognize academic achievement, excellence and leadership. Several of the students have earned multiple awards.
Seven students will be awarded The State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence; six are Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All State recipients, and four are Coca-Cola scholars.
We are extremely proud of these exceptional students and their achievements,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue. “These are students who are engaged in their home and college communities; they innovate, dream, and achieve. They try their best and have proven that their best is extraordinary,” he said.
About the Awards
The student recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence are recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership, campus involvement, community service, arts (creative or performing), athletics, and/or career achievement.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
The 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholars are awarded $1,500 scholarships and Silver Scholar a $1,250 scholarship. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Award Recipients
Chancellors Award
Adrianna Oliva is an American Sign Language major from Stony Brook, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Adrianna serves as vice president of the ASL Club, is an Honors Scholar, and Orientation Leader at the College. She is also heavily involved with the College’s theatre program and has worked as a stage hand and an assistant sound designer for several campus productions that earned her a Certificate of Merit and the Junior Mint Award presented by the theatre arts faculty.
Chancellors Award
Emily Lucana is a Business Administration major from Huntington, has a 3.8 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Emily serves as vice president of the Honors Club, president of the Student Government Association, president of the Business and Accounting Club, Peer Mentor and SGA Representative at the Campus Activities Board. This Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar has already started her own art business, and is the recipient of the prestigious Honors Foundation Scholarship, which is the highest scholarship given by Suffolk County Community College’s Honors Program.
PTK All -State, Coca-Cola Silver Scholar, Chancellors Award
Ma Rodezsa (Dezsa) Santillan, a Liberal Arts major from Southold, has a 3.9 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. As one of only two Eastern Campus students nominated to the PTK All-USA Academic Team, Dezsa serves as president of the Campus Activities Board, where she has led events such as the Halloween Festival, FIFA Tournament, Oktoberfest and Bingo Day. Dezsa is also a Peer Mentor and an Orientation Leader, and is a regular blood donor at the Red Cross blood drives on campus.
Chancellors Award
Megan Ramirez, an Addiction Studies major from Bayshore, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Megan serves as president of the Addiction Studies Club, vice president of Alpha Sigma Lambda and is a Get There from Here Scholar. Megan is a regular volunteer at Brighter Tomorrows Inc., and ECLI/VIBES, speaking at events to raise awareness about domestic violence, distributing holiday toys, and organizing their clothing pantry. She has also appeared in Suffolk County’s Narcan Training Video as well as the College’s own photo shoots and commercials.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Nicholas Maloney, a Liberal Arts Psychology major from Lake Ronkonkoma, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Nicholas serves as vice president of service for PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter and is a member of the Honors College. He is a recipient of the Get There from Here Scholarship, volunteers weekly in the campus food pantry, and also performs stand-up comedy while not on campus. His many contributions to the College have earned him one of only two nominations for the Ammerman Campus PTK All-USA Academic Team.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Christine Castillo, a Health Information Technology major from Brentwood, has a 3.8 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Christine is the president and co-founder of the Global Connections Club, which promotes and celebrates student cultural diversity. She is also a Peer Mentor, senator in the Student Government and is a recipient of several prestigious scholarships, including the NSF-STEM Scholarship, Vanessa Todd Scholarship, and Get There from Here Scholarship. Christine also regularly volunteers as her church’s secretary and at Pronto of Long Island, helping LI’s needy population.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Kaycee Gracia, a Liberal Arts: Geology major from Sayville, has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Kaycee serves as President of PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, where she directed two major campaigns: to combat “fast fashion” and create an Autism Sensory Room on the Ammerman Campus. She is also an Orientation Leader and is the recipient of nine scholarships, most notably the Get There from Here Scholarship, Sartorius STEM Scholarship, and NSF-STEM Scholarship. She also actively volunteers with the Rotaract Community Service Club and campus food pantry.
PTK All-State
Meredith Rosa, a Business Marketing major from Central Islip and has a 3.8 grade point average. She has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Meredith serves as president of the Dance Club, Executive Board, Peer Mentor and was one of the nominees for PTK All-USA, All-State Academic Team.
PTK All-State
Thursday Abad, a Liberal Arts major from Wading River, has a 3.7 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. This future art museum curator is one of only two Eastern Campus students nominated to the PTK All-USA Academic Team for the 2022-2023 academic year. Thursday also serves as secretary of PTK, is a peer mentor, and has one of her essays published in the Eastern Campus student Newspaper, Lighthouse News.
County Executive Steven Bellone and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Minority Health, in collaboration with Suffolk County Community College and College Wide Office of Multicultural Affairs, would like to invite you to the Gospel Health Fest 2023!
The event will feature health testimonials, education, screening, and refreshments. Also, our counties finest Gospel choirs, dance ministries, and groups in a musical event designed to uplift and inspire.
