Seven greater Riverdale residents named to dean’s list at Tufts University

Seven greater Riverdale residents earned the prestige of making the dean’s list at Tufts University.

To qualify, one must have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher.

Those local resident who were so honored include:

• Nolan Caile, a Bronx High School of Science alumnus, is studying biology at Tufts and has completed his first year. His specialty is research, as he practiced it since high school. He interned at Massachusetts Hospital over the summer before Covid-19.

• Jeremy Cohen, a computer science major, is set to graduate from Tufts in 2025. His interests are media and entertainment.

• Leo Deener graduated from American Studies at Lehman College in 2021. Deener was part of the Spanish Honor Society and captain of the varsity basketball team. He is studying international relations. This past summer, South Bronx United selected Deener as one of the interns to support low-income and immigrant youth.

• Claudio Galea, a high school graduate from Fordham Preparatory School, is now studying biology and community health at Tufts. Throughout college, he volunteered in clinics and interned as a research assistant. He is set to graduate next year.

• Maya Katz is set to graduate next year from Tufts with a degree in international relations.

• Maya Friedson graduated from Ethical Culture Fieldston School before Covid-19 and from Tuft this year, earning her bachelor of arts in clinical psychology. She was one of 2,800 students to receive her degree across all schools. She was a summa cum laude.

• Jael Strell, an Ethical Culture Fieldston School graduate, graduated from Tufts this year. She received her degree in political science and environmental studies. She was a Pi Sigma Alpha — political science honor society — and was in the Ivy Sorority. She made the dean’s list seven times.

Tufts, founded in 1852 is in the greater Boston area. Other campuses are in France. It is recognized as a student-centered research university with undergraduate, graduate professional and lifelong learning programs.

Montclair State dean’s list

As we approach a new academic year, Montclair State University wants to honor those who achieved academic excellence last semester. And that is Rabakah Rodriguez, a nutrition and food science major from greater Riverdale.

Rodriguez was among nearly 6,000 students on the dean’s list. She maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Just 12 miles from New York City, the New Jersey-based university is a research doctoral institution ranked in the top tier of the national universities.

Founded in 1908, the university has 13 colleges and schools that serve more than 21,000 undergraduates, more than 300 doctoral, masters and baccalaureate programs.

Graduate from NYIT

Illan Cohen-Vasquez from greater Riverdale moved his tassel from the right to the left at New York Institute of Technology this summer. He took home a digital arts bachelor’s degree from its fine arts program.

Prior to his graduation, Cohen-Vasquez was one of the New York Institute of Technology students to showcase their scholarly work at the annual Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression on April 14.

Purchase College resident assistant

Erin Arroyo of greater Riverdale is studying psychology at Purchase College. But Arroyo’s life has changed this academic year. The psychology major is serving as a resident assistant for the 2023-24 academic year.

The position plays a vital role in creating support and belonging for students.

Arroyo is now responsible for organizing events, offering peer support, addressing concerns and more.