Opportunities

CUNY BA students enjoy a dual citizenship of sorts, retaining access to all of the services, extracurriculars, and benefits of their home college. They layer on top of those all of the opportunities available to them through CUNY BA. Below you will find information about CUNY BA scholarships, leadership opportunities, study abroad, our annual student showcase, and Fulbright advising.

Scholarships

CUNY BA students apply for financial aid through their home colleges. In addition, subject to the availability of funding, the program is pleased to offer a number of funding opportunities. These awards, funded by a variety of donors, are exclusively for students enrolled in the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. Students who meet the basic eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for CUNY BA funding opportunities, as well as scholarships and awards available at their CUNY home colleges and through external organizations.

Newly admitted students who want to apply for any of these scholarships are encouraged to submit their Area of Concentration form(s) by the scholarship application deadline. Students with 90 or more credits must have a graduation audit before the scholarship application deadline.

Prior to submitting your application, we highly recommend that you review your CUNY BA transcript in the self-service area of CUNYfirst to be sure it is up-to-date.

Opportunities are listed according to their application period. Please click on each funding opportunity below for detailed information:

Fall: August 14 - September 30 | Spring: January 14 - February 28

Barbara Price Scholarship (For First-Semester Students)

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

be a first-semester student of the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies program
have a GPA of at least 3.00 at the time of admission
have completed at least 30 credits
enroll in a minimum of 6 credits in their first semester with the program

Award Details

This is a one-time award of $2,500 and previous recipients may not re-apply.

Application

Applications are accepted during the first months of the Fall and Spring semesters. Notifications of awards are sent out in the months of October for the Fall semester and March for the Spring semester. A link to the application will be posted on this page when the application is open.

When submitting your application, please make sure your responses are substantial and well thought out. Answer each question as accurately as possible. Carefully consider your answers and make sure you proofread before submitting your application. Also please note the character limits on the form. You are encouraged to compose your responses in a separate document and copy and paste them into the online form.

Applicants are required to provide a recommender’s information in the online application. Your recommender should be a faculty member that knows you and your work well. Once your application is submitted your recommender will receive an automated online recommendation form that must be completed as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommender and ensure that they submit the online recommendation form.

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The Fall 2026 application will be posted in August.

The Anne Duncan Somsen Memorial Fund (For First-Generation Students)

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

be a first-generation college student - defined as neither parent has completed a higher education degree in the US or foreign country
be in good academic standing; not under academic review
applicants may be registered part-time or full-time

Award Details

Up to four awards in the amount of $750 will be awarded each Fall and Spring semester. This is a one-time award; previous recipients may not re-apply.

Application

Applicants are required to provide a recommender’s information in the online application. Your recommender should be a faculty member that knows you and your work well. Once the application is submitted your recommender will receive an automated online recommendation form that must be completed as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommender and ensure that they submit the online recommendation form.

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The Fall 2026 application will be posted in August.

Fall: October 1 - October 31 | Spring: March 1 - March 31

The Memorial Scholarship (For Students in Social Work, Human Services, Health or Education)

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

be working in or preparing for careers in health, human services, social welfare or education. This includes interdisciplinary fields such as arts and education, educational technology, public health, nonprofit management, and other fields that focus on public service.
be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
have an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher
be in good academic standing; not under academic review
applicants may be registered part-time or full-time

Award Details

Up to five scholarships in the amount of $1,500 will be awarded each Fall and Spring semester. This is a one-time award; previous recipients may not re-apply.

Application

Applications are accepted during the first months of the Fall and Spring semesters. Notifications of awards are sent out in the months of November for the Fall semester and April for the Spring semester. A link to the application will be posted on this page when the scholarship is open.

Applicants are required to provide a recommender’s information in the online application. Your recommender should be a faculty member that knows you and your work well. Once the application is submitted your recommender will receive an automated online recommendation form that must be completed as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommender and ensure that they submit the online recommendation form.

Apply Here:

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The Fall 2026 application will be posted in October.

The Barbara Sproul Scholarship (For Students in Religious Studies)

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

be pursuing religious studies directly or an interdisciplinary field that includes religious studies
be in good academic standing; not under academic review
applicants may be registered part-time or full-time

Award Details

Up to five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded each Fall and Spring semester. This is a one-time award; previous recipients may not re-apply.

Application

Applicants are required to provide a recommender’s information in the online application. Your recommender should be a faculty member that knows you and your work well. Once the application is submitted your recommender will receive an automated online recommendation form that must be completed as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommender and ensure that they submit the online recommendation form.

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The Fall 2026 application will be posted in October.

