York Salutatorian: a Renaissance Woman for the 21st Century

Alvina Junaid, a Social Work major minoring in Psychology, has been selected salutatorian of the Class of 2022.

With a cumulative GPA of 3.977 Ms. Junaid, who made the Dean’s List “all semesters,” got this distinction through hard work and determination. She has also participated in student life activities such as serving as vice president of the Muslim Student Association Club, where she organized events, created flyers and more.

From fall 2017 through late spring 2021, Junaid also served as a part-time teacher at Hamza Academy, where she taught young children. In her fields of study. She has also practiced what she was learning by interning as a “Legal Hand” helping clients with housing, domestic violence, government benefits, and unemployment issues. She has interned at Queens Community House-SYEP as well.

Her natural curiosity and artistic bent have also seen her engaging in traveling and photography. But she has a sweet interest as well with her passion for baking. Born and reared in Long Island, New York to immigrant parents from Pakistan, Junaid graduated from Crescent School (private high school) in Hempstead, Long Island.

At York she found mentors in both of her academic fields and friends amongst her peers. Her immediate plans are mindful of the importance of self-care perhaps in keeping with her training as a social worker.

“I am taking a break, says Junaid, who completed her degree in December. “I have been enjoying a break and traveled to Pakistan and [the] Dominican Republic. I plan to apply to jobs soon and apply for social work master programs within five years.”

Congratulations to Ms. Junaid on her stellar accomplishment. We look forward to hearing her remarks at the June 2 Commencement at the UBS Arena in Elmont.