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14 Non-traditional City Tech Students Recognized for Academic Achievement
Among the first City Tech inductees into the XAE National Honor Society were Yadira Moncion, Daniel Vega and Brigitte Palermo.
A new chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE), a national honor society that recognizes students who entered college through higher education opportunity or student support programs, has been established at New York City College of Technology (City Tech).
Fourteen City Tech students, who had to overcome significant environmental or academic disadvantages to excel at the college, were recently inducted into the new Beta Lambda Chapter. Also inducted were City Tech President Fred W. Beaufait and Ron Platzer, associate director of the Search for Elevation and Education through Knowledge (SEEK) Program, which helps students like the inductees achieve their educational and career goals through counseling, financial aid and academic support services.
"We are very happy to establish a chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon on campus," President Beaufait said. "It will have a significant impact on the self-esteem of the inducted students, who have a high need for achievement and have not previously had the opportunity to express that need in an academic context."
Among the new inductees were students from all parts of New York City. A thumbnail sketch of three honorees tells a story of determination and achievement:
Brigitte Palermo, who lives in Sunset Park/Brooklyn, is in her senior year. Her family was originally from Puerto Rico. "I'm very excited to be one of the first City Tech students to be inducted into this society," she said. "It's an acknowledgement that I'm doing very well, and it's wonderful to know that for the rest of my life I'll be a Chi Alpha Epsilon sister, with access to a nationwide network of people who can lend a hand or provide support when needed."
At age 32, Palermo has two boys, ages six and
14, both of whom attend public schools. "Right now, I'm finishing
special course work in children's studies at the CUNY Graduate Center,"
she explained. "After 9/11 many small children were in crisis
and the University offered students the opportunity to create an
individualized curriculum to meet the emerging needs. My personal
goal is to become a teacher."
Daniel Vega is a sophomore from Ridgewood/Queens who is majoring in computer information systems. He hopes to earn his associate's degree in the fall. "I've been working hard to keep my academic average high," he says, "and last year I made the Dean's List."
When asked how he felt about being accepted into the honor society, Vega said, with a note of personal pride, "If it was easy to accomplish, there wouldn't have been so few chosen. It's like when you graduate from high school, you feel good -- you've earned your spot!" Vega, age 20, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, intends to go on for his bachelor's and then his master's degree.
Yadira Moncion is a 21-year-old
Mott Haven/Bronx resident who is majoring in human services. "Two
years from now, when I graduate," she said, "I plan to
go to Hunter College to get my master's degree in social work. Membership
in this honor society is a very good thing," she added. "It
adds a certain luster to our résumés."
Moncion's parents, who came here from the Dominican
Republic, get a lot of credit from their daughter for her success.
"I have to especially thank my mom and dad, whose support has
made this possible for me," she said.
Founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
in 1989, Chi Alpha Epsilon wasformed to recognize the academic achievements
of students admitted to colleges through non-traditional criteria.
Its goals are to promote continued high academic standards, foster
communication among its members and honor academic excellence achieved
by XAE students, who must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or
better for two consecutive full-time semesters to qualify.
According to City Tech's Platzer, XAE membership
will enable students to take on a kind of leadership role that may
be new to them. "They can be mentors, tutors, role models;
they can encourage others to strive for the 'tassel,'" he explained.
The tassel is the XAE honor cord that is ceremonially worn at academic
events, symbolizing the society's motto: "The tassel is worth
the hassle."
"Membership in Chi Alpha Epsilon celebrates
our students' excellence on a national scale and will link them
to a network of alumni and peers with similar achievements and similar
goals," he added. "It can open many doors for them academically
and professionally."
Present at the May 23 induction ceremony, in addition
to the honorees' families and friends, were many distinguished guests
who have supported the effort to create a chapter of this honor
society at New York City College of Technology, including Assemblymen
Roger Greene and Arthur Eve (retired), who also have been actively
involved with the SEEK Program at the College. Both received special
awards. Elbert Saddler, founder and president of XAE, presented
the chapter charter and led the induction.
Rounding out the 14 students inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon (including the borough in which they live) are: Franklin Bonilla (Bronx), Jose Carchi (Queens), Zi Ying "Selena" Chen (Manhattan), Yalian Chou (Queens), Carolyn Clark (Brooklyn), Martha Henriquez (Brooklyn), Simon Iokhvidson (Brooklyn), Minh Thai Le (Brooklyn), Katarzyna Mularczyk (Brooklyn), Erin Riera (Brooklyn) and Gregory Sandeus (Brooklyn).
Photo credit: Michele Forsten
