One phone call changed Aryanna Chiraunjilal’s life.

After stepping away from college during the pandemic, Aryanna received a call from Professor Stephen Powers asking if she planned to return to Bronx Community College. The question made her reconsider. “It felt like a sign,” she said.

Aryanna had moved to the United States from Guyana, South America in 2020 and struggled at first to adjust to a new country and education system. During her break from school, she took a physically demanding job at a retail store. But after that call, she re-enrolled at BCC in spring 2022 – and quickly immersed herself in campus life.

Aryanna joined the Student Government Association, serving as both a senator and executive board member, and became active in the ASAP program. One of her most transformative experiences began when she stopped by the Men’s Empowerment Network office while looking for information about a free MetroCard.

“I was one of the first females to be involved,” she said. Encouraged by Program Manager Clifford Marshall, Aryanna joined the program and found a strong sense of community. In 2023, she was named Student of the Year by the Men’s Empowerment Network.

Aryanna graduated from BCC in 2023 with a 3.7 GPA as a first-generation college student, then transferred to Lehman College, earning a B.S. in Health Services Administration with a 3.9 GPA. Along the way, she served as a peer mentor, interned with CUNY CARES, and helped launch the Caribbean Unity Club. Another important dimension to her educational experience was the three-week, CUNY-sponsored environmental sustainability trip she took (with BCC Professor Dr. Neal Phillip and group) in 2024 while at Lehman. A talented dancer, Aryanna also has performed at various on-campus events at both BCC and Lehman, bringing joy to the community and showcasing her cultural roots.

Even after graduating, Aryanna never left BCC. She began working on campus in 2023 and is now training to become an advisor in the CUNY Reconnect/NYSOP program, helping students who left college return and complete their degrees.

“I understand what it’s like to leave school and feel unsure about coming back,” she said. “I want students to know they’re not alone.”

Despite now living in Queens, Aryanna still commutes nearly two hours each way to BCC. “That’s how much I love this place,” she said. “BCC is like a second home.”

Her advice to students considering a return to college:
“It’s never too late to start. Ask for help, get involved, and believe in yourself.”

Featured for Community College Month 2026