2025 ALUMNI RECOGNITION, SCHOLARSHIP, AND NETWORKING
Showcasing Excellence
Empoweringand the Future
Celebrate, Connect, Dine, and Dance
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 7 p.m.
Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall, North Campus
Black National Anthem
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.
James Weldon Johnson, 1900
Message from the BHA A President
Greetings on behalf of the entire 2024-2025 BHAA Executive Board. I am very honored as president to extend a warm welcome to all attendees at tonight’s Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Recognition, Scholarship, and Networking dinner. We appreciate your continued support and commitment to BHAA’s mission of Showcasing Excellence and Empowering the Future
BHAA was instituted to provide undergraduate students of color with scholarship opportunities and a networking base for students and alumni to help find internships and employment prospects upon graduation and beyond.
In my inaugural year as president, the BHAA Executive Board has continued its efforts to increase our Hispanic member base, expand our alumni reach, and collaborate with other alumni groups and clubs to build synergies. Our goal is to extend our footprint beyond these borders and engage with our alumni base beyond Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
BHAA is needed more than ever before as the landscape for minority students in America continues to move into uncharted territories. We need to position ourselves purposely here at Hofstra. Therefore, let us maintain our authenticity, continue to bridge divides by working with other alumni groups and clubs, and rebuild or institute new initiatives as a result of these collaborations. As we face continuous or new adversities, we must dig deeper into our resilience, raise our spirits, and forge ahead toward the future ... unbroken.
Our strength has been our unwavering commitment to the common welfare of our community. We need to listen, engage, and extend ourselves even more than before to lift as we climb. Our future generation is depending on us.
The future landscape must adapt for the onset of artificial intelligence, change in public policies around diversity, college funding, and more. Therefore, let us lend ourselves to build a future where students of color and alumni will enjoy progress, prosperity, and above all else, “a peace that surpasses all understanding.”
As the musician Bob Marley stated, “The greatness of a man is not how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
I am grateful for the support of President Poser, Hofstra’s BHAA Executive Committee, and all of you in attendance tonight. Enjoy the evening.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Fowler ’07; MS, ’21 President, Hofstra BHAA
PROGRAM
Opening Alan Kelly
Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs
Welcome Jacqueline Fowler ’07; MS, ’21 President, Hofstra BHAA
Invocation Jamie Whitfield ’82 Past President, Hofstra BHAA
Black National Anthem Reuben Campbell Jr.
Remarks Susan Poser President, Hofstra University
Deanna Hunter Legacy Awards Jamie Whitfield / Dinner /
Student Leadership Awards Wilbert K. Davis ’20
Scholarship Jacqueline Fowler Awards and Appeal
Alumni Recognition Awards Jacqueline Fowler Wilbert K. Davis
Closing Remarks Jacqueline Fowler / Dancing /
Thank you to Guercio & Guercio, LLP for their generous support of tonight’s event.
2025 ALUMNI HONOREES:
Christie R. Jacobson ’03; JD, ’06 Partner, Guercio & Guercio, LLP
Christie R. Jacobson received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 2006 and her Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Hofstra University Honors College in 2003. She is admitted to practice law in the State Courts of New York and Federal Eastern District Courts of New York. During law school, Jacobson studied under the Commissioner Monica Gollub Memorial Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship in Law and interned with the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Hofstra University Office of Legal Affairs. She served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Joanna Seybert of the Eastern District of New York and the Honorable Peter B. Skelos of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department.
Jacobson handles administrative litigation, including appeals to the New York State Commissioner of Education on matters such as residency, discipline, transportation, and interpretation of the Education Law. She also trains and advises clients regarding various legal mandates.
Jacobson is regularly called upon to speak on legal issues for various organizations, including the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), New York State Association of School Attorneys (NYSASA), and the Nassau and Suffolk Bar Associations. In February 2022, she co-presented a statewide legal ethics seminar titled ”Social Media Ethics for School Attorneys,“ sponsored by NYSASA. In January 2023, she presented a seminar titled “Freedom of Information Law: A Primer for School Attorneys,” for the Nassau County Bar Association’s (NCBA) Education Law Committee.
In May 2020, Jacobson was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of NYSASA. She also works with the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) House of Delegates. Jacobson has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors of NCBA and has chaired the NCBA Education Law Committee and Women in Law Committee. Her articles have been featured in the statewide NYSSBA newspaper, On Board, and the NCBA newspaper, Nassau Lawyer.
In 2022, Jacobson received the Town of Oyster Bay “Women of Distinction” Award. In 2020, she was honored by the Long Island Business News for “Leadership in Law.” Jacobson was also recognized as one of the “2019 Outstanding Women in Law” by Hofstra’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. In addition, she has been featured as one of New York Magazine’s “New York Women Leaders in the Law.”
2025 ALUMNI HONOREES:
Mark McCaw ’00; MSEd, ’05 Principal, Lawrence Road Middle School
Mark McCaw is more than an educator: He is a proud son of Uniondale, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for student success. McCaw is a lifelong Long Island resident and a 1991 graduate of Uniondale High School. His journey has come full circle. McCaw has transitioned from a student, to a high school principal, and now to the principal of the Lawrence Road Middle School – in the very district where his educational journey began.