Fall: November 1 - November 30 | Spring: April 1 - April 30

The Thomas W. Smith Academic Fellowship (Award for Academic Excellence)

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

Have at least 45 credits completed
Have at least 6 CUNY credits in progress as a CUNY BA student
Have at least 6 credits remaining to complete the CUNY BA degree requirements beyond the semester during which they apply for the Fellowship (students cannot apply during their last semester in the CUNY BA program)
Have no incomplete grades (INC) on their record without valid explanation and documentation
Have approved Area of Concentration(s) and completed Graduation Audit, if applicable
Be in good academic standing; not under academic review
International students may apply

Award Details

The Thomas W. Smith Academic Fellowship recognizes academic achievement and excellence and is merit-based. Attention is given to the applicant's GPA and to the scholarly robustness of the applicant's academic interests and plans. The committee is interested in candidates’ scholarly pursuits and depth of experience in their fields, corresponding co-curricular activities, as well as any academic honors and recognitions. The committee also notes civic and community engagement.

GPA is not the only factor in the committee’s decision; however, you should maintain as strong a GPA as possible and include an explanation about any low or incomplete grades in your application. In this explanation, include your expectation of when any incomplete grades will be resolved and details on the steps you are taking to improve your GPA.

Awards of $4,000 per semester are made to full-time students taking 12+ credits per semester; $3,000 per semester to part-time students taking 9-11 credits per semester; and $2,000 per semester for students taking 6-8 credits per semester. Recipients begin to receive funding in the semester following the one in which they are selected for the fellowship. Awards are typically disbursed in October and March. For example, selected applicants from the fall application cycle become Smith Fellows in the following spring semester and their award is disbursed in March.

Award Requirements

Fellowship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds. If funds remain available, your participation in the Fellowship will be automatically renewed until you have completed minimum degree requirement which typically means around 120 credits. Therefore, CUNY BA has the right to determine funding eligibility after you earn 120 credits. In most cases, Smith Fellowship funding terminates when a student has reached 120 credits. If you are a CUNY BA student who is also a student of the Macaulay Honors College and you receive 5^th year funding from Macaulay Honors College, please note that the Smith Fellowship will not extend to cover that 5^thyear of college. The funding will terminate when you reach 120 credits.

In addition to maintaining good academic standing, Smith Fellows must take at least six credits each semester following the award; attend an orientation session and other events and ceremonies throughout the semester; submit an end of semester report each semester; and have a graduation audit when they reach 90 credits. CUNY BA reserves the right to scale back or terminate funding if it is determined that a Smith Fellow is taking excessive elective credits. Please see the Guidelines Summary for Applicants for more information on fellowship requirements.

Smith Fellows who wish to receive funding during a term in which they are studying abroad must comply with the CUNY International Travel Guidelines. Smith Fellows should contact Kate McPherson to coordinate their plans and receive approval as far in advance of their time abroad as possible.

Application

Applications are accepted during the final months of the Fall and Spring semesters. Notifications of awards are sent out in December for the Fall semester and May for the Spring semester. A link to the application will be posted on this page when the fellowship is open.

When submitting your application, please ensure your responses are substantial and well thought out. Answer each question as accurately as possible. Carefully consider your answers and make sure you proofread before submitting your application. Also, please note the character limits on the form. You are encouraged to compose your responses in a separate document and copy and paste them into the online form.

Letter of recommendation for the Thomas W. Smith Academic Fellowship: A formal letter of recommendation is required. Your CUNY BA faculty mentor should write the letter. If you are new to the CUNY BA program and do not yet have a faculty mentor, then your recommendation can be written by another CUNY or non-CUNY faculty member. Please do not ask a CUNY BA staff member to write your recommendation letter. We consider this a conflict of interest. The letter of recommendation should be emailed to scholarships@cunyba.cuny.edu as soon as possible.

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The Fall 2026 application will be posted in November.

Barbara Price Experiential Learning Scholarship (For All Students)

CUNY BA is pleased to offer scholarships that support three types of high-impact experiential learning opportunities: study abroad, undergraduate research, and unpaid internships.

Applications are accepted in November for Winter/Spring programs and in April for Summer/Fall programs. Notifications of awards are sent out in the months of December and May, respectively. A link to each scholarship application will be posted on this page when the application opens.

