
October 31, 2024
On October 30, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) welcomed a new cohort of 18 Out in Two scholars with a ceremony in the Fiterman Conference Center in BMCC’s Fiterman Hall.
Out in Two is a scholarship program unique to BMCC, having been founded by former BMCC President Antonio Pérez. The program creates a supportive community designed to help each scholar graduate from BMCC within two years and transfer to a senior college.
Other benefits include a book stipend, MetroCard, dedicated academic advisor and a scholarship up to $1,600. Among other criteria, eligible students are first-time freshmen at the time of enrolling at BMCC, with at least 12 credits earned in their first semester.
Education is a powerful tool.

At the October 30 event, Out in Two Program Coordinator Maria Ramirez welcomed the audience.
“The Out in Two program is more than just a scholarship; it’s a supportive community that helps students accelerate their studies, empowering them to achieve their goals and pursue meaningful change,” she said. “Each scholar’s commitment to their education and service underscores the power of community support and resilience.”
The guest speakers were Dr. Liesl B. Jones, Associate Provost, and Dr. Sanjay Ramdath, Vice President of Enrollment Management.
Provost Jones shared her own family’s story; her mother, the daughter of immigrants and first in her family to attend college, and her father, the son of migrant farmers.
Scholarships enabled them to meet on the campus of Penn State — “and now the Out in Two scholarship will allow you to create your own story, moving forward” she told the scholars. “Education is an incredible tool, and will give you many opportunities.”
VP Ramdath shared his experience of first entering the workforce without a degree.
“I’m from Trinidad and moved to Florida without a high school diploma,” he says. “I started working and realized my co-workers with degrees were making a lot more money.”
His advice to the scholars in the room was, “Get involved with paid internships, and other opportunities. You’ve shown that you have determination, and the ability to take chances. Whatever we can do to help you along the way, we’re here for you.”

Alumni remarks were delivered by Mr. Bamba Diop (Business Administration, ’23).
“Thanks to Out in Two, I was able to graduate from BMCC in just one year, and now I’m at Baruch College, studying finance,” he told the scholars.
“Being in Out in Two made me feel more responsible for myself and my goals. It improved my leadership skills. Don’t be shy. Ask questions, make use of the many resources available to you. The sky’s the limit.”
Scholars have diverse backgrounds and a shared drive to succeed.
The 2024 Out in Two scholars (and their majors) are Malcolm Best, Music; Yarin Biton, Business Administration; Aviya Caspi, Computer Science; Gabriela Guerra, Business Management; Shenglei He, Psychology; Nikola Karanikic, Computer Science; Christian Lanzo, Mathematics & Sciences for Secondary Education; Asaph Liau, Psychology; Lili Mei Wu, Liberal Arts; Meziane Ouchene, Computer Science; Borhan Parvaz, Computer Science; Abdul Rehman, Computer Science; Khine Zin Soe, Psychology; Hein Min Thant, Computer Science; May Thazin Phoo, Engineering Science; Genesis Vejar, Computer Science; Liliia Volokhatiuk, Theatre and Dylan Yagninim, Computer Science.
Out in Two scholar and Theatre major Liliia Volokhatiuk moved to the U.S. because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“My sister and I got out, and stayed with family members in California, then we moved to New York,” she says. “My parents are still in Ukraine.”

Ms. Volokhatiuk chose BMCC, she says, “because of the Theatre program, the affordability and location.” Working now as a barista at a coffee shop in Brooklyn, she is an aspiring actor and is part of a BMCC play now in production, “A Cold Pizza.”
Christian Lanzo, a Mathematics & Sciences for Secondary Education major and aspiring high school teacher, says he was drawn to the Out in Two program because, as he puts it, “I’m on board with the goal to graduate in two years. That’s something I had already committed myself to.”
Another benefit, he says, is financial: “With TAP, FAFSA and the Out in Two scholarship, I won’t have a lot of debt when I graduate.”
For more information on Out in Two at BMCC, visit online, call (212) 776-6350, email outintwo@bmcc.cuny.edu or stop by 199 Chambers Street, Room S-108.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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BMCC welcomes a new cohort of 18 Out in Two scholarship recipients with a ceremony in the Fiterman Conference Center
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Out in Two creates a supportive community designed to help each scholar graduate from BMCC within two years and transfer to a senior college
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Benefits include a book stipend, MetroCard, dedicated academic advisor, scholarship up to $1,600 per semester, and more