Past Award Winners

Scholarship winner Alessandra Amaya-Reyes with WEDLI President Yolanda Robano-Gross. Alessandra Amaya-Reyes
Accounting
Adelphi University

An accounting student at Adelphi University’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Alessandra Amaya-Reyes works as an office coordinator intern at a CPA firm, where she has received valuable exposure to tax and financial processes. She has developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in auditing, as she is drawn to the role auditing plays in promoting financial transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices. She plans to build on her experience and use her skills to help organizations strengthen internal controls, manage risk, and contribute to a more stable and trustworthy business environment on Long Island. In addition to balancing full-time academics and an accounting job, she also serves as Team Lead at a busy restaurant, developing strong leadership and communication skills. Alessandra shared that as a first-generation college student and the first daughter in a family of six children raised by immigrant parents, she is driven to set an example and create opportunities for others.

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Scholarship winner Alyssa Doris with WEDLI board member Lauren Kanter-Lawrence. Alyssa Doria
Social Work
Stony Brook University

Alyssa Doria recently graduated from Stony Brook University with her Master’s in Social Work. Alyssa is passionate about addressing social and economic barriers while creating opportunities that promote empowerment and stability for Long Islanders in need. She has worked closely with families and youth at risk of foster care placement throughout Nassau County. She supports parents by providing care management services, helping them secure employment and housing, and connecting them with educational or vocational training, as well as mental health, substance abuse, and parenting skills resources and referrals. Alyssa also recently started a new position where she supervises three residential group homes in Suffolk County, managing house operations and providing social work services. Alyssa says that pursuing her degree has given her a strong understanding of how systems and policies affect and interact in people’s lives. She believes that economic development on Long Island depends on strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

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Scholarship winner Jessica Moylan with WEDLI board member Lauren Kanter-Lawrence. Jessica Moylan
Operations Research
Stony Brook University

Jessica Moylan is a graduate student in Operations Research at Stony Brook University and works as a student assistant at Brookhaven National Lab. This position sparked her interest in infrastructure and transportation systems. Growing up on Long Island, Jessica noticed that road construction was constant. Potholes on major highways were dangerous, caused accidents, and increased commute times. These experiences made her realize the importance of maintaining roads. Through data analysis and the use of Geographic Information Systems tools, it is possible to identify areas that are more likely to develop issues. If those areas can be identified early, resources could be focused on building those road surfaces more strongly. Jessica says that by working in G.I.S., she will be able to help us understand how these roads work and use this information for the benefit of her local community. We live in an area where cars are a way of life; having safer and smoother roads would have positive effects and increase sustainability on Long Island.

Scholarship winner Rachel Halpert pictured with WEDLI Vice President Yolanda Robano-Gross. Rachel Halpert
Biology
Adelphi University

Rachel Halpert is a student at Adelphi University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is also part of the Honors College and Adelphi-NYU joint degree dental program. A rising senior, Rachel is dedicated to using her education and future career in dentistry to contribute to the region’s economic development and overall well-being. As a future dentist, she plans to improve access to affordable, quality dental care, particularly for the disadvantaged populations on Long Island. Rachel recognizes that healthcare, and particularly dentistry, directly influences economic productivity. Her education and experiences as a dental assistant have shown her firsthand the transformative power of oral healthcare, not only improving smiles, but also opening doors to greater opportunities.

Scholarship winner Johanna Vargas Baez Johanna Vargas Baez
Psychology; Spanish Language
Molloy University

Johanna Vargas Baez is currently pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish Language at Molloy University. Entering her senior year this fall, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to both the Molloy community and Long Island. Johanna aspires to become an industrial-organization psychologist to help Long Island companies succeed. She currently works at Options for Community Living, an agency that helps Long Islanders in need in areas such as mental health, housing, and providing comprehensive care for those with chronic illnesses and HIV/AIDS. Johanna explains, "Being able to help this community have the resources they need provides Long Island with more opportunities for economic growth due to them being able to lead the life they want without limitations."