Study Abroad

Eligibility

The study abroad program must be for credit at an accredited program. Campus exchange programs and CUNY programs are recommended, as being the most cost-effective
Student must be in good academic standing, not under academic review

Award Details

Up to $3,000 for a full-semester study abroad (fall or spring)
Up to $1,500 for a short-term study abroad (winter or summer)
Priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding for study abroad from CUNY BA
Students must meet all CUNY travel and study abroad requirements to be eligible for the award. Home campus study abroad program or liaison can assist students with this. Please refer to the CUNY International Travel Guidelines: https://www1.cuny.edu/sites/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/media-assets/CUNY-International-Travel-Guidelines.pdf

Application

The application requires the following:

Answering questions related to the expected benefits in terms of learning and professional development, financial need, and why the student has chosen this particular program
Supporting documentation, including but not limited to:
- Proof of application or acceptance letter to an accredited study abroad program (verified by CUNY, IIE, or CIEE). If not available at the time application, this must be submitted before the award can be disbursed.
- Official program statement of costs (projected costs) from the program, such as in a brochure or acceptance letter
- Other expenses documentation, as necessary (for example, flight cost documentation)
Accepting to provide proof of successful completion of academic credit upon return
Committing to share experiences, upon completion, with the CUNY BA community, for example, presenting, speaking on a workshop panel, or creating content for the CUNY BA webpage

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The application for Winter/Spring programs will be posted in November.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry

Eligibility

The student must be participating in undergraduate research, creative inquiry, and/or conference travel
The research or creative inquiry experience needs to be for credit; for example, being registered for a thesis course or independent study
Student must be in good academic standing, not under academic review

Award Details

To support student engagement in undergraduate research, creative inquiry activities, and scholarly development connected to an approved undergraduate research project, up to $500
To support conference travel for students presenting at a relevant professional conference, up to $500
Priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding for undergraduate research from CUNY BA
Students must meet all CUNY domestic travel requirements to be eligible for the award. Please refer to the CUNY Domestic Travel Guidelines: https://www.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/page-assets/about/administration/offices/ovsa/policies/Domestic-Travel-Guidelines-2018-REVISED.pdf

Application

The application requires the following:

Answering questions related to the expected benefits in terms of learning and professional development and financial need
Course name and code. If not available at the time application, this must be submitted before the award can be disbursed.
Supporting documentation, including but not limited to:
- Proof of project and registration for credit: Letter from faculty mentor, offer letter to work on research project, or conference proposal acceptance letter
- Documented expenses, such as registration and travel costs receipts
Committing to share experiences, upon completion, with the CUNY BA community, for example, presenting, speaking on a workshop panel, or creating content for the CUNY BA webpage

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The application for Winter/Spring programs will be posted in November.

Unpaid Internship

Eligibility

The internship must be a quality unpaid internship
The internship must be for credit, for example, being registered for independent study. Most academic departments offer an internship course each semester and students should consult the course catalog or schedule of classes
The internship must have a duration of a full semester with a minimum of 10 hours per week for Fall and Spring semesters and a minimum of 140 hours for Summer or Winter semesters
The internship must be within the continental United States and occur while the applicant is a registered CUNY BA student, i.e., not graduating during the time of the internship
Student must be in good academic standing, not under academic review

Award Details

Scholarship to support a quality unpaid internship up to $1,000.
Priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding for an unpaid internship from CUNY BA
Students must meet all CUNY domestic travel requirements to be eligible for the award. Please refer to the CUNY Domestic Travel Guidelines: https://www.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/page-assets/about/administration/offices/ovsa/policies/Domestic-Travel-Guidelines-2018-REVISED.pdf

Application

The application requires the following:

Answering questions related to financial need, expected benefits in terms of learning and professional development and how the role fits with professional interests
Course name and code. If not available at the time application, this must be submitted before the award can be disbursed.
Supporting documentation, including but not limited to:
- Offer letter confirming that the internship is unpaid
- Detailed job description and learning goals of the role
- The CUNY BA Quality Internship Verification Checklist (PDF) form, signed by the supervisor, which attests to types of responsibilities, training, and supervision the student will receive, and the limits of clerical tasks
Committing to share experiences, upon completion, with the CUNY BA community, for example, presenting, speaking on a workshop panel, or creating content for the CUNY BA webpage

Apply Here

This opportunity is not accepting applications. The application for Winter/Spring unpaid internships will be posted in November.

Scholarship Office

For all scholarships related questions please contact the CUNY BA Scholarships department at scholarships@cunyba.cuny.edu. See below for the contact information of Tracy Mejia Urena, our Scholarships & Events Specialist.

Tracy Mejia Urena

Scholarships & Events Specialist

Phone: 212-817-8223
Email: Tracy.MejiaUrena61@cunyba.cuny.edu
Drop-in hours: Thursdays from 11 AM-1 PM
Attend drop-in hours on Zoom: Click here

Leadership Opportunities

CUNY BA offers a range of opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and experience.

