For Immediate Release
May 9, 2024

Suffolk County Community College Set to Graduate 3,100 Students

Suffolk County Community College will celebrate its Class of 2024 at two ceremonies taking place on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Students were given an option to attend either a 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. ceremony in the Suffolk Credit Union Arena on the college’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood.

College President, Dr. Edward T. Bonahue, will preside over the ceremonies. “As our graduates prepare to complete their journey through Suffolk, I know they are well prepared for their next steps. Graduation marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. We can now look forward to hearing about the many positive ways in which our newest alumni are able to impact their communities and advance the efforts of their employers.”

Suffolk County Community College Graduation by the Numbers:

• January 2024 graduates – 861 (794 associate degrees, 67 one-year certificates)
• May 2024 graduates – 2,070 (1,994 associate degrees, 76 one-year certificates)
• August 2024 graduates (applied to graduate) – 261 (260 associate degrees, 1 one-year certificate)
• Class of 2024 Total: 3,192
• Approximately 600 graduates are expected to walk at each ceremony

10 a.m. Ceremony-Student Speakers

Shakya Jeudy (Eastern Campus)
Shakya Jeudy is a Business Administration major, who was born in Haiti and now lives in Riverhead. While enrolled at Suffolk, she has consistently earned Dean's List recognition, and her academic achievements include participation in the Honors Program, as well as Alpha Beta Gamma, a business honor society, and Phi Theta Kappa, where she most recently served as Vice President of Scholarship for the Eastern Campus chapter. A recipient of the College Foundation’s Presidential Scholarship, she now plans to study Business Administration, specializing in Marketing, at Stony Brook University.

Joseph Gonzalez (Michael J. Grant Campus)
Joseph Gonzalez was selected as one of only 61 students nationwide, to receive a 2024 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship from The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. It is the largest private scholarship awarded to community college transfer students in the country. He has also been named New York State’s only 2024 New Century Transfer Scholar, in recognition of his academic accomplishments and leadership. Joseph is also the recipient of the prestigious David R. Pierce Scholarship, presented to a scholar selected from among the year’s Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team. As the recipient, Joseph was the featured national speaker at the American Association of Community College's Annual Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. A Liberal Arts-History major from West Babylon, Joseph held key student leadership positions including PTK Chapter President, President of Student Veterans of America, Honors Club President, and History Club Vice President. He is a Get There From Here scholar, and an EOP tutor. Joseph is a veteran of both the US Army and the US Marine Corps. He has been accepted into both Columbia and Princeton and plans to study history.

Arshiyan Khan (Ammerman Campus)
Arshiyan Khan, a Business Administration major and an Honors Program scholar, was selected as the Ammerman Campus Student of the Year. Arshiyan has held several prominent leadership roles on campus, including President of the Business and Accounting Club, Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, and Treasurer of the Student Government Association. In addition, he has been recognized with a number of state and national awards, including selection as a gold scholar for the 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team, the PTK Community College All-New York State Academic Team, and a SUNY Chancellor’s Award. An outstanding student, Arshiyan is a multiple scholarship recipient, including his selection as a Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholar and a Get There From Here Scholar. He was actively involved in the Rotaract Community Service Club and dedicated significant time both as an orientation leader and as a regular volunteer at the Ammerman Campus Food Pantry. Following graduation, he plans to attend Columbia University, where he will continue his studies in Economics.

2 p.m. Ceremony-Student Speakers

Ali Jedlicka, (Eastern Campus)
Ali Jedlicka, is a Liberal Arts-Psychology major from East Quogue.  She has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition over the course of the past two years. In addition, she has been recognized with a number of state and national awards, including selection as a member of the 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team, the PTK Community College All-New York State Academic Team, and a SUNY Chancellor’s Award. As Vice President of Scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa's Alpha Eta Psi Chapter, she was a keynote speaker at the fall 2023 Induction Ceremony. Ali is also a dedicated Peer Mentor and Honors program scholar. Beyond academics, she serves as the Art & Mindfulness Director at Sportime Summer Camp in Quogue and loves working with kids. She currently attends St. Joseph’s University, where she is studying psychology with a minor in mindfulness and contemplative studies.

Ava Belle Berglund (Michael J. Grant Campus)
Ava Belle Berglund, is a Liberal Arts General Studies major from Islandia. She is a first-generation student, who is attending Stony Brook University as a History major through Suffolk’s Joint Admissions program. After graduation, she would like to become a History professor. Ava has been actively involved with the Michael J. Grant Campus’ Watch Your Step: Dance Company, including serving as Treasurer for two semesters and leading a fundraising effort to secure tap boards for the dancers interested in bringing tap onto campus. In recognition of her efforts, the Dance Company presented her with its Outstanding Service Award. Ava has also served as Stage Manager for the campus Performing Arts program.

Judith Quiroga-Nugra (Ammerman Campus)
Judith Quiroga-Nugra, is a Liberal Arts General Studies major from Alicante, Spain. She has consistently earned Dean’s List Recognition over the course of the past two years. Examples of her demonstrated leadership skills include her role as President of the Ammerman Campus Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In addition, she has generously shared her Suffolk knowledge and experience in her capacity as a Peer Mentor, directing new students and leading campus tours. An Honors Program scholar, she has also served as an orientation leader, helping the college to welcome over 1,500 new, incoming students. A Get There From Here Scholar, Judith also found time to serve our community beyond her academic and leadership commitments, as a regular volunteer at the Campus Food Pantry. She will begin her studies this summer at Stony Brook University’s Clinical Laboratory Sciences program, in the School of Health Professions.

 About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling approximately 21,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead. Suffolk offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, as well as a variety of certificate programs. Offering affordable college tuition, a highly respected Honors program, workforce training programs, extensive extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer programs, Suffolk is a first-choice college for Long Island students. Visit us online at sunysuffolk.edu.

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