Scholars 2013

Denise Gaynor – Michael J. Grant Campus

LIU Post - Nursing
Denise credits the Nursing Program at Suffolk County Community College putting her on the path to a very satisfying and gratifying career. She now works as a psychiatric nurse while pursuing her Bachelor's degree.

How has winning a SoLII scholarship affected you?
I have developed a network of support with fellow students, advisors, and professors. It is the kind of resource that is hard to sustain when one goes away to school, and then returns to Long Island to start a career.

Patricia Scholl – Ammerman Campus

LIU Riverhead - Communications:New Media and Journalism
After raising a family, Patricia decided to go back to college. She received a full-tuition scholarship to LIU and is pursuing a career in writing and editing. Patricia has published articles in Dan's Papers, L.I. Pulse, and Newsday. Presently, she is working on a novel.

Fall 2013 Recipients

Angela Curcio – Ammerman Campus

LIU Riverhead - Communication Studies: New Media
Angela transferred to Long Island University to study Communications; New Media after graduating from Suffolk County Community College with a degree in Communications; Journalism. Upon graduation at LIU, she plans to pursue her Masters in Business in Administration so that she can work in the management perspective of marketing, public relations, or promotions. 

Ilknur Eren – Eastern Campus

Dowling College - Communications
Ilknur is a Communications major concentrating on media studies and minoring in Marketing. After graduating, she would like to put her education to work in marketing, film, or public relations.

Are you still involved in extracurricular activities?
"The SoLII scholarship allowed me to open my time to play on the girls tennis team where I had the exciting opportunity to travel and play with other college teams."

Where is she now?
Ilknur Eren received her B.A. in Communications and Media Studies from Dowling College in May 2015. She was able to complete four internships during her time there, and is currently a part of a year–long incubation program where she is working on developing new tools for people with disabilities. She is also an active DREAMer and who appeared in an ELLE Magazine video and is a surrogate in an organization where she is able to speak about immigration and DACA.

Christina Jachowdik – Ammerman Campus

Adelphi University - Nursing
Christina intends to pursue a Master's Degree in Nursing with a focus in nutrition. Her passion is to promote wellness within the community and teach the importance of disease prevention through healthy lifestyle choices.

Amanda Kahalehoe – Eastern Campus

St. Joseph's College - Adolescence Education in English
Amanda is a full–time college student, wife, mother, employee, and the chapter President of Sigma Tau Delta. Her thesis will be presented at the Mid–Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association. While juggling these responsibilities, she maintains a GPA worthy of the Dean's List.

"I extend my sincerest gratitude to the dedicated faculty and staff of Suffolk County Community College as I continue to achieve academic and personal success, all of which have been made possible by the Stay on Long Island Initiative."

Sara Kriz – Eastern Campus

LIU Riverhead - Childhood Education
Sara seeks to create a non–profit organization that advocates for students with disabilities. The organization would also help educators to develop additional opportunities to accommodate these students.

What has inspired you to work with young people?
Working and volunteering for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Y.M.C.A. has instilled in me a strong desire to help others and support the community around me.

Michael Luca – Ammerman Campus

LIU Post - Musical Theater
While at Suffolk County Community College, Michael was heavily involved with both the Theater Department and the Honors Program. He now resides at LIU Post where he is enrolled as a Musical Theatre major with a minor in Mathematics.

How has winning a SOLII scholarship affected you?
"The scholarship has permitted me to experience dorm life. I find myself more committed to the learning process when I don't have to worry about getting to and from school."

Thalia Olaya – Eastern Campus

St. John's University - Criminal Justice
Thalia is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and minoring in Philosophy at St. John's University. She has taken on several leadership roles, including President of her Hall Council, co–founder of Project Empower Me, and student ambassador. She has also been active with the campus ministry, where she participates in an after school tutoring program and also distributes food and clothing to the homeless and immigrant workers.

Where is she now?
Thalia Olaya completed a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Philosophy in May 2015, and is currently attending Hofstra University Law School. While at St. John's, she was heavily involved in service projects, including "midnight runs" and "morning runs" to deliver food and clothing to homeless and day–laborers, and weekly after–school tutoring at a local elementary school. Additionally, she was a student ambassador, member of the Theta Phi Alpha sorority, and was awarded a Dean's Fellowship for a week at SJU's campus in Rome, Italy.

Maria Palmer – Michael J. Grant Campus

Five Towns College - Childhood Education
Maria had never imagined going to college, but her love of children inspired her to enroll at Suffolk County Community College as an Education major while student teaching at the campus child care center. 

Chris Petrosino – Michael J. Grant Campus

LIU Brentwood - Nursing
Chris Petrosino is an exceptional man who has devoted his time to health care. While at Suffolk County Community College, Chris navigated a challenging course load, worked full time as a Nurse Aide, attended clinicals, and served as co–President of the Nursing Club. Additionally Chris has served the greater community by establishing two non–profit organizations overseas, and serving as President/Vice President of the Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America.

Where is he now?
Chris Petrosino graduated with a 4.0 GPA from LIU Brentwood in May 2016 with his B.S. in Nursing. He was a standout at LIU, receiving multiple awards, including the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council Nurse of Excellence Award in 2015. He also published several articles, moderates an online group for the Autism Society of America, and continues to volunteer with Coffeecare, Ltd., a non–profit he founded dedicated to curing pediatric cancer in Africa. He is now employed as a Charge Nurse for the Psychiatric Units of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and is working towards his M.S. as a Family Nurse Practitioner at LIU.