In conjunction with the celebration of this year’s National Nurses Week, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) honored its Nursing programs’ graduates at the annual Nursing Convocation and Pinning Ceremony held at Baruch College on May 7.
The 2025 National Nurses Week theme, “The Power of Nurses,” served as the evening’s inspiration, as over 200 graduates and members of the School community joined family and friends to mark this milestone.
Nursing faculty member Dr. Kathleen Marsala Cervasio led the night as moderator, and introduced the first speaker of the evening, Dean Dr. Lisa Braverman, who offered an opening message via video.
In her congratulatory remarks, Dean Braverman noted that the 2025 National Nurses Week theme applied perfectly to the School’s Nursing graduates. "’The Power of Nurses,’ could not be more fitting,” said Dr. Braverman. “Throughout your journey—whether working the night shift, answering urgent calls, or comforting patients and families at their most vulnerable moments—you have embodied the true power of nursing. It is the power to heal, advocate, lead, and inspire.”
At the close of her message, Dean Braverman also expressed sincere gratitude to two members of the Nursing faculty who are retiring this year, recognizing their decades of dedication to the School: Dr. Margaret Reilly, academic director of the CUNY SPS Nursing programs, and Dr. Patricia Bartley Daniele, associate professor of Nursing.
Following Dean Braverman, Dr. Daniele delivered an emotional and inspiring keynote speech, at times fighting tears. A double CUNY graduate (BSN and MSN), Dr. Daniele’s history represents a classic CUNY story. As the daughter of immigrants, who was “part of the first generation educated beyond 6th grade” and who worked her way through college, Dr. Daniele could readily relate to the struggles graduates experienced as they worked towards their Nursing degrees. “All of you balance coursework, raising families, working, jobs, and/or overcoming personal challenges. Your commitment brought us here today,” she said.
Dr. Daniele’s address also focused on transitions such as graduations, noting that “transitions are the fabric of our profession.” She challenged the nursing graduates to see their profession as a calling and continually boost their skills. “Remember this, transitions by nature are not barriers. They are bridges.”
After Dr. Daniele’s remarks, select students received a special recognition cord as inductees to the prestigious international honor society of nursing, Sigma Theta Tau (today known simply as Sigma). These cords were awarded to 13 graduates who distinguished themselves academically and through field achievements, as well as exhibiting professional leadership. The honorees were: Asime Bregu, Benjamin Lei, Waice Mui, Goseema Persuad, Naomi Rison, Elizabeth Rosa, Arleen Silva, Caitin Sullivan, Ashley Tang, Lauren Winston, and Chris Zorbas.
Nursing graduate student and newly initiated Sigma member Lauren Winston (pictured at left) recounted the obstacles she overcame in working towards her master’s degree. “Balancing graduate school while working at the bedside wasn’t easy, but every challenge strengthened my purpose,” Winston paid tribute to the mentoring of the CUNY SPS Nursing faculty who “reminded me that growth comes from perseverance and consistency would be the key my success.”
Winston also spoke of becoming part of the Sigma tradition of excellence. “It’s more than a recognition—it’s a reflection of the dedication, integrity, and lifelong commitment to excellence that I aim to bring the profession,” she said. “It’s an honor that reaffirms my purpose and inspires me to lead with knowledge, compassion, and pride.”
Next, undergraduate student speaker Scott Levine, (at left), a psychiatric nurse from Queens Hospital Center and a graduating student in the RN to BSN program, took to the podium to share his reflections.
Levine, a wine expert “who ran his own liquor shop,” explained that nursing fulfilled a calling for caregiving. “It wasn't until I watched my wife, a nurse, balance work, family, and nursing school that realized it wasn't too late to find deeper purpose. I knew I wanted to follow that example,” he said.
Levine also spoke of the challenges he faced as a father of four while working towards his nursing degree, but he never lost focus on his goal. He reminded everyone about the crux of caregiving, “healing is emotional, relational…Care without cultural understanding isn't care at all.”
An impressive listing of capstone projects from both undergraduate and graduate students followed Levine’s speech.
After the undergraduates’ acknowledgements, Kristine Pisano (at left) took to the stage to deliver the graduate student address. Pisano, the assistant director of nursing at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Hospital, is also an adjunct professor, soon-to-be graduate of the CUNY SPS Nursing Education master’s program, and a mother of three. In her speech, Pisano also spoke movingly about the power of nurses.
“Today is not just a celebration of what we have learned. It is a celebration of who we have become,” observed Pisano. “We have walked a journey of dedication, resilience, and rigorous education. Grounded in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and compassionate care.” She went on to thank “our brilliant faculty,” while reminding graduates to “let our light be a force for change.”
The event concluded with the pinning ceremony, the time-honored tradition where graduates received a nursing pin to indicate their completion of education and official initiation into the profession.
About the CUNY SPS Online Nursing Programs
The CUNY School of Professional Studies offers a portfolio of online degrees and advanced certificate programs in nursing to help fill the growing void within the healthcare system. Serving as the first fully online nursing degree in the CUNY system, our programs help nurses advance within their careers while continuing their education in a timely, flexible, and affordable way.
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
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