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Every year, remarkable students come to �鶹ֱ�� from around the world—driven, determined, and ready to build their futures. Behind their success is more than hard work alone—it’s the belief and generosity of a community of donors who see their potential and choose to invest in it.

Because of this support, students from every background gain access to a life-changing education, form lifelong connections, and grow into leaders ready to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

We are profoundly grateful to our �鶹ֱ�� donors for opening doors, inspiring ambition, and helping the next generation dream bigger and achieve more.

Scholarship Impact Report

Layna Cummings ’26

BBA Advertising and Integrating Marketing Communications & MS Social Media and Mobile Marketing
Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

As a first-generation college student, Layna Cummings was drawn to �鶹ֱ�� by the vibrant energy of downtown Manhattan and the promise of a university that would directly prepare her for the professional world. However, balancing a combined degree with working three jobs to pay for her education proved to be a heavy lift. Receiving endowed scholarship support changed everything, lifting a financial weight off her family and giving her the breathing room to be fully present as a student—whether that meant attending office hours, lingering after class to connect with peers, or stepping into leadership roles like student manager at the Welcome Center and Honors College Mentor.

During her time at �鶹ֱ��, Layna maximized every resource, participating in four clubs, attending three professional development conferences, and completing six internships. Supported by classroom learning and guidance from Career Services, she navigated a fierce application process against thousands of candidates to land one of only ten undergraduate marketing internships at PepsiCo’s Purchase Headquarters. There, Layna channeled her training in advertising and integrated marketing into designing a consumer-centric Super Bowl retail campaign, leaning on her class notes, professors, and mentors whenever obstacles arose.

My journey at �鶹ֱ�� has taught me that while hard work and late nights provide the fuel, it is the belief and generosity of others that can build the bridge to the finish line. Because of donor investment in my potential, I was a student who had the breathing room to become a leader, a mentor, and a future entrepreneur.

Having graduated with honors in spring 2026, receiving both her bachelor's in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications and her master's in Social Media and Mobile Marketing, Layna has launched her full-time career on PepsiCo's marketing team. Looking ahead, she aims to leverage her corporate experience to eventually launch her own advertising agency, focusing on community programming and elevating local, POC-owned businesses.

Liam Cashman ’26

Computer Science
Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

Coming from a single-parent household and self-funding his college education, Computer Science major Liam Cashman learned early on that community support is essential to individual success. At �鶹ֱ��, receiving scholarship assistance lifted a critical financial weight, giving him the freedom to fully immerse himself in the campus community as the founder of the Artificial Intelligence Club, a Seidenberg Studio mentor for underclassmen, and a peer tutor at the Learning Commons.

Driven by a passion for technology that solves real-world problems, Liam has built a diverse hands-on background in the field. During his time at �鶹ֱ��, he served as a Software Engineering Intern at Ashford South, where he developed internal tools to streamline operations. More recently, as an Asset Management Intern at global consultancy Nagarro, he managed enterprise device lifecycles, provided end-user tech support for major corporate events, and kept critical tech infrastructure running smoothly.

Set to graduate in December 2026, Liam plans to focus his career at the intersection of AI ethics and Agricultural Tech—building sustainable, impact-driven software tools that address environmental and global challenges.

My experience coming from a single-parent household taught me that success is rarely a solo effort. It requires grit, yes, but it also requires a community that is willing to invest in potential.

Anna Nahata ’26

Biology
Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Biology major Anna Nahata was drawn to �鶹ֱ�� by a love for hands-on discovery and seeing scientific concepts come to life. The moment she saw the extensive laboratory opportunities built into Dyson College’s curriculum, she knew it was the right place to pursue her pre-medical track. Throughout her time at �鶹ֱ��, Anna transformed that curiosity into high-level scientific research, earning both the Provost’s and Dyson College Student-Faculty Undergraduate Research Awards for her work on topics ranging from environmental antibiotic monitoring to Silk Road historical databases.

Under the mentorship of Professors Matthew Marcello and David Boerma, and with the support of a donor-funded scholarship, Anna focused her senior research on Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to investigate male fertility. Her findings earned her an Outstanding Poster Award from the Dyson Society of Fellows, recognition at �鶹ֱ��’s annual Biology Research Day, and the opportunity to present at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference—culminating in her selection for highest academic excellence in the BS in Biology program. Beyond the lab, Anna gave back to the campus community as a peer content tutor, supporting over 40 students across STEM and business courses.

It is one thing to read and understand how a process works on paper, and another to witness a reaction in front of you. The faculty support and hands-on laboratory opportunities at �鶹ֱ�� gave me the exact foundation and confidence I need to step into the medical field.