Peer Mentors

"I appreciate my peer mentor so much. He is phenomenal and he deserves so much recognition for how invested he is in truly helping and supporting his peers. He goes above and beyond." ~Malika Pegues, Peer Mentee 2020

“Joining CUNY BA is one of the best decisions I have ever made… I have learned that self-advocacy is essential, especially in such a big program like CUNY. I would love to help new CUNY BA students learn how to navigate some of the academic and bureaucratic hurdles that may appear along the way, as well as encourage them to make the best of CUNY BA.” ~Miranda-Sofia Ranghelli-Duran, Peer Mentor, 2020

“I believe CUNY BA is an incredibly dynamic program that can help students pursue their individualized career and academic interests. However, at the same time, students may still struggle navigating the administrative bureaucracy and academic procedures while in the program… I want to help CUNY BA students feel confident about their academic plans and provide any kind of guidance, advice or mentorship to CUNY BA students who may be pursuing similar academic interests.” ~Wali Ullah, Peer Mentor, 2020

“My experience with my peer mentor and the CUNY BA Peer Mentoring program has been a real pleasure. It is a different relationship to develop with a peer - more relaxed, less pressure and a great place to let off steam about the heavy lift that designing your own program can sometimes be. Angela is a supportive, curious and friendly human that I know I can touch base with - whether it be memes or moans or news to celebrate for either of us. My experience of the CUNY BA Peer Mentor program has been really grounding over my first semester, and I hope to carry this relationship into the future.” ~Christina Marks, Peer Mentee, 2021

“Being a part of the CUNY BA mentorship program has been wonderful, I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet my mentees. Seeing their hard work and determination to have the most fulfilling undergrad experience has further motivated me in my studies.” ~Angela Vasovic, Peer Mentor, 2021

What is a Peer Mentor?

A peer mentor is a guide, coach, role model, advocate, and friend who is there to help you grow professionally and personally by sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences.

The CUNY BA Peer Mentor Program was established in 2019 to foster greater community involvement in CUNY BA and better prepare CUNY BA students for success, both in the program and beyond.

The Peer Mentor’s Role

Peer mentors supplement the guidance that students receive from their academic advisor and faculty mentor, and help their mentees successfully navigate the program. Mentor responsibilities can include, but are not limited to, helping mentees:
- Establish and maintain a productive relationship with a faculty mentor.
- Design or refine their academic plans for specific Area(s) of Concentration.
- Anticipate and navigate administrative issues, such as course registration.
- Find and participate in relevant professional and personal development opportunities.
- Succeed in their classes and enhance academic growth.
- Gain a strong source of personal and social support throughout the semester.

The Peer Mentee’s Role

Mentorship is a two-way street, and mentees invest in the relationship just as much as mentors. As such, mentees are called to:
- Be open and communicative with mentors about specific needs, goals, and challenges.
- Reach out to mentors with questions or concerns that arise throughout the semester.
- Make the most out of the partnership by respecting mentors’ time and energy.

Benefits of Program Participation

Students who participate in the peer mentor program benefit from:
- Ongoing professional and leadership development opportunities
- Enhanced communication, interpersonal, and management skills
- Networking opportunities with other CUNY BA students and staff

Peer mentors also benefit from:
- An exciting program opportunity to add to a CV or resume
- Potential volunteer hours to fulfill outstanding service requirements (dependent on specific service program criteria)

Interested in Applying? Questions?

Peer mentors and mentees are assigned for one-semester terms at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semester. If you are interested in applying to be a Peer Mentor for Spring 2025, APPLY HERE.

The CUNY BA Peer Mentor Program is overseen by the CUNY BA Fellows. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Fellows at fellows@cunyba.cuny.edu.

Campus Ambassadors

What are campus ambassadors?

Program goals:

The Student Ambassadors’ program was created to accomplish four broad goals:

To create a body of CUNY BA student representatives to assist the CUNY BA Student Leadership Council (SLC) in their communications with prospective students and contribute to CUNY BA recruitment strategies.
To increase literacy about the CUNY BA program among current and prospective students.
To promote leadership and service opportunities for current CUNY BA students through their experience as a resource to prospective students.
To facilitate avenues of communication centered on student perspectives and promote community building among current and prospective CUNY BA students.

How to become a Student Ambassador?

Student Ambassadors are a body of current CUNY BA students. Students who are interested in participating in the program must complete an online application form. Applications are circulated by the CUNY BA SLC and open at the beginning of each semester. The CUNY BA SLC is also in charge of reviewing these applications, as well as selecting new Student Ambassadors and notifying applicants of their decision.

