October 2024 Winners

Mélida Sánchez

Assistant Professor and Co-Spanish Coordinator
Modern Languages and Cultures

From Barranquilla, Columbia, to the United States, to Arkansas, to New York City and finally to Flushing, Queens.

“What a journey!” exclaimed Professor Mélida Sánchez, who has taught Spanish at Queensborough for 26 years. “It is a wonderful thing to pursue study here, to build a life here. And it is a wonderful thing to be part of a college community that values everyone, no matter their background, beliefs, or challenges.”

Carolina Chaves-O'Flynn, Assistant Professor and Spanish Coordinator, Modern Languages and Cultures, nominated Mélida for the C.A.R.E.S. Award. “Over the years, Mélida has provided invaluable support to those facing academic challenges and adversity. A shining testament to her empathy and commitment to pedagogy is her remarkable assistance to Emmanuel Ford, a student with visual impairment. Rather than viewing his challenge as an obstacle, Professor Sánchez has transformed Emmanuel's educational journey into a tapestry of opportunities.”

Emmanuel, a liberal arts major, met Mélida when he took beginning Spanish in spring 2023.

“I immediately recognized his spark for learning and language. Aside from his hard work and talent in languages, his memory is extraordinary.”

Mélida, raised in the coastal city of Barranquilla, Columbia, completed her B.A. at the University del Universidad Atlantico in 1987. For the next nine years she worked as an English teacher at Colegio Americano (high school) and in the afternoon worked as a bi-lingual secretary at Centro Colombo Americano.

“When I was growing up, our family lived in poverty, but my teachers gave me hope and told me repeatedly that no matter where I come from or what my circumstances are, I should believe in myself. Then I can be anything I want to be.”

“Teachers who believe in you are everything.”

Carolina said, “Mélida conducted private Spanish sessions tailored to Emmanuel's needs, empowering him to excel. She encouraged him to assume leadership as the president of the Foreign Languages Society Club. Actively engaging Emmanuel in campus events, she has facilitated his integration into the student community, fostering meaningful connections with peers. Her dedication and benevolence inspire her colleagues.”

While Mélida was working at Centro Colombo Americana, she reconnected with a friend who had moved to New York and returned home to Columbia to visit family. They fell in love and together went to the U.S. where, in 1995, Mélida applied and was accepted to study in a master’s program at the University of Arkansas, a public research university where she was also granted a teaching assistantship. She received her master’s degree in 1997. She lectured at the university for one year and then joined her husband in New York City. They settled in Flushing, and a brief time later was hired as an adjunct lecturer at Queensborough.

Mélida met Carolina in 2014 in the Columbia Studies Group at the CUNY Graduate Center. At the time Mélida was pursuing her doctorate in Spanish Literature which she finished in 2016.

In 2018 she became a full-time professor at Queensborough.

“I see myself in my students. Many of them have hectic lives and daunting challenges. I was fortunate to have wonderful mentors who helped me along the way in all facets of my life and I want the same for my students.”

“Queensborough is renowned for many things—opportunities for undergraduate research, access to amazing resources, and all-inclusive student support. Every day I walk onto campus I feel welcome and included. I share my feelings in one way or another with my students, my colleagues, and my friends.”

Emmanuel is graduating at the end of this semester and will attend commencement in June.

Students who believe in you are everything.

Martina Hoyte

Enrollment Bursar Specialist
Office of the Bursar

Martina Hoyte landed at JFK airport from her home country of Guyana in the spring of 2004. It was the middle of winter. She said, “It is so cold!” Looking out the car window, she added, “All the trees are dead!” Having been born and raised in Guyana, it was hard to imagine a place that was not always warm with lush rainforests.

Her mother, who assured her it was temporary, came to the U.S. with an agenda.

She did not go far in her own education and was determined that Martina’s and her sister’s stories would be different.

“The joy I feel when helping students succeed is rooted in my mother’s resolve for us to live our best life through education.”

Christine Francavilla, Enrollment Bursar Director who nominated Martina for the C.A.R.E.S. Award noted that when the office transitioned from transaction-based to counseling, “Martina was at the ready, sitting with students, facilitating the filing process for Financial Aid, and guiding them through their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals. She often accompanies them to offices where they can be assisted with matters that cannot be handled through our office and always stays in touch.”

Parents often email Martina, thanking her for making a difference.

For Martina, it comes from the heart.

“There was a time in college when I almost gave up. I suffered from epilepsy-seizures which were debilitating and sometimes occurred when I was in class at Kingsborough and later at York College. My compassion runs deep for students who face challenges of any kind.”

The turning point in Martina’s higher education came from a professor who introduced Martina to York’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD).

“The services made an enormous difference. I was allowed test taking and classroom accommodations and if I needed it, assistive technology. This is the definition of Queensborough’s culture of care. An environment that values compassion, inclusion, and a sense of belonging...for everyone.”

Martina met Brianna Joseph when she enrolled at Queensborough in the fall of 2022. At the time, Brianna was struggling because her mother, a single parent of three, was battling cancer and had lost her job. Brianna’s grades suffered and she was placed on academic probation. Martina stepped in and connected Brianna with the Tutoring Center and helped her mother set up a financial aid payment plan.

Success followed. The next semester Brianna’s SAP appeal was approved. She went from a GPA of 1.3 to 1.9 that spring. One more SAP appeal and her GPA was above 2.0. She will graduate this December with an A.S. degree in Computer Science.

Decades ago, when Martina arrived in the U.S., she and her family settled in Brooklyn. For the next seven years she worked in Manhattan as a certified home health aide for the elderly and children with disabilities. In spring of 2012 she completed her associate degree in accounting from Kingsborough Community College. Martina longed to apply her degree skills in an educational setting.

“I learned from a friend that there was an open position in the Bursar’s Office for a college assistant. I applied and was hired in the fall of 2012.”

“From day one I have been so lucky to have worked with amazing colleagues: Victor Bifano and Carol Campbell before they retired and now with Christine, a great mentor, who encouraged me to continue my education.”

In 2019, Martina completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from York College and the same year was reclassified to Higher Education Office Assistant, Bursar Enrollment Coordinator.

A resident of Fresh Meadows for the last five years, Martina went on to receive a certificate in business leadership in 2021 from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and in 2022, received her master’s degree at CUNY School of Professional Studies in Business Management and Leadership. She was reclassified to Bursar Specialist. Martina is looking to pursue a doctoral degree in education with a focus on organizational leadership and development.

“My philosophy is simple: persevere and you will overcome your setbacks; persevere and you will meet wonderful mentors who will guide you; persevere and you will make lasting friends along the way. Know that success is achieved through trial and error.”

“I have the privilege of providing considerate assistance to students, guaranteeing their contentment with financial matters, and facilitating the filing process for financial aid. My dedication is unwavering, and I am resolute in my commitment to the perpetual advancement and support of students.”

“My mother’s resolve for me to live my best life through education has been realized.”