A Summer of Learning & Impact: 2025 CUNY CREST HIRES Highlights
This summer, thirty-five (35) aspiring NY metropolitan region high school students received hands-on technical training, mentorship from the City College of New York (CCNY) faculty and students, and the chance to conduct college-level research in Earth System Sciences and Environmental Engineering through the CUNY CREST High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering and Sciences (HIRES) Program, led by Founding Director, Dr. Shakila Merchant and the HIRES team. The program kicked off on June 30, 2025 and successfully wrapped up on August 14, 2025.
Filled with curiosity, our talented cohort began with an energizing orientation week where they heard inspirational talks from Dean Alexander Couzis, Grove School of Engineering, and Dr. Reza Khanbilvardi, Executive Director of CUNY CREST. They also gained valuable insights from HIRES alumni Kenneth Arguedas (2018) and Cheikh Seck (2024), toured the CCNY campus, and explored the wide range of research projects available to them.
Dean Alexander Couzis addressing the students during orientation
Over the course of seven weeks, students immersed themselves in advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) research on topics ranging from climate change and environmental justice to community-based research and technological innovation as well as participated in a series of engaging seminars and workshops.
In addition to research, students enhanced their technical skills by taking structured courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Mathematica, and Python, They gained invaluable field experience through exciting visit to the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC), the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) at Stony Brook University, and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.’s Energy & Environmental Resource Center, and developed confidence in communication and presentation by attending theatre-based public speaking workshops hosted by the Irondale Theatre Group.
Top-Students learning GIS with Dr. Said Mejia Manrique,
Bottom- Field trip to AERTC and CEWIT at Stony Brook University
For many of our students, it was their first time having a mentor, using advanced software, presenting to an audience, and stepping into world-class research labs. Through this hands-on research and professional development experience at CCNY via CUNY CREST HIRES, they built the skills and confidence to thrive in college and beyond.
After seven weeks of training, research, and professional skill-building, students, with their research mentors and faculty advisors, presented their innovative projects at two prestigious symposiums: Young Voices, Big Impact: The 2025 CUNY CREST HIRES Research Symposium at CCNY on August 13, and the New York City Science Research Mentoring Consortium Student Research Symposium at the American Museum of Natural History on August 14. These events marked the culmination of our students’ hard work and were attended by a large, diverse audience from across NYC’s STEM and non-STEM communities.
What makes CUNY CREST HIRES unique is that it is not just about research & learning, it is about building a community. Students formed friendships, discovered mentors, and created a sense of belonging that will last well beyond the summer. Reflecting on the program, Dr. Merchant shared, “In its 12th year, the program continues to make great strides. Each year, since its inception, new program elements are infused, making it better, more inclusive and creating a sense of community of STEM learning across the NY metropolitan region.” She added, “The HIRES community remains a lifelong network of support, inspiration, and opportunity, proof that a summer of science can create an impact that lasts a lifetime.”
As our students move forward, we celebrate their achievements and look forward to watching them grow, thrive, and lead.