Criteria:

To be a matriculated CUNY BA student.
To have completed at least one semester as a CUNY BA student.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Exceptions can be made if a CUNY BA academic advisor can vouch for the student.
Committing to at least one semester as a Student Ambassador.
Past community involvement and leadership experience are preferred but not required.

Student Ambassadors’ responsibilities:

Attending a brief training session facilitated by the CUNY BA SLC.
Attending in-person campus recruitment events–such as admissions fairs, to answer questions and interact with CUNY students who are interested in applying to the CUNY BA program.
Develop positive and professional relationships with prospective students, be it remotely–primarily via email–or in person.
Collaborate with the SLC, as well as CUNY BA staff and Doctoral Fellows, to participate and contribute to CUNY BA programming.

Program benefits:

The Student Ambassadors’ program fulfills the service requirement of Smith Fellows.
Student Ambassadors automatically qualify to run for a leadership role (e-board) on the Student Leadership Council, as they are exempt from the general requirement of attending at least three SLC meetings to be eligible.
Being a part of the program provides verifiable leadership and professional experience to include in résumés, as well as graduate, internship, and job applications.
Meet and engage with fellow CUNY BA students and alumni, virtually and in person.
Become involved in the CUNY BA community in a more meaningful way.

CUNY BA Student Leadership Council

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) is the sole, student-led organization within CUNY BA.

The SLC is committed to:

Providing students with the knowledge, support, and resources to lead successful lives;
Advancing the program’s local and national presence as a leader in individualized study;
Promoting student engagement within the program and across the university; and
Strengthening professional relations between students, administration, and alumni.

The SLC holds bi-weekly meetings – open to all members of the CUNY BA community – on Tuesdays 7:00 PM. Spring 2026 Meeting Dates: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21 and 5/5.

Join Bi-Weekly SLC Meeting via Zoom

Join Us on LinkedIn

Executive Board | 2025-26

Aaron Kim, Chairman, is a junior in the CUNY BA program. He began his
journey with the CUNY BA program since freshman year and has been part
of the SLC since the start of that journey. His focus of study is
within philosophy, psychology, with a focus on mortality. He is also
an active member within the philosophy club at CCNY.

Ekaterini Dupi, Secretary, is a CUNY BA senior studying Consciousness
and Justice, a self-designed program combining philosophy and
political science. She is currently the Secretary for the SLC. She has
been working in social justice Orgs for almost a year, furthuring her
knowledge in becoming a labor organizer. Her home college is City
College of New York.

Finley Nguyen, Alumni Relations, is a sophomore in CUNY BA with a
concentration titled Developing Technologies in Music Administration.
He studies the intersection between computer science, music, and
business, focusing on applications to the live music industry. Finley
is currently the President of Macaulay Queer Alliance and a seasonal
Production Assistant at Voices of Ascension. His home campus is Hunter
College.

Raneem Abdelghafar, Media & Communications

Portrait photo of Karina Fernandez Saito

My name is Karina Fernandez-Saito, and I am the Director of Event
Planning of CUNY SLC. My home college is Brooklyn College through
Macaulay Honors College, which I will be graduating from in spring
2026. With the CUNY-BA program, my area of concentration is Ethics in
Cognitive Health. Deciding to become a CUNY-BA student was not an easy
task, however, my ongoing research project with the Mellon Mays
Fellowship gave me the confidence to strive for new opportunities in
academia.

Past Executive Boards of the Student Leadership Council

And Many Other Opportunities!

2026 CUNY BA Student Showcase Study Abroad Information for Student Veterans

2026 CUNY BA Student Showcase

The Seventh Annual CUNY BA Student Showcase

The CUNY Graduate Center

May 5, 2026 at 5PM

William P. Kelly Skylight Room

If you can't join us in person, please join us virtually on Zoom.

Order of Events

Opening Remarks, 5 PM

Jody Clark Vaisman, Academic Director of CUNY BA

Andrew Acevedo (John Jay College), CUNY BA student and Master of Ceremony
Area of Concentration: Multimedia Storytelling
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Ashley Velez, English, John Jay College

Presentations, 5:10 PM

“Better Safe than Sorry”: Racialized and Queer Family Policing through Mandatory Reporting

Kilhah St Fort (Lehman College)
Area of Concentration: Science, Technology, and Society
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Larry Au, Sociology, City College

Burdens of Latina Dementia Caregiving

Karina Fernandez-Saito (Brooklyn College)
Area of Concentration: Ethics in Health and Culture
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Patricia Antoniello, Anthropology, Brooklyn College

Helldivers 2 and the Unity of an Online Community

Du Lam (Hunter College)
Area of Concentration: Game Narrative
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Nicholas Fortugno, Gaming Pathways, City College