WEDLI member Michele Pincus, scholarship winner Emma Laskowski, and WEDLI VP Michelle McQueen Emma Laskowski
Engineering Management
Hofstra University

Emma Laskowski works at H2M architects + engineers and is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering management from Hofstra University, where she will be entering her 2nd year of graduate school this coming fall. The program she is studying is designed to provide practicing engineers with the competitive edge necessary to advance to management positions in leading engineering firms. Ms. Laskowski is looking to position herself to be a key contributor in building relationships that drive the advancement of economic development. As part of her work at H2M, she participates on the land development team that is leading the planning, design, and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects that foster economic growth on Long Island.

Tiffany Huang
Business and Psychology
Stony Brook University

Tiffany Huang is pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees: a B.S. in Business and a B.A. in Psychology from Stony Brook University. She is entering her junior year this fall and is deeply committed to leadership and community service on Long Island. Ms. Huang’s educational background in psychology and business, coupled with her pursuit of a career in marketing within the beauty industry, positions her to make a significant impact on the economic development of our region. Of particular interest to her is leveraging marketing platforms to further amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and champion initiatives that promote inclusivity. Ms. Huang is also involved in Resist Recycle Regenerate, a Women Youth Leadership Program in collaboration with other Asian American women to create a space for youth to reflect on their identities in the movement for social change through the intersection of arts and activism.

WEDLI Secretary Yolanda Robano-Gross, scholarship winner Tara Philippou, and WEDLI VP Michelle McQueen Tara Philippou
Library Science
Queens College

Tara Philippou is pursuing her master’s degree in Library Science, specifically as a Library Media Specialist for Certified Teachers, from CUNY Queens College. She is entering her second year of graduate school this fall and has been a permanent substitute teacher in the Oceanside School District since 2019. She plans to pursue a career as either a school or public librarian where she will be able to have a positive impact on the Long Island economy and give back to the community. Ms. Philippou plans to host job and college fairs, resume and cover letter workshops, and interview days where people can practice interviewing, supporting the development and advancement of future generations.

Gozde Ustuner (right) with WEDLI VP Michelle McQueen. Gozde Ustuner
Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
Stony Brook University

Gozde Ustuner is pursuing her PhD in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering from Stony Brook University. Not only does she demonstrate her academic excellence with a 3.96 GPA, but she is also a visiting assisting professor, a mentor for the new online course management system, and participates in many outreach events, seminars, and conferences, including working with high school students teaching science experiments through her volunteer work with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Her current research focuses on developing a new catalyst for fuel cells which will be used for passenger and commercial vehicle operations, as well as generating clean electricity, thus reducing pollution, producing clean energy, and creating jobs. Ms. Ustuner commented in her personal statement, “My passion for cleaner and greener future is the driving force for my education, research and my goals and it gives me a purpose to work toward providing a sustainable future for the next generation as well as creating new job opportunities in the renewable energy field to promote economic growth and development on Long Island.”

Karla Rodriguez Molloy
Liberal Studies – Nonprofit Management
Stony Brook University

Karla Rodriguez Molloy is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Stony Brook University, with an exceptional GPA of 3.96. She has worked in human services for over thirteen years, ten of which have been case management in mental health, developmental disabilities, and AIDS/HIV services. Most recently, she served as supervisor for a case management team overseeing wraparound services for over thirty homes in Suffolk County and a subsidy providing critical housing stability to individuals and families facing homelessness. Ms. Rodriguez Molloy commented in her personal statement, "I have a clear vision for the future of my community - one in which BIPOC groups have greater access to higher education, more leadership opportunities, and subsequently, higher pay." This year, Ms. Rodriguez Molloy completed an Organizational Leadership program at Adelphi University meant to broaden and strengthen the pipeline for leaders of color in the nonprofit sector. She adds, "Representation is of utmost importance in leadership to remind our BIPOC service recipients that they too can attain larger-than-life roles and effect change in their communities."