Queensborough’s 2025 Partners for Progress Gala Celebrates Distinguished Honorees Dedicated to Health Care and the Community
Queensborough’s 2025 Partners for Progress Gala was held May 1 at Terrace-on-the Park in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens. Over 400 guests convened for the event including corporate, community and business leaders, alumni, faculty, staff, students, retirees, friends, and legislators.
Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College gave the welcoming remarks, reminding attendees why their presence at the gala was important.
“When you choose to invest in our students, you're not just easing a financial burden; you're opening doors,” said Mangino. “You're helping them believe in what's possible, pursue their passions, and build a future where they can give back to this community, just as you're giving to them today.”
Charlene Prounis, ‘76, Chair, QCC Fund, Inc. offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the Officers of the QCC Fund Board. Charlene graduated from Queensborough in 1976 with a nursing degree and obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Adelphi University, magna cum laude, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from St. John’s University.
The 2025 Partners for Progress Honorees are:
Community Partner of the Year
Michael X. Mattone
Chief Executive Officer
Mattone Investors LLC
Healthcare Partner of the Year
Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez
President & Chief Executive Officer
Urban Health Plan
Among the evening’s highlights were Queensborough student speakers who shared their stories that recalled the paths they took that led them to pursuing their degree at Queensborough Community College.
Jake Jacobo has been accepted into Queensborough’s acclaimed nursing program and is on track to graduate in 2026. This summer he will shadow a critical care nurse in the “gastric mixed tumor / colorectal” unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan. Jake says, “This externship will be invaluable as I aspire to work in an intensive care unit once I graduate and pass my boards.”
Juliette Mejia, who will graduate from Queensborough this spring with an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in the Music Production Program, has excelled in her studies and plans to pursue a career as a sound engineer at Astoria SoundWorks. She says, “Queensborough has instilled in me the confidence to know what I want to do — and that I can do it.” Last winter Juliette traveled with her instructor and classmates to the National Association of Music Merchant’s Show in California where she met influencers, music professionals, educators and students from other colleges across the country.
A great advocate of student success, and long-time friend to the College, Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur was honored for her committed service. Dr. Moshirpur, Chief Medical Officer at Mount Sinai and NYC Health + Hospitals, is Secretary of the QCC Fund Board, Inc. and recently served as chair of the Partners for Progress Gala. In 2021, Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur was honored at Queensborough's virtual Gala: Broadway Toasts for her tireless work during the pandemic.
The annual Partners for Progress Gala is hosted by the Queensborough Community College (QCC) Fund, Inc.
All funds raised by the Gala will be used to support student success initiatives with the goal of increasing student retention and graduation rates, giving them an extra edge to find a career and earn a living wage. Funds will also be used to enrich the student learning experience by supporting faculty development, the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center, and Archives (KHRCA), the QCC Art Gallery and the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC).
Queensborough Community College is New York State’s highest-ranked community college and one of the best community colleges in the United States, according to a 2024 report released by WalletHub.com. It is the sixth year in a row Queensborough has been listed as a top institution of higher education by WalletHub for its education outcomes, career outcomes, and affordability. Queensborough was also ranked among the best community colleges in New York in 2024 by the online publication Intelligent and number two in New York in 2024 by the online publication Niche. These rankings reflect Queensborough’s commitment to developing students holistically in a nurturing and diverse environment that prepares them to be successful in a dynamic, global workforce.
Contact:
Alice Doyle
Tanisha Mallette
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