Program Staff

Professor Jorge Ivan Velez

Assistant Director

Email: jorge.velez@qc.cuny.edu

Professor Velez is an educator interested in promoting equity by making relevant the everyday lived experiences of students as to encourage self-advocacy. Especially for new students, teaching them how to advocate for themselves is a skill that will help them succeed not only in college, but in every walk of life. When not working at FYE, you can find them emphasizing the understated value of a pre-chorus or looking for zany instances of humor in the minutiae of everyday interactions. 

Ms. Michelle Chan

Office Assistant

Email: michelle.chan@qc.cuny.edu

Michelle studied hospitality management at the New York City College of Technology and is determined to provide a safe and comfortable environment for students here at FYE. She believes group support leads to individual success and that students and faculty can equally learn and benefit from each other. Outside of working at FYE, she can be found cooking up experimental recipes or chasing after her three year old son!

Ms. Saarah Ahsan

Freshman Specialist

Email: saarah.ahsan@qc.cuny.edu

Saarah is a graduate of Queens College. She double majored in Psychology and Childhood Education (1-6). Saarah has been with the FYE Program for four years. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for students where they can speak to peers to gain new perspectives and knowledge. She hopes to give back to the community that gave her a wonderful college experience. Outside of FYE, she likes to practice rollerblading and watching Netflix. 

Peer Coordinators 

Simran Parkash

Simran Parkash is currently a senior in the Scholars Program, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Cities and Social Medicine. She enjoys helping people and learning new things in the process. Aside from FYE, she works in the NYCDOE as a paraprofessional. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and traveling.

Major: Computer Science                    Minor: Cities and Social Medicine  

Sneha Sara Vinod

Sneha Vinod is a senior majoring in neuroscience and Minoring in BALA while on the Pre-Med track. She enjoys spending time knowing different people and helping them out in any way possible. Her hobbies are traveling, cooking, and singing. Apart from FYE, she works as a pharmacy tech at Salzman chemists; She is also the vice president of NSLS at Queen’s College and volunteers with hospice patients during her free time.

Majors: Biology and Neuroscience                     Minor: BALA

Elisheva Conway

Elisheva is a recent graduate of Queens College, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is deeply passionate about providing support to individuals during times of transition, and she is dedicated to helping first-year students at Queens College navigate their academic journey and build community. In addition to her role at FYE, she serves as an Intern at Queens College Psychological Center and contributes to clinical psychology research. During her free time, Elisheva enjoys spending time with friends and watching documentaries.

Major: Psychology                     

Kelisha Prophete

Kelisha is a junior majoring in English with an interest in media studies. She enjoys helping people succeed. Outside of FYE, Kelisha is an admin for the Student Film Production Team. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, doing self care, reading, writing, and art.  

Major: English