View photos from The Stellas 2026 Awards and Reception.
New York, N.Y. (June 17, 2026) – Guttman Community College, part of the City University of New York, honored its graduates, students and distinguished supporters on June 15 during The Stellas 2026 Awards and Reception held at the Museum of the City of New York. The event brought together almost 200 attendees for a formal celebration at the end of the academic year.
“The evening offered a special moment to recognize the remarkable achievements of our students alongside the dedicated advocates who invest in their futures. We are proud to honor the students who have distinguished themselves through their service and accomplishments as well as the individuals and organizations whose generosity and commitment have strengthened our institution,” said Interim President Elizabeth de León Bhargava.
The event centered around the The Stellas 2026 Awards ceremony, which was hosted by Director of Student Life Andrew Bennett and acknowledged students as well as long-time supporters of the College. The Carrol and Milton Petrie Foundation and Henry Street Settlement were honored with Community Partnership Excellence Awards, recognizing their support of the College and dedication to student persistence. The Amadou Diallo Foundation, Jasper Wang and Kristin Heintz, and Diana Delgado of Neighborhood SHOPP were presented with 2026 College Impact Awards in acknowledgement of their partnership, generosity and unwavering commitment to student success.
Several student awards, listed below, were presented to those who have exhibited outstanding leadership in various roles at the College, including student government leadership, student club engagement and academic achievement. Guttman staff members were also recognized for their leadership and collaboration with student clubs.
Prior to the awards ceremony, a reception was held on an outdoor terrace for alumni, Guttman Community College Foundation Board members and Guttman supporters, featuring remarks by President de León, Senior Advisor for Partnerships, Alumni Engagement and Development Robert Pagan, and Guttman alum and Don Carvajal Café Founder and CEO Héctor Carvajal (‘18). Additionally, New York City Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Helen Arteaga spoke at the reception ahead of her engagement as distinguished speaker for the College’s Commencement ceremony on June 17.
The event included performances by opera singer Linda Collazo and spoken word artist Laney the Poet. Guests were also welcomed into museum exhibition spaces, including “He Built this City: Joe Macken’s Model,” “Activist New York” and “Songs of New York.”
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Over 60 Student Awards Presented for Leadership, Achievement and Engagement
Student Leader Recognition Awards
The Stella Award for Student Government Association Outstanding Leadership:
Jerry Gordillo
The Stella Award for Peer Leader Outstanding Leadership:
Yohanny Marmol
Janadee Seneviratne
The Stella Award for Phi Theta Kappa Society Outstanding Leadership:
Celia Rogers (President)
The Stella Award for Student Club President of the Year:
Janadee Seneviratne
Student Government Association Award Certificates:
Randy Cazado
Brad Lynch
Ariba Sikder
Antonio Russo
Zion Alexis
Jerry Gordillo
Ayanna Hunter
Peer Leader Award Certificates:
Judine “JuJu” Biggs
Destiny Cobos
Yohanny Marmol
Hanns Medina
Merissa Taylor
Joline Pineda
Janadee Seneviratne
Farjana Jannath
Danae Smith
Vanessa Carrero
Li Mahoney
Swapnil Rahman
Justice Bolle-Suazo
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Award Certificates:
Merissa Taylor
Brad Lynch
Callista Wilkie
Hanns Medina
Campbell Brice
Celia Rogers
Student Club Presidents Award Certificates:
Callista Wilkie
Isabel “Space” Koonce
Mona Diaz
Janadee Seneviratne
Hanns Medina
Erlis Vasquez
Zion Alexis
Ayanna Hunter
Nasya Pretto
Gary Oey Steven
Student Academic Achievement & Co-Curricular Awards
Program of Study Awards for Highest Grade Point Average:
Christian Martinez – Business Administration
Jared Bones – Human Services
Jay’R Suba – Health Information Technology
Ariba Sikder – Information Technology
Mona Diaz – Cybersecurity Certificate
Eric Sabater – Liberal Arts
Stephanie Morinia – Science
Xiaodan Zeng – Urban Studies
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Program Stella Award:
Celia Rogers
Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society Award:
Brad Lynch
CUNY Leads Scholar Award:
Joseph Hurtado-DeMendoza
The Stella Award for United Men of Color Engagement:
Mamadou Diallo
Student Engagement Awards
The Stella for Club Program of the Year:
“Letters of Love: Messages of Hope for Separated Children” – Grizzlies Beyond Borders
The Stella for Most Engaged Members:
The Stonewall Club
The Stella for Jack of All Trades:
Brad Lynch
The Stella for New Club of the Year:
Caribbean Student Association
The Stella for Student Life Collaboration:
Public Safety
The Stella for Club Advisor of the Year:
Dana LePage
Jessica Portillo
The Stella for Club of the Year:
Gaming Grizzlies
The Stella’r Stella for Overall Student Engagement:
Janadee Seneviratne
Jerry Gordillo
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Stella and Charles Guttman Community College is CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College provides holistic support and advising to ensure timely degree completion, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2020 and 2021 by Niche.com, and WalletHub ranked Guttman the #1 community college in New York State for 2025.
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