This event is FREE and open to the public and Lunch will be served.
Register for Open House on Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 12-2 PM
We invite you to join us for Suffolk County Community College Open House. You will have the opportunity to meet faculty, explore scholarships, tour the campuses, speak with Admissions and Financial Aid counselors, learn about student clubs/organizations and more.
Please select the location you wish to attend below and complete the registration form.
Suffolk County Community College Alumni & Friends,
You are Invited to Attend
A Free Webinar – New York Life “How to Pay for College”
Thursday, April 6, 2023 6:30 PM ET
We all know that a college education can make a big difference in a child’s life. That’s why we encourage you to join a complimentary college funding seminar.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
The student loan landscape and its effect on college graduates
How much a four-year degree costs today – and what it may cost tomorrow
Available options parents have when building a college funding plan
Resources you can turn to for more information and assistance
See why it’s never too late to start a college funding plan. If you have a child or grandchild, you won’t want to miss this informative event.
Presented by Sean Boller, Product Consultant, New York Life Insurance Company
Hosted by Debra Magliano ’91, Financial Services Professional Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
This seminar and insurance sales presentation is for informational purposes only. Neither New York Life nor its agents provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting advisors before taking any action. New York Life Insurance Company and its affiliates are not associated with the Suffolk County Community College Alumni Association
Suffolk Community College Alumni Relations 533 College Road, The Cottage, Selden, NY 11784-2889 Phone: 631.451.4941 | Email: alumni@sunysuffolk.edu
Find Suffolk County Community College Alumni Association online:
As part of our partnership with SUNY Suffolk, Suffolk Credit Union funds $43,825 worth of scholarships annually for local students attending the school.
Learn about: LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Michael E. Reilly Memorial Scholarship Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholarship for NEW Students Suffolk Credit Union Partial Scholarship Suffolk Credit Union Scholarship Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholarship for CONTINUING Students Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholarship for Full-time Students
Register for Open House on Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 12-2 PM
Meet 2012 Suffolk County Community College graduate Jessica Peluso.
Jessica has more than 10 years of non-profit sector experience in leadership, program development and management and is the Assistant Director of Education and Diversity at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cancer Center where she manages the national laboratory’s education and diversity initiatives to better support trainees and faculty.
Jessica has BA in Psychology, MA in Human Services and I’m currently working toward an MBA degree in Healthcare Leadership.
“My hope is to bridge my education and experience to enhance the success of research organizations,” Jessica said.
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Learn about Suffolk County Community College Honors Program
The Battle to Name New York’s Favorite College Mascot
SUNY’s Mascot Madness is the annual competition that brings SUNY mascots together in a competition to find out who the fans feel is the best in all of New York. 2023 marks the 10th edition of this competition that brings campus communities together to show their spirit.
Last year, Wolfie from Stony Brook University was declared the winner and received the title of SUNY’s Mascot Ambassador. This year, it’s anybody’s game. For all the variety in our creative characters, there’s one thing they all have in common – their spirit for their campus communities and the SUNY family simply can’t be beat.
As is customary, and similar to the annual NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, Mascot Madness is broken down into 5 rounds. Voting paths can be found below. Follow all the action and show your support using #SUNY #MascotMadness on social media.
Suffolk County Community College, Michael J. Grant Campus Suffolk Credit Union Arena (Map) Brentwood, NY
New York Blood Center (NYBC) declared the first blood emergency of 2023. The blood emergency is due to several evolving factors, including recent poor weather, school breaks and cold and flu season. Last month, NYBC and its divisions across the nation received 6,000 fewer blood donations than the year prior and blood donations are 12% below hospital and patient needs.
The number of blood donations still are not back to pre-pandemic levels. Compounding the problem is a continued lag in first-time and youth donors, which remain about half of pre-pandemic levels. And while New Yorkers are returning to in-person work, office and community blood drives and visits to NYBC Donor Centers are significantly down. People working from home had an easier time donating in our donor centers, but we’re seeing a dramatic decrease at our centers.
“Each winter, we struggle to get folks to donate blood and this year is no exception. We need more New Yorkers to make blood donations, host blood drives and spread the word about the need for donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “Last year, we expanded our reach with a new donor center, and we recently announced new donor guidelines from the FDA; we are expanding in every way we can in order to reach new donors. This March, make a blood donation and tell a friend!”
In addition to whole blood donors, platelet donors are urgently needed. With a shelf life of just 7 days, NYBC relies on dedicated platelet donors to help patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with bleeding disorders, new mothers, and more.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain periods of time. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
The need is constant, but the supply is not. Visit nybc.org to schedule an appointment to donate, or call 800.933.2566.
Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Eta Gamma Alumni Chapter 