Association of Indians in America-NY forges links with Queensborough Community College

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(Standing from left) Jasbir Jay Singh – Chief Editor and CEO of Hum Hindustani, Dr. Nidhi Gadura – Chairperson of Chairs of QCC and Professor, Biological Sciences & Geology, Gobind Munjal – President AIA, Dr. Christine Mangino – President of Queensborough Community College, Dr. Jagdish K. Gupta – President AIA-NY Chapter, Smiti Khanna – Advisor AIA-NY, Beena Kothari – President-Elect AIA-NY, rs. Bhavna Jee – Director Hum Hindustani, Saji Sheerazi – Director of Development, Division of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement QCC. (Sitting) Stephen Di Dio, Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Division of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement, Harsh Vyas – Vice President, AIA-NY. PHOTO: AIA-NY

The Association of Indians in America (AIA) — NY Chapter, considered one of the oldest community organizations in the US, is charting a new path in its ongoing journey. The President of AIA-NY Dr. Jagdish K. Gupta, recently led a delegation to meet the leadership of Queensborough Community College (QCC), a premier City University of New York (CUNY) institution, to initiate cultural and educational collaboration.

The AIA-NY team was given a firsthand look at two of QCC’s distinguished departments: Engineering & Technology, and Nursing. Inspired by the visit, AIA-NY pledged to support education at QCC by establishing a scholarship fund with an initial donation of $10,000.

Dr Jagdish Gupta was accompanied by AIA-NY Vice President Beena Kothari, National AIA President Gobind Munjal, Past President & Advisor Smiti Khanna, Secretary Harsh Vyas, and other community leaders.

Audrey Maroney, Director Of The Jackson & Muriel Lum Nursing Resource Lab, posing with Interactive Mannequin Models for Nursing Education. PHOTO: AIA-NY
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They met the QCC team led by President Dr. Christine Mangino. Prof. Nidhi Gadura (Chair of Chairs), Audrey Maroney (Director of Nursing), Prof. Michael D. Lawrence (Engineering Technology), Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer Stephen Di Dio, and Director of Development Sajedeh Sheerazi welcomed the AIA-NY delegation.

Queensborough Community College in Bayside, NY, is a fully accredited two-year college recognized for its success in helping low-income students advance in life, a press release from AIA said. Its students come from more than 110 countries and speak over 60 languages, Approximately 30% of the students are of Indian origin. Dr Gupta said that reflecting the rich diversity of Queens, QCC is an ideal partner for cultural and educational collaboration with AIA-NY.

AIA-NY has pledged to support education at QCC by establishing the ‘Student Success Scholarship Fund’ with an initial donation of $10,000 (10 scholarships of $1,000 each). These scholarships aim to assist students from low-income families enrolled in certificate or associate degree programs, to cover tuition, course materials, and essential educational expenses.

Dr. Jagdish K Gupta, President AIA-NY, with Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College. PHOTO: AIA-NY

The check was presented to QCC President Dr. Christine Mangino, and the two sides reinforced their commitment to future cultural collaborations, including the celebration of Holi this spring and Diwali later in the year.

Founded in 1967, AIA has been promoting the welfare of Asian Indians and showcasing India’s rich culture and traditions. The annual Deepavali celebration at South St Seaport in NY has been its flagship event.