Graduate Awards Ceremony 2025
Over 200 diverse awards were given at the Graduate Awards Ceremony last May to members of the Class of 2025. Some were recognized for achieving their associate’s degree with honors. Additionally, over 30 of the graduates received special recognition for outstanding achievemen in their major field of study.
A third group received Certificates of Achievement, and the ceremony included Early College high school students who earned college credits in high school and received their associate’s degree in PCCC’s 53rd Commencement and their high school diploma last June.
Family and friends, along with PCCC faculty, administrators, and other members of the College community, gathered in the PCCC Gym on the Main Campus in Paterson for the ceremony honoring academic excellence.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Steven Rose, President of PCCC, said to the graduates “If you’re here tonight, you sure did something right,” acknowledging the hard work and intense studying of the award recipients. “You should be very proud of yourselves and your families should be very proud of you. Congratulations.”
Dr. Jacqueline Kineavy, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, explained that students who earned a GPA (grade point average) between 3.50-3.69 will graduate with Honors. Those with a 3.70-3.89 GPA receive High Honors, and graduates with a 3.90-4.0 GPA merit the Highest Honors status.
The Class of 2025 included 25 graduates with Highest Honors, five of whom were named co-valedictorians, 48 with High Honors, and 92 with Honors.
Dr. Kineavy also noted that a Certificate of Achievement designates a program that meets community needs as “special-purpose training programs toward immediate employment.”.
Names were read by Dr. N. Leigh Boyd, assistant professor of psychology, as the student honorees approached the dais to receive their awards.
Professors from the various academic departments presented the awards given for outstanding achievement in their department while also highlighting why the student recipients merited the recognition.
Aziza Fatah, recipient of the English Language Studies Graduate Achievement Award with Dr. Bassel Stassis and Professor Gaby Rinkerman.
A particularly inspiring story was that of Aziza Fatah, recipient of the English Language Studies Graduate Achievement Award. Dr. Bassel Stassis, senior dean for academic affairs, introduced the presentation by acknowledging the challenge of not only learning, but also excelling in a second language. Dr. Stassis then called Professor Gaby Rinkerman to the podium to present the award and share Aziza’s story.
Originally from Morocco, Aziza came to the U.S. in search of a better life. She enrolled in PCCC’s ELS classes, but with the demands of job and family, had to pause her education at times. “But Aziza never gave up on her dreams,” said Professor Rinkerman. She graduated with a 3.75 GPA and will transfer to William Paterson University to pursue her goal of becoming a special education teacher.
Among the other Graduate Achievement Award recipients are an aspiring aerospace engineer, medical doctor, poet/novelist/educator, and more, including Germaliz Dominguez, a mother of three daughters who received a Pastry and Baking Arts achievement award and hopes to own her own bakery one day.
The Professor Robert A. Shea Memorial Graduate Achievement Award is awarded annually by the PCCC Faculty Association for both academic achievement and leadership at the College. Professor Fred Safarowic presented the Shea Award to three graduating students – Jadelyn Villa, Maria Posada, and Cristy Sarmiento – all of whom also received the Graduate Achievement Award in their major field.
Presenting the Shea Award to each of them, Professor Safarowic commended Jadelyn for her leadership as editor-in-chief of Visions, the student-run College newspaper.
He pointed out that Maria came to PCCC as a first-generation ESL student and went on to not only join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), but also become president of its Middle States Region, overseeing 75 chapters and establishing successful policies.
Also active in PTK, Cristy received the regional Distinguished Chapter Officer award and, in 2023, was recognized with the Rising Star award from the Governor’s Hispanic Fellowship Program.
Following is a complete list of all Graduate Achievement Awards given on May 19, 2025 and award recipients.
PASSAIC COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2025 Graduate Achievement Awards
Early Childhood/Teacher Education
Graduate Achievement Award
Michael J. Leschinsky
Early Childhood/Teacher Education
Graduate Achievement Award
Ayoosh B. Khalil
Early Childhood/Teacher Education
Graduate Achievement Award
Alexis Baca
English Department
Graduate Achievement Award
Jadelyn Villa
Biological & Physical Sciences Department
Graduate Achievement Award
Cristy D. Sarmiento
Biological & Physical Sciences Department
Graduate Achievement Award
Rashel Medina Lantigua
Business Administration
Graduate Achievement Award
Helga Haraszti
Business Administration
Graduate Achievement Award
Syeda T. Rayhan
Liberal Arts – Psychology
Outstanding Graduate Award
Jessica R. Philip
Liberal Arts – Sociology
Outstanding Graduate Award
Cammie L. Ho
Liberal Arts – Humanities
Outstanding Graduate Award
Francesca M. Penaloza Mendoza
Computer Information Technology – Web & Mobile Development
Graduate Achievement Award
Jonathan Rodriguez
Computer Information Technology – Network Administration
Graduate Achievement Award
Amilcar X. Angeles Perez
Computer Science
Graduate Achievement Award
Salem A. Nasereddin
Computer Science
Graduate Achievement Award
Jerett R. De Guzman
Engineering Science
Graduate Achievement Award
Stefan Shapllo
Electronic Engineering Technology
Graduate Achievement Award
Joshua Chary
Criminal Justice Academic Excellence
Graduate Achievement Award
Analisa C. Prowse
Criminal Justice Academic Excellence
Graduate Achievement Award
Motasim M. Bawwab
Digital Media
Graduate Achievement Award
Ayana English-James
Developmental Studies Persistence and Achievement
Graduate Achievement Award
Natalie G. Mejia
Human Services Pre-Social Work & Counseling Academic Excellence
Graduate Achievement Award
Maria T. Perez
Human Services Program
Academic Excellence & Commitment to Service
Graduate Achievement Award
David D. Martin
Graphic Design
Graduate Achievement Award
Jennah W. Jamhour
English Language Studies
Graduate Achievement Award
Aziza Fatah
Studio Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Rhiannon J. Corbo
Culinary Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Kayla Beco
Pastry and Baking Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Esmeralda Cazarez
Pastry and Baking Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Germaliz Dominguez
Pastry and Baking Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Lissette Rios
Pastry and Baking Arts
Graduate Achievement Award
Jenna L. Caboara
Professor Robert A. Shea Memorial
Graduate Achievement Award
Jadelyn A. Villa
Professor Robert A. Shea Memorial
Graduate Achievement Award
Maria A. Posada
Professor Robert A. Shea Memorial
Graduate Achievement Award
Cristy D. Sarmiento
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