As she prepares for medical school, Anna is spending her gap year expanding her clinical foundation in her home borough—working as a medical assistant, gaining hands-on exposure through physician shadowing in vascular surgery and pediatric care, serving as a health aide intern at Maimonides Medical Center, and volunteering at South Brooklyn Health Hospital while preparing for the MCAT.

Harrison Bench ’27

Juris Doctor
Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Growing up along Long Island’s Great South Bay, Harrison Bench developed an early fascination with the geology and hydrology of local marshes. As he witnessed the growing threats of overdevelopment, changing climate, and rising sea levels in his hometown, his scientific curiosity naturally evolved into environmental advocacy. During high school, he co-founded Students for Climate Action, a nonprofit that connects young people with elected officials to address climate and sustainability issues—an organization he remains involved with today.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental policy at the University of South Carolina, Harrison realized that while practical solutions to environmental crises exist, legal roadblocks often prevent them from being implemented quickly. Driven to fast-track these solutions, he enrolled at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at �鶹ֱ��. Today, as a recipient of the Haub Scholars award, Harrison is simultaneously pursuing a Juris Doctorate at �鶹ֱ�� and a Master of Environmental Management at Yale University through Haub Law’s joint degree program with Yale.

At Haub Law, Harrison has maximized every opportunity to deepen his expertise, conducting extensive work with the Land Use Law Center and traveling to Abu Dhabi with the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies to gain hands-on international policymaking experience at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. His academic foundation has been bolstered by high-level legal experience, including roles at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an externship with the New York State Department of Public Service, and a position at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP—facilitated by Haub Law professor Achinthi Vithanage.

New York is my home, it’s the place I hope to one day raise my kids. Donor support makes it possible for students like me to seize every academic and professional opportunity at �鶹ֱ�� without limitation.

Currently working as a Summer Associate at Hodgson Russ LLP, Harrison is focusing his practice on environmental and energy law. Looking ahead, he aims to advance private-sector green initiatives and clean energy development before eventually transitioning into New York government.

Allison Shurak ’27

Nursing
College of Health Professions

A native of Putnam County, New York, Allison Shurak chose �鶹ֱ��’s Pleasantville campus to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing within the Lienhard School of Nursing and the Pforzheimer Honors College. A dedicated and self-motivated nursing student, Allison approaches healthcare with a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and patient-centered care. Building on a strong practical foundation as a certified EMT and camp leader, she came to �鶹ֱ�� eager to combine rigorous clinical preparation with meaningful campus leadership.

Throughout her time in Pleasantville, Allison has established herself as a standout mentor and advocate within the nursing community. She serves as an Honors College Mentor and �鶹ֱ��Bound Panelist, guiding first-year students and representing the Honors College to prospective families. As Treasurer for the �鶹ֱ�� Nursing Students' Association, her leadership earned her the prestigious “Treasurer for a Difference” award at the Nursing Students' Association of New York State (NSANYS) Convention, where her chapter was also awarded the Future Leadership Fund. Expanding her impact statewide, she was elected to the NSANYS Executive Board as Communications Director for the 2026–2027 term.

Her exceptional academic record and leadership culminated in her selection for the Summer 2026 Clinical Assistant Program (CAP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, gaining hands-on oncology care experience at the Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion.

Donor support has provided me with financial security to fully throw myself into my clinical work, leadership roles, and mentorship at �鶹ֱ��. Knowing that donors believe in my potential fuels my drive to excel as a clinician and deliver compassionate, top-tier care to every patient I serve.

Jadan Brioso ’27

Musical Theater
Sands College of Performing Arts

Hailing from Lithia Springs, Georgia, Musical Theater major and Commercial Dance minor Jadan Brioso began performing as an energetic child looking for a creative outlet. What started as a childhood hobby quickly evolved into a lifelong passion and a career pursuit, leading him to New York City to train at one of the top performing arts programs in the nation.

For Jadan, the rigorous training at �鶹ֱ��’s Sands College of Performing Arts has been transformative, stretching his artistic limits while fostering deep personal growth. That world-class instruction has already been translated into significant professional milestones, from performing on The TODAY Show to joining an international tour travelling around the world. Off the stage, Jadan credits his close-knit Musical Theater cohort—his "MT family"—for providing an unwavering support system that makes New York feel like home.

Receiving scholarship support has lifted a vital weight, allowing Jadan to fully commit to his intensive artistic training and performance opportunities. As he looks toward his senior year and beyond, he is determined to challenge industry norms by advocating for versatility and individuality in the performing arts.

The theater industry often tries to put performers into boxes and stereotypes, but �鶹ֱ�� has taught me to push past those boundaries. Because of donor belief in my potential, I have the backing to grow not just as an artist, but as a person—and I can't wait to keep reaching new heights.