More than 400 guests gathered at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park on Thursday, May 1 to celebrate Queensborough Community College’s 2025 Partners for Progress Gala, an annual fundraising event that highlights the college’s commitment to student success and honors distinguished partners in health care and community advancement.
The gala, hosted by the Queensborough Community College Fund, Inc., recognized two honorees: Michael X. Mattone, CEO of Mattone Investors LLC, as Community Partner of the Year, and Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, president and CEO of Urban Health Plan, as Healthcare Partner. Both were praised for their contributions to the borough and for uplifting underserved communities through advocacy, investment, and access to essential services.
“Your presence here tonight is more than just symbolic,” said Dr. Christine Mangino, president of Queensborough Community College. “When you choose to invest in our students, you’re not just easing a financial burden; you’re opening doors.”
The event also featured personal stories from Queensborough students, whose experiences demonstrated the power of education and support. Jake Jacobo, who is pursuing a nursing degree, shared his excitement about a summer externship at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Juliette Mejia, a graduating student in the Music Production Program, spoke about her aspirations to become a sound engineer and her recent networking trip to the National Association of Music Merchants Show in California.
A longtime supporter of the college, Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur, chief medical officer at Mount Sinai and NYC Health + Hospitals, was also recognized for her leadership and service. A member of the QCC Fund Board, she previously chaired the gala and was honored virtually in 2021 for her dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds raised from the event will support initiatives that improve student retention and graduation rates, bolster faculty development and sustain vital campus resources such as the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives, the QCC Art Gallery and the Queensborough Performing Arts Center.
Queensborough Community College, located in Bayside, has been ranked the top community college in New York State by WalletHub for six consecutive years. In 2024, it was also named one of the best in the nation by Intelligent.com and ranked No. 2 in New York by Niche.
The gala celebrated not only donors and honorees but also the transformative impact that community support and public education continue to have on Queens and beyond.
