Scholar Performance
Tessa was featured with her chamber group on the national radio program 'From the Top'.
Fidel Malena
“My soul cries for justice and equality for disadvantaged nations in the Americas. I hope to parlay my passion for government into positive change that supports stable democracies and fosters economic success in these regions.”
- Program: 2008 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Hometown: Bronx, NY
- Community College: Westchester Community College
- Four-year College or University: Columbia University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Government, Latin American Affairs
Biography
PROFILE: Fidel Malena grew up in a frightening neighborhood in the South Bronx where he and his family lived in public housing and relied on welfare checks. Local drug dealers would try to persuade him to abandon school and coach him on how to avoid truancy officers. “My desire for an education was seriously challenged by the ignorance, poverty, and violence that existed within my neighborhood and high schools.”
Fidel’s difficult high school experience lasted almost seven years and involved three different schools, the last of which was a converted office space with no windows, no library, and no gym. “Many of my peers from high school were either forced to join the military, or are in jail or heaven.” Fidel persevered and graduated in 2005 at the age of 21. “I’ve come a long way, and I’m still holding fast to my dreams. Poverty is violence; but the violence of poverty shall not destroy me.”
INSPIRATION: “My parents motivated me to work hard, my professors influenced me to work smart, and my faith in God has helped me to flourish.”
ASPIRATION: Fidel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in international relations. He dreams of one day becoming Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. State Department.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Fidel has long been an active volunteer in his community. He trained summer youth employees in voter registration drives and laws, prepared and delivered meals to senior citizens with Meals on Wheels, and served on parks, education, and youth committees with the City of New York Bronx Community Planning Board.
ACCOLADES: Fidel won the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
INTERESTING FACT: Fidel represented Bolivia as a delegate to the 2004 National Model United Nations Conference.
Other Scholars Like Fidel
Heather Lewis
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Stanford University
Flavia Oleniewski
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Maryland Institute College of Art
Daniel Gil-Marca
Graduate Scholar
M.A. Eastman / D.M.A Peabody
Dwayne Kelly
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Fordham University