Families and friends of students and graduates in the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) program at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) gathered together for the third annual SEEK End of Year Celebration on May 13.
In an evening that included an award ceremony, graduation announcements, speeches, a poetry reading, and a panel discussion, the hybrid event paid tribute to the accomplishments of students in the CUNY SPS SEEK program while also observing SEEK’s milestone 60th anniversary at the City University of New York (CUNY).
The celebration began with welcoming remarks from Rianna DeFreece, associate director of admissions access programs, who reminded everyone of the evening’s significance. “We celebrate not only the accomplishments of our students, but also the enduring legacy of SEEK as we mark 60 years of impact across CUNY,” noted DeFreece. “It has created pathways for students to pursue higher education, overcome barriers, and build futures that once may have seemed out of reach. Tonight, each of you is a reflection of that legacy.”
DeFreece then introduced Dr. Michel Hodge, the University Dean for Special Programs, who offered his congratulations to SEEK graduates via video message. “I would encourage you to take the lessons that you gained as an SPS student into the future and direct that at changing the world in a better way than it is today,” said Dr. Hodge. “We're dependent on you. [You are] people who know what it means to persevere, people who know what it means to achieve, and people who know how to, as the old saying goes, make a way out of ‘no way’.”
Following Dr. Hodge, there was a series of special recognition awards–all paying tribute to the students and graduates’ hard work. The first award announced was the Academic Pinnacle Award, which was in recognition of students who achieved a 4.0 grade point average. A total of 9 students received this award, including Mohamed Abdelrahman (BA in Communications and Media), pictured left. Other honors included an Outstanding Achievement award, a Service Award, a Momentum Award, and finally, 34 graduates received special acknowledgement for their perseverance and hard work in pursuit of their degrees.
After the awards were handed out, current student Fabiany Carbajal (BA in Disability Studies), pictured right, recited a poem she composed especially for the occasion.
Following Carbajal, members of a panel that included SEEK Academic Support Specialist Arlenis Perez and CUNY SPS SEEK alum Naurene Sultana (BS in Information Science) discussed their journeys through the program while also offering helpful tips for current SEEK students.
To learn more about the SEEK program at CUNY SPS, read the article Opening Doors (p. 16-19) in the School’s 2025 Voices magazine. For personal insights from SEEK participants, watch the video below.
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 over 26 degreesand 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.
Press Contact
Prerna Dar
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