Queens College Foundation provides millions in emergency funding

Zaire Couloute
Zaire Couloute is president of the Queens College Student Association.

The Queens College Foundation has allocated $2.75 million in support of need-based scholarships, the college’s student food pantry and tech internships.

The one-time infusion of funds will help students facing difficult financial circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Retention Incentive Supporting Excellence (RISE) program will provide support to students who are unable to meet the costs of higher education. RISE scholarships will be given out for spring, summer and fall of 2021.

The funding will also be used for the Knights Table Food Pantry, which reduces food insecurity among Queens College and CUNY students.

“This most timely action will allow our dedicated undergraduate students to pursue their higher education, advance toward graduation and fully participate in the economic recovery of our city and state,” said Queens College President Frank Wu. “We are profoundly appreciative.”

“As the pandemic continues, Queens College students are facing many difficulties as they work toward completing their education,” added Student Association President Zaire Couloute. “I know I speak for everyone when I thank the Queens College Foundation for this generous initiative to help students stay in school and to keep many of us from going hungry.”

 

 

Rozic endorses Linda Lee for City Council

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City Council candidate Linda Lee has been endorsed by a prominent lawmaker who has represented Fresh Meadows for years.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic is backing Lee’s bid for District 23 in eastern Queens, including neighborhoods like Queens Village, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck, Hollis, Glen Oaks, Fresh Meadows, Douglaston and Bellerose.

“Linda’s decades of volunteerism and experience delivering social services has prepared her for this moment,” Rozic said, “and I’m excited to join her in the work ahead uplifting our neighbors across Queens.”

Lee, an 11-year Oakland Gardens resident and New York native, is a member of Community Board 11, the School Leadership Team (SLT) at her son’s school and is president and CEO of Korean Community Services (KCS) of Metropolitan New York.

She is the mother of two young children and the daughter of immigrant small business owners.

Rozic is the first elected official to endorse Lee’s candidacy.

Other candidates in the race include lawyer Steve Behar, DSA and WFP-endorsed activist Jaslin Kaur and CB2 district manager Debra Markell.