Summer 2020

Meet Our Team

Eva Fernandez. Associate Provost for Innovation & Student Success. CSSI Team – Site Lead
Michael Joseph. CSSI Staff – Technical Advisor
Robert Hintze. CSSI Staff – Technical Advisor
Stelios Phanartzis. CSSI Staff – Teaching Assistant.
Hema Muni. CSSI Staff – Teaching Assistant
Sayashmini Madhow. CSSI Staff – Cohort Advisor.

Meet Cohort 3

Tommy Benitez

Name: Tommy Benitez

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I’m a black belt in TaeKwonDo

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve” – JK Rowling

Complete the sentence: I code for a safer and brighter future 

Leona Torres

Katelyn Rose Villacres “Kit-Kat” or “Kate”

Name: Katelyn Rose Villacres “Kit-Kat” or “Kate” – Macaulay Honors

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I’m a ballgirl at the US Open Tennis Championship.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Complete the sentence: I code for the future! 

Alexandra Chavez

Name: Alexandra Chavez

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I can play the piano.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: You only live once, so make the most of it.

Complete the sentence: I code for change and a better future.

Juan Cruz Ladino

Name: Juan Cruz Ladino

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I practice soccer and Track & Field. I moved to the country 3 years ago.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “Determination is better than talent”

Aaron Lew

Name: Aaron Lew – Macaulay Honors

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I am a former spelling bee champion.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “If I am not for myself, who will be there for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” -Hillel the Elder

I code for innovation.

Samihah Tahsin

Name: Samihah Tahsin – Macaulay Honors

Intended Major: BS in CS

Fun Fact: I can memorize power rangers openings within 2 episodes

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one. – Doc Brown

Complete the sentence: I code to… create things that my nephew can enjoy

Sumaya Ali

Name: Sumaya Ali – SEEK

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: My hidden talent is Dancing and I love to cook different dishes from different countries.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Every ending is beautiful like the Sunset.

Complete the sentence: I code for expanding technology to everywhere and everyone. Also make an app where everyone and every age of people can learn Coding for free!

Sadman Saquib

Name: Sadman Saquib

Intended Major: Computer Science BS

Fun Fact: I know how to read and speak Arabic, however, I don’t know what it means.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Live the life your younger self would be proud of.

Complete the sentence: I code for a better world where technology continues to provide us with advancements in healthcare, society, and relationships.

Armando Gomez

Name: Armando Gomez

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I deeply enjoy running/jogging and hope to one day participate in a marathon.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “You can’t always get what you want but you just might find that you get what you need”

Complete the sentence: I code for my personal enjoyment as well as to improve the environment around me, whether that means creating something entertaining or something that can improve people’s lives.

Tamar Hoch

Name: Tamar Hoch – QC Scholars

Intended Major: Psychology

Fun Fact: I was the student director of my school’s plays in junior and senior year

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Carpe diem

Complete the sentence: I code for women in STEM 🙂

Michelle Ginsberg

Rachel

Jacqueline Ramos "Jackie"

Name: Jacqueline Ramos “Jackie” – Kessler

Intended major: Childhood Education

Fun Fact: I love watching anime. My favorite so far is My Hero Academia.

Personal Quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” by Master Oogway

Complete the sentence: I code for gaining a new skill.

Jahnai Grant

Name: Jahnai Grant – Time 2000

Intended Major: Double major in Mathematics and Secondary Education

Fun Fact: I play the violin, guitar, ukulele, and I can sing.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “the beginning of purpose is found in creating something that only you understand”- Tyler Joseph

Complete the sentence: I code for……evolving the world into a better place.

Matteo Saputo

Name: Matteo Saputo

Intended Major: Double Major, Computer Science/Math

Fun Fact: I coded for the robotics team at William Floyd High School

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house”

Complete the sentence: I code for a bright future!

Sarvan Singh

Name: Sarvan Singh

Intended Major: Computer Science BS

Fun Fact: I can speak 3 languages

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Change impossible to possible.

Complete the sentence: I code for innovation and to make lives easier.

Aysha Mukhtar

Name: Aysha Mukhtar

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I played volleyball all four years of high school.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: Compare yourself to the old you, not the person next to you. Everyone has different journeys.

Complete the sentence: I code for there to be a change for the better. I like using technology to create solutions for the issues in today’s world.

Justin Manoj

Name: Justin Manoj

Intended Major: Computer Science (BS)

Fun Fact: I literally love playing the piano!! I began playing when I was 8 years old. I try to help the community by playing for my church choir.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra:“The Way Get Started Is To Quit Talking And Begin Doing.” – Walt Disney

Brian Flores

Leora Khaimov

Name: Leora Khaimov – QC Scholars

Intended Major: Computer Science BS

Fun Fact: I play the piano

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: everything happens for a reason

Complete the sentence: I code for a safer world.

Vikram Kumar

Name: Vikram Kumar

Intended Major: Computer Science

Fun Fact: I have water phobia but I want to do scuba diving once in my lifetime.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “Don’t settle for the limits that people setcfor you. Your hard work decides your life, not their opinions.”

Complete the sentence: I code for public health and education.

Muhammad Umair

Name: Muhammad Umair

Intended Major: BS in Computer Science

Fun Fact: I speak 4 languages

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”- Oscar Wilde

Complete the sentence: I code to make my dreams controllable with the keyboard

Mahfuz Rahim

Name: Mahfuz Rahim – SEEK Program

Intended Major at QC: Computer Science

Fun Fact: Love to play basketball during my free time.

Personal Quote/Life Mantra: “Don’t be bashful”

Complete the sentence: I code for fun and creating new games.

Johnathan

Zhicheng

Matthew