Break Bread

Leah Aguirre (Baruch College)
Area of Concentration 1: Emerging Technology and Storytelling in Design
Area of Concentration 2: Music Production and Performance
Faculty Mentor:

INTERMISSION

Please explore the work of our gallerists, listed below, during intermission:

InsightFlow AI: Transforming Fragmented Business Data into Decision-Ready Systems

Raneem Abdelghafar (John Jay College)
Area of Concentration: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Myles Bassell, Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship, Brooklyn College

Exquisite Humans

Glenn De La Cruz (Hunter College)
Area of Concentration: Art, Religion and Cultural Narratives
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Wendy Raver, Religion, Hunter College

Shrike: Performance turned Exploitation turned Rebellion

Cherry Leung (Baruch College)
Area of Concentration 1: Asian-American, LGBTQIA:
Mentor: Prof. Ramdass, English, Baruch College.
Area of Concentration 2: Psychopathology and Neuro
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Sitt, Psychology, Baruch College

Quantitative approach to martial arts: Combining pose estimation with behavioral annotations to analyze size mismatch effects in judo matches

Ken Pardo Torrijos (City College)
Area of Concentration: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jon Horvitz, Psychology, City College

Presentations and Q&A (continued)

Just Jesting: Women Aren't Funny (But Their Doctors Are)

Madeline Scrace (Hunter College)
Area of Concentration: Being Bodied: Faith, Sex, and Narrative Agency
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Wendy Raver, Religion, Hunter College

Education as Ideological Outreach: Soviet Influence in Guyana

Ronique Prince-Adams (Brooklyn College)
Area of Concentration 1: Political Philosophy
Area of Concentration 2: Africana Studies
Faculty Mentor:

Reticulum and the World of Mesh Networking

Mati Wysocki (Hunter College)
Area of Concentration: Liberation-Centered Cybersecurity
Faculty Mentor: Prof. David Arnow, Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College

Black Art Is Enhancing Black Student Morale, Visibility and Community Through Student-Led Arts Initiatives

Zara Ali Cimone Scott (Hunter College)
Area of Concentration 1: Integrative Nutritional Planning
Area of Concentration 2: Studio Art: Mixed Media
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Nicole Kras, Human Services, Guttman Community College

Closing Remarks, 6:45 PM

2026 Presenters

A woman in a beige coat and green sweater standing in dappled sunlight in front of a glass door.

Raneem Abdelghafar

Raneem Abdelghafar is a student specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing, with a strong focus on leveraging data-driven systems to improve business performance and decision-making. Through hands-on experience across marketing, sales, and operations, she has worked with performance metrics, analytics, and cross-functional workflows to support growth and execution. Her featured project, InsightFlow AI, was developed to address a common challenge in organizations: fragmented and inconsistent data. The system is designed to clean, standardize, and structure raw Excel data into reliable, dashboard-ready outputs for tools such as Microsoft Power BI, enabling clearer insights and more effective decision-making. Raneem is particularly interested in the intersection of AI, data analytics, and digital strategy, and is focused on building systems that transform raw data into actionable business intelligence.

A man in a bowler hat and a black short sleeve t shirt standing with his arms crossed in front of a white background.

Andrew Acevedo

Andrew Acevedo is a sexagenarian alum of Prison-to-College Pathways, a graduating CUNY BA student with Bachelor of Science degrees in Multimedia Storytelling and Journalism, a Thomas W. Smith Fellow and a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. He appeared in the John Jay College of Criminal Justice stage productions of Antigone-in-Progress and The Lysistrata Project. The Music, Multimedia, Theatre and Dance Department of Lehman College recently selected his short screenplay, Time for Sage Advice? as a film project, and his videography of a formerly incarcerated student, “Capers in Community Justice” can be found on the website of The John Jay Sentinel.

Portrait photo of a woman with round eyeglasses and long hair against a yellow background

Leah Aguirre

Leah Aguirre is a multi-business founder who worked with companies including Rolls-Royce, the NYPD, and Jameson. She returned to school to learn the skills to start a socially impactful business and is currently studying Business & Behavioral Science and Virtual Reality Development She was selected for a Change Makers student leadership grant of $3K to organize a cross-cultural event and elected as a CUNY BA University Committee Student Board Member. She’s also the co-founder and President of KOL club. This summer, she’ll be working as a Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte.

Photo of a woman with a white button down shirt with blue vertical stripes against a grey background.

Glenn De La Cruz

Glenn De La Cruz is a CUNY BA student, studying art, religion, and cultural narratives. With a concentration in ceramics, their work explores how material practices reflect belief systems and storytelling.

Portrait photo of a woman with a white flower in her hair, leaning on her left elbow with her hand resting on her neck, against a brown brick background.

