Newsroom > John Jay’s Mehak Kapoor is Vice Chancellor’s CUNY Student Leader of the Year

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John Jay’s Mehak Kapoor is Vice Chancellor’s CUNY Student Leader of the Year

Senior Mehak Kapoor, an Economics major, has been selected as the second recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s CUNY Student Leader of the Year award. The Division of Student Affairs selected Kapoor for her extraordinary service to CUNY throughout her student career in addition to her outstanding academic achievement.

Kapoor’s family emigrated from New Delhi, India, when she was 8 years old so that she and her brother could have a chance to a better education. Although she said leaving her hometown, friends, and family was a difficult transition, it was worth it. Ever since she took classes at John Jay through the College Now program as a senior in high school, she knew John Jay was the college for her. 

“Attending John Jay has been one of my best decisions,” she said.  “I love John Jay, its welcoming atmosphere, the professors are very helpful in providing constructive criticism on students’ work and providing additional time to their office hours to help students. Also the student life here is amazing. There is an abundance of opportunities here. John Jay has made me the person I am today. It has turned the girl who came in as a freshman into the woman who is leaving.” 

Kapoor’s service on behalf of student life and community at John Jay and CUNY is exemplary. She is currently finishing her term as President of the Student Council, and has also served as its  Vice President and Sophomore Representative.  She has been a Peer Ambassador for Student Affairs and served as a Peer Mentor for First Year Experience. Some of the accomplishments of Student Council this year include John Jay’s student activity fee increase, creation of scholarships for graduate and undergraduate student leaders, and the donation of a display case to student organizations to showcase their achievements and diligence. “I would like to thank my colleagues Jeffrey Aikens, Whitney Brown and Stephanie Montero for their support, service and dedication.”

She is on the Dean’s List, a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and received the Captain Edward Leuchs Scholarship, the Upper Division Scholarship, Maria I. Ramirez Scholarship, Rising Sophomore Scholarship and the Peter F. Vallone Scholarship.

Kapoor said she is honored to receive the CUNY Student Leader of the Year award, although, she feels that John Jay pride is the most important aspect about the award, “I’m glad to be able to represent John Jay at a higher level.”

Kapoor is eager to begin applying to law schools and hopes to become a corporate or immigration lawyer, yet she says her upcoming graduation is both “sweet and sour”.

“I have worked four years to get to this degree, but I am very sad to leave this place,” said Kapoor.