Queensborough Community College’s (QCC) Partners for Progress Gala, held on May 16 at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, celebrated notable achievements and raised funds to support the diverse needs of its students.
The event recognized key figures in healthcare, community engagement and the arts. This year’s honorees included Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and CEO of MetroPlusHealth, and Dr. Ash Tewari, Chair of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, both lauded for their contributions to health and education. The gala also honored Marlene Tseng Yu, founder of the Rainforest Art Foundation, acknowledging her ongoing commitment to integrating art with environmental consciousness.
Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College, highlighted the hurdles faced by students, noting that “85% of our students with a tuition balance of just $500 to $1,000 drop out before achieving their degree.” She emphasized the critical nature of the fundraiser, which helps provide educational technology, travel expenses, textbooks and other essential resources.
The theme of the evening, “access to unexpected possibilities,” underscored the gala’s goal of opening doors for students who face numerous challenges. A surprise award was presented by Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals to Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur, chief medical officer at Elmhurst Hospital, for her exceptional involvement with QCC.
Davia Willis, a criminal justice major and president of the student government association at QCC, shared her personal journey as an immigrant from Jamaica, looking forward to continuing her education at John Jay College. Willis expressed deep appreciation for the community at Queensborough, stating, “I will carry Queensborough with me always. Everyone here has had such a wonderful impact on my life.”
Dr. Talya Schwartz reminisced about her own experiences as an immigrant 25 years ago, underscoring the gala’s mission: “What this evening is all about, it’s about giving other people opportunities that may change their lives forever.”
Honoree Dr. Ash Tewari gave a message to the students: “These so-called shortcomings, so-called obstacles are not real obstacles. Just pause, figure it out, push it through and the sky is the limit for you.”
*Additional reporting by Paul Frangipane