Karina Fernandez-Saito

Karina Fernandez-Saito (she/her) is a student of the 2026 class in the CUNY BA program, with her home campus being Brooklyn College. Through the CUNY BA program Karina was able to create an interdisciplinary degree, combining the sciences and humanities to design her major, Ethics in Culture and Health. The field of cognitive science influenced the trajectory of her major. Then branched into analyzing how cultural values and societal structures contribute to a person’s health and mind. Alongside building her major, Karina has conducted research examining the disproportionate responsibility of caregiving Latina women take on, and the burdens that result from assuming the role of dementia caregiving. Karina continues to broaden her knowledge about social injustices occurring throughout the world and hopes to devote her life to the well-being of marginalized groups.

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Du Lam

Du Lam is a Brooklyn-based game designer. He’s a soon-to-be Bachelor’s in Game Narrative in Hunter College under the CUNY Baccalaureate Program. He is also currently a part time SEEK peer mentor for 3 mentees in the SEEK program. Du has worked as a level designer, art project manager, and game designer on several game projects alongside his academic work. His showcase focuses on a game he frequently plays called Helldivers 2. In this, he’ll go over how Helldivers 2 impacts real world community and Unity.

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Cherry Leung

Cherry Leung is a senior at Macaulay Honors College, Baruch, with areas of concentration in Psychopathology and Neurodiversity, and “Queering Asians: Texts and Textures of othered identities,” the latter concerning intersections of Asian Studies, Gender Theory, and Literature. As a 2025 Critical Language Scholarship alumna for Japan and former environmental psychology researcher, she seeks not only to build connections through language and literature, but also to investigate how art is used to connect communities and rebuild post-environmental crises in East Asia. She hopes to explore how mental health strides have been made in East Asian countries and diaspora communities alike. Newly anointed as an opera enthusiast and student, her upcoming novel extracts from Breton folklore, the history of the Ballet and Opera, queer theory, psychoanalysis, theories of Orientalism, and the politics of performance. In the future, she plans to become a very good lyric soprano and attain a PhD in English Literature.

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Ronique Prince-Adams

Ronique Prince-Adams is a junior at Brooklyn College in the CUNY BA program and the SEEK program studying Law & Government and Africana studies. Her interests includes exploring African diasporic communities and their presence and involvement in international spaces. Currently, Ronique is conducting research on education as ideological outreach as a method to strengthen and spread communism in Guyana. After studying abroad in Ghana, she became increasingly interested in relearning the histories of exchanges among the African diaspora and the rest of the world.

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Zara Ali Cimone Scott

Zara Cimone is a multifaceted painter and interdisciplinary based in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Avondale, Arizona, Zara is a student leader and soon-to-be graduate from Hunter College where she will receive her CUNY BA degree in Studio Art: Mixed Media & Integrative Nutrition Psychology. Since moving to New York in late 2022, Zara has participated in over 60 gallery exhibitions, has sold several original and custom artworks, and has taught painting and crafting in a variety of professional environments. In addition, Zara has spent each February at Hunter College producing & curating student art showcases for Black History Month in order to amplify Black vitality, ingenuity and community. Zara approaches life with joy, curiosity and imagination, and she plans continue uplifting Black folk through her artistic practice and in future dynamic realms.

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Madeline Scrace

Madeline Scrace (aka Madge) is an Australian born, Brooklyn based interdisciplinary writer, artist, and filmmaker, currently studying to become a sex therapist. Her work primarily centers chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain; an arena that is grossly under-researched, underfunded, and under-represented in medicine, art, politics and beyond. She is the writer, creator, and lead actor of MASHED: an award-winning limited television series based on her personal experiences with vaginismus. Outside of film, Madge works in ceramics to create artistic and totemic representations of vaginal dilators, sex toys, and gynecological tools and continues to research and write both academically and personally about all things gynecology, kink, pelvic health, intimacy, and vaginal iconography in religion. Her most recent collection of personal essays explores her relationship to kink and psychotherapy through the embodied lens of vaginal pain, excerpts of which have been performed at Joe’s Pub in the Public Theater in New York City. 1 in 4 people with vaginas are affected by chronic vulvovaginal pain. By creating artistic and educational content, Madge cultivates shameless discourse about and advocacy for chronic pelvic pain and sexual liberation. Her hope is that her work appears when you or your friend are alone and googling: “sex is painful”, “my vagina is broken”, “tampons feel like hitting a brick wall”. Representation matters. Learning about our bodies matters. Better education and representation of our pain and shame is demanded.

