8:30 AM: Breakfast at Rooms 1306/1307 at Fiterman Hall, BMCC
9:15 AM to 11:45 AM: Academic Experience Agenda
9:15 AM: Welcome Remarks by Mr. José Altamirano, Associate Director of Admissions, Operations and Processing, BMCC
9:30 AM: Institutional Presentations:
- Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY by Mr. Ryan Neary, Associate Director of Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach
- Kingsborough Community College, CUNY by Chef Anthony Marzuillo, Culinary Arts Program Director
- University at Albany, SUNY by Mr. Dale L. Gaubatz, Associate Vice President & Chief Enrollment Officer Vice President’s Office for Student Affairs and Enrollment
- New Jersey City University by Dr. Kristina Harb, Associate Director, Learning Commons
10:30 AM: Student Presentations:
Presentation I (10:30 to 10:45 AM) (Recording will be available soon)
Presenter: Oussama Ait Daoud from Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY
Project: Google Document Tabs: Organize your assignments & deadlines for academic success
Description of the project: This project focuses on how I used Google Docs, specifically the Document Tabs feature, to build a personalized digital organization system that supports my academic success. As a second-language English speaker, managing multiple assignments and deadlines was overwhelming during my first semester. Initially, I used notebooks and post-its, but they became difficult to track. After discovering Document Tabs, I created a single Google Doc divided into sections such as “Weekly Assignments,” “Upcoming Deadlines,” and “Completed Tasks,” with due dates clearly marked throughout. The impact has been significant. Since using this system, I have never missed a deadline or submitted an assignment late. I also keep all my past documents, which allows me to quickly review my progress and prepare for exams or future assignments. This has made me feel more prepared, less anxious, and more in control of my academic work. For example, during midterms, I was able to look back at everything I had submitted, track feedback, and study more effectively.
Biography: Oussama Ait Daoud is a Computer Science student at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). Originally from Casablanca, Morocco, he moved to New York in 2021 to pursue his dream of studying in the U.S. and expanding his academic and career opportunities. He currently works as an enrollment coach at Panther Station at BMCC, where he supports students through the enrollment process and helps them navigate college life successfully. He is a BMCC Foundation Inc. Scholarship recipient, a Dean’s List student, and a member at Conexiones Connections Community.
Presentation II (10:45 to 11:00 AM) (Recording will be available soon)
Presenter: Breanna Mejia from University at Albany, SUNY
Project: Navigating Campus: A Bilingual Welcome Guide to Empower Incoming Students
Description of the project: Transitioning into college is especially difficult for first-generation, Spanish-speaking, and international students. As a Tour Guide, Orientation Leader, and Peer Advisor, I’ve developed a bilingual, student-led welcome guide to support new students navigating UAlbany. The guide is simple, digital, and mobile-friendly.
● A bilingual glossary of common campus terms (e.g., “registrar,” “meal plan”)
● Orientation and move-in checklists
● Step-by-step guides on using campus services
● Peer advice: “What I wish I knew as a freshman”
● QR code access in both Spanish and English
Biography: I am a rising Junior at the University at Albany (Class of 2028). My student leader positions include tour guide, orientation leader, group fitness instructor, and peer advisor. I am passionate about student support and campus inclusion. As a bilingual student who understands the challenges of navigating college systems, I’m committed to helping new students, especially those from Spanish-speaking or first-generation backgrounds, feel confident and connected from day one.
Presentation III (11:00 to 11:15 AM) (Recording will be available soon)
Presenter: Yaqueline E. Gutierrez from University of Houston-Downtown
Project: The Role of Tfam in Mitochondrial Metabolism During Retinogenesis
Description of the project: My project focused on exploration of the role of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) in mitochondrial metabolism during retinal development. Before exploring its functional role in the development of the retina, it was essential to determine whether Tfam was expressed in the retina. To accomplish this, I learned and applied several key lab techniques which include cryo-sectioning, immunostaining, and microscopy analysis. These skills enabled me to visualize Tfam expression in retinal tissue, allowed me to quantify the data, and present in detailed graphs. The expression of Tfam brought insight to the spatial temporal patterns in metabolism. Throughout the project, I gained valuable technical laboratory skills and the importance of working alongside a team to effectively communicate and achieve experimental results. In addition, I gained deeper understanding of the logical stages in research building as the confirmation of expression before exploring the function allowed for the next-steps in our research to be well-informed.
