For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in psychology, hands-on research experience is often the single most transformative piece of their academic journey. Recognizing the vital role research plays in shaping career trajectories, retired long-time faculty member Dr. William Fishbein and his wife, Nassau Community College Professor Pnina Bright — herself a CCNY graduate who benefited from support funds that made it possible to achieve her professional goals — have made a high-impact donation to directly support current student researchers.
“Based on our many years of teaching, we know how critical such opportunities can be for undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing their academic and career goals,” Dr. Fishbein said.
“Often, CCNY students must choose between their studies and seeking outside employment to support themselves,” noted Psychology Department Chair Dr. Bob Melara. “This Fund will transform the research opportunities available to our students, enabling our most talented students to pursue their cutting-edge ideas while receiving financial support to initiate and complete their research projects.”
The funds are designed to be used flexibly, addressing the real-world financial demands students face while pursuing their degrees:
- – Dedicated Focus: Offers financial support so students can focus on their research rather than taking outside jobs unrelated to their career ambitions.
- – Resources & Materials: Covers essential costs for lab supplies, software, and research equipment.
- – Professional Growth: Provides travel funding to attend and present research findings at regional and national professional conferences.
By removing financial barriers, Dr. Fishbein and his wife’s generous contribution ensures that Colin Powell School students can fully immerse themselves in scholarly discovery, build competitive professional profiles, and present their work on national stages.
Your contribution in providing such opportunities by donating to the Psychology Student Research Support Fund would be more than welcome! Please contact Abigail Feder-Kane, Director of Development and External Relations at the Colin Powell School, at afederkane@ccny.cuny.edu to add your contribution to this fund.