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Kilhah St Fort

Kilhah St Fort (they/she) studies Data, Technology & Society, which is focused on examining the sociopolitical implications of big data and other emerging technologies. In addition to technology policy, other areas of interest include Black feminism, the criminal legal system, Caribbean history, and LGBTQ issues. For her senior capstone, she has been working on an analysis of how mandatory reporting functions as a surveillance apparatus for Black queer families. When they’re not working on their studies, Kilhah enjoys reading, crocheting, making jewelry, sketching, rewatching Bob’s Burgers, and doomscrolling on Twitter.

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Ken Pardo Torrijos

Ken Pardo Torrijos is a junior neuroscience student at The City College of New York, also enrolled at Queens College through CUNYBA. A South Bronx native and lifelong wrestler, he brings a credible relationship with combat sports to his research. His work uses behavioral coding software (BORIS), R studio, and several other computational methods to quantify strategic patterns in elite judo competition, analyzing behavioral transitions and movement sequences across several years for the All Men Japan Judo Championships. Ken is affiliated with CCNY’s URSIE, CCAPP program, supported by AMSNY, and serves as President of the CCNY Neuroscience Club.

Mati Wysocki

Mati Wysocki is finishing her degree in liberation centric cybersecurity. She wants to address the massive inequality of resources in who gets to be safe in our physical and digital landscape, and wants to challenge the militarization of the security field and collaborate with friends and neighbors on the margins to build a more private and equitable infrastructure while fighting for a world free of prisons, policing, and racial capitalism.

What is the CUNY BA Student Showcase?

This event allows current CUNY BA students to showcase their work to the CUNY community. CUNY BA students explore a wide range of research interests, and together, their works represent a mosaic rarely found at the undergraduate level.

This event is also an essential professional development experience. Student presenters receive helpful support and practice sessions in preparation for the Showcase. The Showcase is a platform for students to share their work and offers a greater sense of community across the CUNY BA program.

Check out the recordings from previous CUNY BA Student Showcases on the CUNY BA Youtube channel.

Study Abroad

International Education is a natural fit for many CUNY Baccalaureate students. Students should consult with their academic advisors as they begin the planning process and continue to work closely with their advisor to ensure that their plans for studying abroad are reasonable, that they are registered correctly and that their credits will be transferable. Any student studying abroad independently or on a non-CUNY program must work with CUNY Baccalaureate staff to ensure that they are in compliance with the CUNY International Travel Guidelines and that, as part of those requirements, they are appropriately insured and registered in the CUNY Travel Registry. Students must also ensure that their chosen destination is allowable under CUNY guidelines. There are a variety of scholarships available to support students in studying abroad. Ask your academic and study abroad advisors for more information. All students planning to study abroad are required to complete the CUNY BA Study Abroad Participation Form as soon as they have been accepted into a study abroad program; this is critical in ensuring that credits will be transferred and applied to your degree. If you have any questions about the process of studying abroad as a CUNY BA student, please contact Senior Academic Advisor and International Education Liaison, Kate McPherson.

CUNY International Travel Guidelines

CUNY Study Abroad Programs

CUNY BA Study Abroad Participation Form

Study Abroad Funding

Fulbright US Student Program

Kate McPherson

International Education Liaison and Senior Academic Advisor

Phone: (929) 260-4910

Email: kate.mcpherson04@cunyba.cuny.edu

Drop-in hours: Thursdays from 1-3 PM

Attend drop-in hours on Zoom: Click here

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Information for Student Veterans

Info for Student Veterans

CUNY BA is eager and proud to serve students who have served in the military. We find that the flexible nature of the program, including transfer evaluations of military credit and the individualized advising and mentoring relationships, makes CUNY BA a perfect fit for student veterans. Students enrolled in CUNY BA will remain eligible to receive the same VA Benefits that they would at any CUNY campus. This page is intended to serve as a resource for both students and administrators, providing guidance on how VA Benefits are to be processed for students in this program.

This memorandum is intended to provide instructions on processing VA Benefits for Veterans in the CUNY BA program.

Any CUNY BA student who is eligible for VA benefits must apply for benefits through the Graduate Center
- Students who receive VA Benefits who are enrolled in CUNY BA will be responsible for identifying themselves to Kate McPherson
- The colleges should advise these students of this procedure
- CUNY BA students already receiving VA Benefits will be required to change their place of training to The Graduate Center
- Students will be required to submit a copy of their certificate of eligibility to CUNY BA
CUNYBA Certifying Officer (Kate McPherson) sends a parent letter to the Certifying Officer at the campus where the courses are taken (the student’s ‘home college’ of record in CUNYBA).
The campus certifies the student and indicates GUEST on the VA-ONCE certification form.