Celebrating Our Community!

We have been thrilled by the incredible response to our recent calls for participation! Thank you to every student who applied to join the CUNY BA Student Leadership Council, become a Peer Mentor or Ambassador, or contribute to this newsletter. Your engagement is what makes CUNY BA thrive.

As part of our ongoing effort to build a stronger community, we want to spotlight members of CUNY BA each month. On this occasion, we are excited to showcase the stories of two fascinating CUNY BA students whose work embodies the intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinarity that characterize our program. If you are working on an exciting project or want to recommend a classmate or faculty advisor to be featured, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our doctoral fellows!

Student Spotlight

One of the greatest strengths of CUNY BA is the diversity in our students’ areas of study and research interests. Their curiosity continues to inspire us. In this month’s student spotlight, we are excited to feature two of these admirable individuals and their unique academic journeys.

Meet CUNY BA scholar Cherry Leung, whose academic journey demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary learning. Unwilling to choose between Clinical Psychology and the Humanities, she crafted a primary concentration in “Queering Asians: Texts and Textures of Othered Identities“ alongside a secondary concentration in “Psychopathology and Neurodiversity.“

Through CUNY BA, she’s traveled to Osaka on study abroad funding, worked closely with faculty advisor Professor Harold Ramdass, and synthesized her passions into an eclectic thesis, a novel-in-progress titled Shrike, which she claims is the result of many academic endeavors she was allowed to explore at CUNY BA, including opera, queer theory, criticisms of Orientalism, and literary traditions from Shakespeare to gothic literature.

Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Literature and/or an MFA in Fiction on her path to becoming a Shakespeare scholar, author, and professor. Reflecting on her journey, she shares: “CUNY BA gave me the opportunity to continue exploring vast fields of study and making myself multi-faceted in a way that is meaningful to me.” Read more about her work here.

Ryan Ng is a CUNY BA scholar majoring in Urban Informatics. Inspired by urban planning, Ryan is currently researching technology that enhances urban infrastructure with a focus on NYC. “I am most grateful for the opportunity to strengthen my long-term career goals and increase my chances of pursuing a Master of Urban Planning after graduating from CUNY BA,” Ryan shared.

His research project integrates QGIS mapping to illustrate how the New York City Subway can be redesigned. He explores how deinterlining the NYC Subway System could significantly improve the experiences of millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation as their main form of commuting.

A theoretical NYC subway map redesigned by Ryan.

Upcoming Events

Interested in attending Graduate School? During this work-in-progress series, our CUNY BA Doctoral Fellows will answer your questions! Attend these virtual workshops to learn about the grad school application process and receive feedback on your application materials.

More information and RSVP HERE.

Leadership Opportunities

Join the CUNY BA “Social Entrepreneurship” Mentorship Group

In this group, you will understand the elements involved in creating a business and gain firsthand insight into the challenges that may arise.

The group’s goal will be supported by CUNY BA alumnus Ethan Frisch, who will facilitate discussions and share best practices in a group setting. Apply here by October 15th.

Opportunities: Scholarships, Internships, and Graduate Programs

Funding is waiting for you, explore these scholarship opportunities and apply today!

The Barbara Sproul Scholarship. Apply by Saturday, October 31st. More information HERE.

The Memorial Scholarship. Apply by Saturday, October 31st. More information HERE.

The Miguel & Magdalena Santiago Memorial Scholarship. Apply by Saturday, October 31st. More information HERE.

The CUNY SPH 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Program Information Sessions

This program allows eligible CUNY BA undergraduates to begin graduate coursework while completing their bachelor’s degree.

Attend one of these virtual information sessions to learn more about the application process and eligibility criteria.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6 – 7 pm | Register

Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026, 1 – 2 pm | Register

Lifelong Peer Learning Program (LP2) Open House

You are invited to become a lifelong learner! On Thursday, October 8th, the LP 2 Program is opening the doors to four excellent study groups. More information and RSVP here.