Biography: Yaqueline E Gutierrez is a senior receiving their Bachelor degree in Biology at the University of Houston-Downtown on May 2025. She is an aspiring physician. Her research focuses on mitochondrial metabolism during retinal development, and she recently earned 1st place in the Cell and Molecular Poster Category at the 128th Texas Academy of Science Meeting in February. In addition to her research, she has hands-on experience in clinical outreach through internships with the American Heart Association and medical school preparation with the I Am Abel Foundation. She is passionate about addressing health disparities in underserved communities.
Presentation IV (11:15 to 11:30 AM) (Recording will be available soon)
Presenter: Samantha Jaipersaud from New Jersey City University
Project: Tech-Driven Advocacy: How Digital Tools Shaped My Internship and Student Leadership
Description of the project: My project “Tech-Driven Advocacy: How Digital Tools Shaped My Internship Research, Campus Engagement, and Student Leadership” highlights how I used digital tools to support my internship research on New Jersey’s justice gap. I organized legal data, collaborated closely with mentors, and used digital platforms to turn complex legal findings into accessible, student-centered materials. I was grateful for the opportunity to present this work at NJCU’s Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, where I received recognition for Outstanding Research Presentation. Outside of the internship, I applied these same tools to my role as Public Relations Manager for the NJCU Dreamers Club: a student organization that supports immigrant, undocumented, and mixed-status students. One post I created through our Instagram account led a student to reach out, and I was able to help connect them with free legal support. Experiences like this have shown me how technology can be a bridge between research, advocacy, and real student impact.
Biography: Samantha Jaipersaud is a senior at New Jersey City University majoring in Philosophy with minors in Pre-Law and Political Science. She has a strong passion for law, advocacy, and civic engagement. Sam has served as President of NJCU’s Mock Trial Team, participated in Model UN, and interned on research addressing New Jersey’s justice gap. She also serves as the Public Relations Manager for the NJCU Dreamers Club, where she leads digital advocacy efforts. Sam is committed to using technology as a tool for social impact, outreach, and equity in higher education.
Presentation V (11:30 to 11:45 AM) (Recording will be available soon)
Presenters: Melissa Saldana Munguia & Jeidi Fajardo from California State University San Bernardino
Project: Let’s Connect!
Description of the project: Discussing myCoyote, how everything is at the tip of our fingers! Not only does it have most apps we use in our daily student life, it allows us to find ways to connect with resources on campus! One of those ways being CoyoteConnection! Where clubs and organizations promote their events and info to RSVP! Utilizing this has helped create a smooth network for students to hear about events and get the information they need about each event! You can open it an immediately see what you can participate in that same day or weeks to come! We learned how important it is to have information listed that draws students! Giving them dates, locations and times are crucial especially in college life.
Biographies: My name is Melissa Saldana Munguia! This was my first year at CSUSB, going into my second! I am a first-gen transfer student, a representative in Associated Students Inc., a College Corps Fellow and a Student Assistant in the Office of Giving.
Hello! My name is Jeidi Carrion-Fajardo, and I’m a proud fifth-year Latinx nursing student at CSUSB. Currently, I serve as the president of the Coyote Student Nurses, where I work to empower my peers and promote leadership in nursing. In addition, I’m an ASI Clubs and Organizations representative, recently re-elected for a second term. I’m excited to share my journey and insights with you today and really emphasize how important tools like Coyote Connection are for student engagement on campus!