Scholars in the News
Reshma Tharani, 21, is part of a new breed of community college student
Scholars in the Arts
"I am fascinated by the breadth of Art History and by how painting teaches a culture about itself."
Abraham Cisne
"I realized how there can be satisfaction in simplicity. We don't really need a lot of the things we have - we simply want them."
- Alumni of: 2005 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program
- Resides: Washington DC, DC
- Hometown: New York, NY
- Age: 28
- Community College: Community College of Philadelphia
- Four-year College or University: Temple University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Environmental Scientist, Film, International Economic Development, International NGO/Relations, Liberal Arts, Politics and Diplomacy, Social Science / Anthropology
- Other Interests: Environmental Science, Foreign Languages / International Study, International Economic Development, International Relations / NGOs, Liberal Arts, Performing Arts / Theatre, Social Science / Anthropology, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work
Biography
Abraham Cisne achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA at Community College of Philadelphia while serving as a volunteer tutor to fellow students and inner-city youth who were struggling in school. He earned election to the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, was cited by the college for Distinguished Achievement in International Studies, and held two jobs that together took 30 hours a week.
Such accomplishments were a remarkable turnaround after his less-than-stellar performance in high school. But Abraham has decided he has a new direction now, and is determined to earn a bachelor's and graduate degree in physical therapy. "I have chosen physical therapy because of demands in the industry and because I have enjoyed working in and around fitness facilities since I was 17-years old," he says. "I've always wanted to learn something that is fundamental and necessary in all societies."
As a native of Nicaragua, Mr. Cisne said he is aware of discrimination against Hispanics but embraces his own Native American and African ancestry. "This is what I see as key to bettering the world we live in - learning to relate to others who are different," he says.
Other Scholars Like Abraham
Kamal Abuarquob
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Pengtao Teng
College Scholar
University of Pennsylvania
Kirsten Johnson
Graduate Scholar
New York University
Heather Hansen
Graduate Scholar
Columbia University