Hudson Valley Welcomes Second Class of Incoming Honors College Students
July 3, 2024
On Monday, July 1, Hudson Valley welcomed its second class of incoming Honors College students.
Students attended the ceremony with their families to formally celebrate their acceptance to Hudson Valley and the Honors College program and had an opportunity to sign an official Honors College banner to mark their inclusion in the incoming class of scholars. College leaders and current Honors College students welcomed the incoming class and offered insights about the specialized program.
Nearly every member of the incoming Honors College class attended the ceremony – one student – Fatjon Banushllari – even Zoomed into the ceremony from his native Albania. The one student who could not attend was flying to visit her family in Vietnam, which underscores the broad and diverse members of this new high-achieving student contingent.
Hudson Valley’s Honors College was established in 2023. Its mission is to attract future scholars and develop leaders who will engage in a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on academics, service, leadership and diversity.
“It is my absolute pleasure to welcome our new cohort of students to the HVCC Honors College,” said Honors College Director Lamyaa Hassib. “The Honors College Signing Ceremony is a moment to celebrate all that these amazing students have accomplished and to embrace them as they start their new adventures at HVCC. They are now a part of a special family, and they will join other Honors College students who value intellectual curiosity, seek to enhance their leadership skills, and aspire to expand their global citizenship.”
Students in this program take specially designated honors courses and have the opportunity to engage in research, internships and service learning projects. The program also offers other special benefits, including full-tuition scholarships and other prestigious scholarships, a designated Honors lounge on campus, and special recognition at graduation.
More than 30 family members were also in attendance at the ceremony to support their students and several noted their previous connection to Hudson Valley.
Connie Rauhauser, whose niece, Fallon Greenaway, will be in the incoming class, fondly recalled her time on the Student Senate back in the 1970s. “(Fallon) is an exceptional student and I look forward to seeing what she does,” Rauhauser said.
Hector Pollydore’s grandson, Ozias Pollydore, will be studying Computer Information Systems as part of the Honors College program, and following in his grandfather’s footsteps as a Hudson Valley student. The proud grandfather was a 1989 Nursing graduate. “I’m very happy to be here and share this with Ozias,” he said.
After completion of the program, students are prepared to seamlessly transfer to a four-year institution to further pursue their academic goals. The Honors College recently signed a transfer agreement with the honors college program at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Additional transfer agreements are being considered.