Born to Jamaican immigrants, McCaw’s path has been one of service, perseverance, and excellence. Before stepping into the field of education, he served his country in the U.S. Army. He later pursued his passion for learning, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2000 and a Master of Science in Education in 2005, both from Hofstra University. At Hofstra, he was a proud recipient of the Hempstead for Hofstra Scholarship. McCaw continued to hone his skills at The College of Saint Rose and at Harvard’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, offered by their Graduate School of Education.
Within his 20 years of experience in education, McCaw has served as a substitute teacher, teaching assistant, history teacher, and administrator.
A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., McCaw carries forward a legacy of scholarship, service, brotherhood, and leadership. He remains deeply connected to the Hofstra University community, supporting the BHAA and staying engaged as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. affinity chapter.
McCaw’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. As he continues to build his legacy, McCaw’s commitment to education, mentorship, teachers, students, families, and community remains stronger than ever by leading with passion, purpose, and a vision for excellence.
2025 ALUMNI HONOREES:
Michaelle Solages ’08
Assemblywoman, District 22, New York State Assembly
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages is a lifelong resident of Elmont and represents the 22nd Assembly District in Nassau County.
Solages was first elected in 2012 and is the first person of Haitian descent to be elected to the New York State Legislature. She currently serves as the assembly deputy majority leader and chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.
Solages has continued to advocate for Nassau County’s middle class and small businesses by fighting for property tax relief, equitable state funding of schools, and increased public transportation services on Long Island. She is nationally recognized as a leading advocate in improving access to quality childcare, implementing a universal pre-K framework on Long Island, and establishing innovative ways to invest in families with young children from birth to kindergarten. As a mother, Solages has championed issues like maternal health and works every day to ensure New York State is a place where future generations can grow up to be healthy and prosperous.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Hofstra University in 2008.
DEANNA HUNTER LEGACY AWARD
Deanna Hunter was a dedicated and beloved member of the Hofstra University administration for 21 years, as well as an alumna who received her BA and MS in Counselor Education. She was a founding member of Hofstra‘s Black/Hispanic Alumni Association in 1990, as well as an active member of Hofstra‘s Alumni Senate and Alumni Organization. In 1995, Hunter was honored and received the Alumni Achievement Award.
She was a passionate advocate for her students. Hunter often looked high and low for internships, job opportunities, and scholarships, and always had a listening ear to help students move forward in their educational and career pursuits. She also served in the local community as co-chair of the Hempstead Neighborhood Advisory Counsel and as a member of the Hempstead/Uniondale Regional Parochial School Board. Hunter was recognized in Who's Who Among Black Americans
Hunter was the former assistant dean for special programs and the executive director of Hofstra's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the New York Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The CSTEP and STEP programs help economically disadvantaged students and underrepresented minorities succeed in their chosen fields. The programs foster a cooperative learning environment with support services that enhance each student‘s academic growth and professional potential. STEP is an academic enrichment and career preparation program for students in grades 7-12. CSTEP is a program for undergraduate students that provides a number of academic and preprofessional support services. /
2024-2025
DEANNA HUNTER LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Alyssa De La Torre
Sylvie Grand-Pierre
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS
African Student Association (ASA)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Black Leaders Advocating for Change (BLAC)
Black Nurses Association
Black Student Union (BSU)
Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
Dark Room
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Hofstra Gospel Ensemble
Hofstra’s Organization of Latinx Americans (HOLA)
Melanin Movers
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
Multicultural Fraternity Sorority Council
NAACP, Hofstra Chapter
Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Nu Tau Chapter (SGRHO)
Strictly Steppin’
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO 2024-2025 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Angeline Giselle Dishmey • Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
2024-2025 ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Christine Acuna • Film Studies and Production
Jessica Amado • Entrepreneurship
Alanalee Hughes • Neuroscience
Narjah James • Industrial Engineering
Rabi Kadana • Drama
Rebecca Noel • History; Public Policy and Public Service
Arlette Peralta • Video/Television and Film
Laura Perez Revilla • Neuroscience
The Hofstra Black/Hispanic Alumni Association commends your commitment to academic excellence.
Help us continue to provide scholarships to deserving students by scanning the QR code below:
The Maurice A. Dean School of Law is proud to join the Hofstra Black/Hispanic Alumni Association in celebrating the 2025 Annual Alumni Recognition, Scholarship, and Networking Dinner and honoring alumna
Christie Jacobson ’03; JD, ’06
Congratulations to all the honorees!
The BHAA Executive Committee is proud to recognize the achievements of this year's esteemed honorees and to celebrate the enduring power of scholarships.
Fred Davis, Jr., CPA, JD Partner
Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
fred.davis@aprio.com o: 929.626.6568 m: 973.615.4999
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4320
New York, NY 10118
Apria.com
Hofstra University congratulates this year's BHAA honorees and scholarship recipients. /
Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Executive Board
President Jacqueline Fowler ’07; MS, ’21
Vice President ...................................................................Wilbert K. Davis ’20
Secretar y .........................................................................Ruby Cuate Ayala ’22
Historian .............................................................................. Christina Grant ’00
Immediate Past President ............................................... Jamie Whitfield ’82
”People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.“
– Frederick Douglass