As Convocation nears, the Class of 2025’s student speakers prepare to take the stage, and share remarks and reflections on their time at Teachers College.
Learn more about this year’s honored student speakers — from TC’s education, health and psychology programs — and tune into their remarks during Convocation ceremonies on May 20 and 21.
Aisha Chahal (Ed.D. ’25, Nursing Education)
Homestate: Punjab, India
What Inspires Her: The persistence, tenacity and resilience of her nursing students. “[They] keep going, even when the odds are stacked against them,” says Chahal. “I feel so fortunate to be a nurse educator because it is getting the best of both worlds that I am passionate about, nursing and education.” The guidance and compassion she received at TC — as well as her extensive experience in education and healthcare both in India and the U.S. — informs Chahal’s practice as an instructor as she sees her past self in her students.
How She Makes a Difference: Chahal’s work as a passionate educator and researcher aims to address the pressing nursing shortage in the United States and around the world. Recognizing the importance of compassion and competence in patient care, her scholarship is dedicated to improving the humility and confidence of nursing students in caring for a diverse patient population.
Outside her teaching and research, Chahal is making an impact as President of Connecticut Chapter of National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA), where she works to instill a sense of belonging for immigrant nurses in the U.S. That kind of support is critical to ensure that their potential is not lost in the feeling of disorientation, according to Chahal. She is also collaborating with organizations that bring educational resources to underserved communities, like tribal and rural areas in India. “A lot of people want to become nurses, but they don't have resources or guidance, so I'm trying to support their dream,” she says.
What’s Next: After completing her course of study at TC, Chahal plans to continue as an Assistant Professor at Western Connecticut State University, educating future nurses to provide high-quality care to individuals, families and communities. Chahal will also continue her work with NAINA as chapter president.
Jude Fomeche (M.A. ’25, Social Organizational Psychology)
Hometown: Buea, Cameroon
What Inspires Him: Growing up in Cameroon, as well as his family and faith. “I have been blessed in life thus far and I’ve also been challenged. Both things affirm my faith and give me a sense of responsibility that, besides all the things that I want to accomplish professionally…I have to give back to this world and to help people,” says Fomeche.
How He Makes a Difference: Fomeche makes an impact on campus as Student Senate President, working with faculty, staff and other student leaders to develop policies, improve student resources and more. During his tenure as President, he supported the launch of TC NEXT’s Alumni Mentorship Program, which pairs alumni with early-career students. The lessons he learned as a Social Organizational Psychology student have been incredibly valuable in his role as a leader at TC. “I try to be the leader that I have been inspired by,” says Fomeche. “Whatever you can do for [your people] to make their job easier, that's what you're supposed to do.”
In addition to building a burgeoning career as an executive search professional, with a particular interest in sports leadership recruitment, Fomeche is also working to improve educational and sports opportunities for youth in his home country Cameroon.
What’s Next: After convocation, Fomeche plans to continue his work in the executive search industry at Russell Reynolds Associates, a firm where Fomeche interned. He also hopes to one day open a nonprofit academy for orphaned children in Cameroon, named for his late brother.
Vik Joshi (Ph.D. ’25, Philosophy and Education)
Hometown: Mumbai, India and New York City, New York
What Inspires Him: His commitment to education and democracy, which he views as inextricably linked. Joshi, who will become the first doctor in his family, is also inspired by the sacrifices of his grandparents and parents. “I know how lucky I am to hold this achievement for my family. Education is an invaluable inheritance but at the same time…I must honor the education I have received with a life-long commitment to serve communities across America, and beyond.”
How He Makes a Difference: Joshi is strengthening democratic values and building resilience to hate by empowering students of all ages through his research and practice. As Director of Research for the International Interfaith Research Lab, Joshi worked closely with Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, Associate Professor of Practice, to facilitate vital research on resilience, belonging and violence prevention, funded by the Department of Homeland Security. “My work alongside Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess, a hallmark of my doctoral journey at Teachers College, has spotlighted the pivotal role that educators and educational staff play in fortifying our resilience to hate and sustaining democracy across America.”
Additionally, Joshi’s work with the Bard Prison Initiative has brought educational opportunities to
incarcerated people in New York State. “I taught in a prison before doing so in middle schools
and high schools in America, but the transformative power and promise of education remained,
despite the punitive context,” he says. “I remain deeply committed to creating educational
environments where pedagogy, not punishment, is prioritized because education is, in essence,
a liberatory experience.”
What’s Next: After Convocation Joshi intends to rest and recuperate with his family before resuming his commitment to empower communities, strengthen democracy and continue teaching.
Jasmine McElroy (Ed.M ’25 Mental Health Counseling, M.A. ’25 Psychological Counseling)
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio
What Inspires Her: The resilience, compassion and drive of human beings, especially people with marginalized identities. “I am amazed by the beauty of the human spirit, even during challenging times,” she says.
How She Makes a Difference: As a clinical resident for a private practice, McElroy is providing a diverse set of therapy clients with evidence-based care for conditions like anxiety, depression and functional impairment, something she aims to continue throughout her career. “I hope to make an impact…through empathetic, informed, equitable, genuine therapeutic care,” she says. As an Alma Empowering Minds Scholar — a program providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities to graduate students from marginalized backgrounds — McElroy is a part of a network of holistically trained professionals committed to inclusive and compassionate mental health care.
McElroy has made a significant impact on her TC peers as a Wellbeing & Belonging fellow in the Office of Graduate Student Life & Development. During her time in the role, she provided mentoring and emotional support for leaders of school organizations, and represented her fellow masters students in other working groups.
What’s Next: McElroy plans to enjoy a short break before continuing her work serving individuals with marginalized identities as a mental health counselor at a therapy private practice.