We are proud to recognize CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) student Maria Turbi Henderson, as one of four FSC students selected to receive the prestigious SUNY Chancellor Award for Student Excellence. Maria was nominated for this honor by CSTEP director Ms. Risa Stein. According to Ms. Stein, "Maria is an amazing student who excels academically, but also dedicates herself to improving the lives of others."
Maria came to this country from the Dominican Republic in 2016. She learned English
during the evening at Suffolk County Community College as she worked to save money
to pursue her bachelor's degree. As she recalls: "Graduating from college seemed like
an unreachable dream due to the challenges I was facing as a low income and immigrant
student." But her perseverance paid off. Ultimately, Maria not only graduated from
FSC in spring 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Bioscience, but she accomplished this
while working almost full time as a physical therapy aide, volunteering at a nursing
home, conducting research on cancer cells, and orchestrating numerous community service
activities.
In part, she thanks CSTEP for her success: "In moments when I was overwhelmed and
felt like giving up, I always found encouragement and great counseling from the CSTEP
staff." For her, CSTEP was a place to "...get a great amount of support, resources,
and unmatched mentorship." Maria was always an active participant and contributor
in CSTEP. She volunteered as a tutor to her peers, mentored high school students,
and served as a motivational presenter. Additionally, Maria was devoted to cancer
cell research under the guidance of her faculty mentor.
Maria dreams of becoming a physician and hopes to enter medical school in 2021. (Another dream we are certain will come true!)
