PTK at Bergen Community College

Lynne Kim (she/her) - Chapter President

Hello! My name is Lynne Kim and I am Phi Theta Kappa’s Chapter President of the 2023-2024 academic year. I am a Psychology student and hope to eventually pursue Law after completing a bachelor’s program; I am also a member of the Legal Studies Club, Philosophy Club, and Student Government. I am currently a tutor here on campus at the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center and plan on becoming a Supplemental Instruction Leader this upcoming fall! I also work part time as a lab technician at a compounding pharmacy and volunteer at a nursing home. I love being outdoors as much as possible, and if anyone needs a book recommendation, I promise I’ll always have one on hand!

Liangy Gomerez (they/them) - General Vice President

Hey everyone, my name is Liangy Gomerez or L for short. I am the current chapter VP and the acting VP of recruitment. I’m a Business major and have held many different roles here at Bergen; from being the president of Pride Club to being an athlete. I enjoy being physically active, reading, meditating and being one with nature. My philosophy in life is ‘Knowledge is the currency of life’ so if you ever wanna spare me some knowledge; I’m happy to listen and give back!

Shiwa Yangzom (she/her) - Vice President of Communications

Hi everyone! I am Shiwa Yangzom, Co-President of Judith K. Winn School of Honors’s Honors Association and Vice President of Communications on Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Board. My major is General Studies but I would like to pursue a degree in International Relations and Business in the future. On campus, I am involved in Student Government, frequent Philosophy Club, and work as a tutor at the Writing Center. Aside from school, I am an avid hiker, photographer, museum enthusiast, and a big foodie. On a typical day, you can catch me either in the PTK/Honors Lounge, Writing Center or at the library, so please feel free to come say hi!

Sara Krsteskaa (she/her) - Vice President of Finance

Amelia Urena (she/her) - Vice President of Service

Hi everyone! My name is Amelia Urena and I’m thrilled to be the Vice President of Service! My major is Business Administration and I plan to transfer and study management information systems. I’m also a member of the Outdoors Club here at Bergen! When I’m not focused on school, I have a big soft spot for cats and I volunteer at a nearby cat rescue! I’m also an avid collector of blind box figurines and in my spare time I love going to zoos and learning new things about different animals. I’m beyond excited to collaborate with everyone in PTK and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead and creating lasting memories along the way!

Roxanne Pham (she/her) - Director of Communications

Hello and welcome! My name is Roxanne and I’m one of the Directors of Communications for the PTK board. I’m currently majoring in Computer Science here at BCC and I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating this fall. Before coming to BCC, I grew up in Vietnam and spent most of my life there until I came to the U.S 2 years ago to pursue education, and I’m glad to have made that life-changing choice. I’m also a part of the STEM Student Scholars Program (3SP) internship this summer and a part of the Fashion Club. Outside of school, I enjoy spending my free time exploring new places, taking photos, strumming my little guitar and thrifting for cute items.

Amna Khan (she/her) - Director of Communications

Hi everyone! I am Amna Khan, Director of Communications on Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Board. I just completed my first year here at Bergen and am pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. I am involved in the STEM club and have participated and worked in the internship for the Brain Computer Interface Project. My hobbies include traveling, photography, and makeup/fashion. I am very passionate about medicine and aspire to help and take care of others in the future!

Daniela Benitez (she/her) - Director of Communications

Hello to anyone reading this! My name is Daniela Benitez. I am 19 years old. I am from Guayaquil, Ecuador and I moved to the United States in March 2022. During the fall semester I will take Communication classes because that is the major I will pursue. This is my second year at Bergen. On campus, I work as a peer tutor at the English Language Resource Center. 

A little bit about myself. I like reading novels- Jane Austen and Robert Louis Stevenson are my favorite authors. I like watching movies- any genre except for horror movies. I have a dog named Summer and she is the apple of my eye.

Mateo Armas (he/him) - Director of Recruitment and North District President for the Middle States Regional Officer team

Greetings everyone! My name is Mateo Armas. I serve as a director of recruitment for the general board, and I am also the North District President for the Middle States Region. I’m a computer science major, and even though I was not always the greatest fan of technology, I am interested in finding abstract solutions to problems. I will be the president of the Computer Technology Club starting from the fall of 2023, and I look forward to finding more activities to get involved in.

Micah Mendoza (she/her) - Director of Recruitment

Hi! My name is Micah Mendoza. I am a Director of Recruitment & the President of the Outdoors Club. I am majoring in environmental science engineering. I became more in tune with nature as I grew older. Forests and animals held a stronger hold on my heart than cities and technology. I am so excited to be a part of an organization that promotes progressive change & provides the upcoming generation with greater chances!

Panuha Were (he/him) - Director of Recruitment

Hello there! My name is Panuha Were, and I'm passionate about leadership and engineering. I'm the Director of Recruitment and serve as the President of the African Student Union. I'm a Senator in the Student Government Association and a member of the Black Male Alliance, where I advocate for student voices and promote inclusivity. I'm also contributing to the exciting Electric go-kart development project through the 3SP summer internship program. I'm majoring in engineering science and will graduate this Fall and transfer to a four-year institution. I love music, movies, anime, sports, and an excellent resting day. Let's work together to embrace the power of knowledge and make a positive impact through PTK.

Daniel Gajee (he/him) - Director of Finance

Hello, my name is Daniel Gajee! I am a Director of Finance here at PTK, as well as Vice president of BCC’s Outdoors club, and Treasurer/Membership Director of Fashion club. I also help out at Gallery Bergen over at West Hall. My major is  Biology and I plan to study Environmental science with the hopes of becoming an Ecologist as well as an Environmental lawyer. I am very passionate about collecting antiques, art in different forms, and learning about human behavior.

Sangyoon Kim (he/him) - Director of Finance

Hello, my name is Sangyoon Kim and I'm a 28 years old sophomore here at Bergen. I am currently studying Business and I’m planning to graduate spring of 2024. I hope to transfer to a 4 year college business school. My goal is to create my own sports business in the future. My hobbies are skiing and going to the gym. During my time on the board, I would want to learn and improve communication skills and ways to contribute to the community and the society. I have been in the United States for about a year and a half, so there is still a language barrier. However, the encouragement and warmth of PTK members inspired me to become a Director. Although I have many deficiencies, I will do my best to help PTK. Thank you! 

Hashim Cheema (he/him) - Director of Finance

Hello, my name is Hashim Cheema. I'm pleased to be a Director at PTK and to meet other directors. Currently I am in the finance team. I want to study in college finance and have hopes of breaking into the finance world wherever the opportunity is presented. Some of my interests include going to the gym, playing/watching soccer, and currently I have to work on my college application for the next few months. If I am busy then that will be the most probable reason, however, I look forward to working with everyone in PTK.

Ivy Fu (she/her) - Director of Finance

Hi my name is Ivy, I’m one of the member in the finance team, and I’m also a business major. I love music, my favorite band is Oasis, and I’m also a huge fan of Liam Gallagher (But I’ll still listen to some Blur’s songs though) I love the show “Wayne” that I watched it twice. In addition, I’m also a big fan of scary movies and music movies(not musical), one of the movies that I consider important in scary movies history will be “Evil Dead”. For music movies , I like “Sing Street ”and”Rocket man”. Not just that, I also like street art, that’s why my favorite spider man is Miles Morales, because he got a very cool suit, and the vide and art in the movie are just extraordinary. Even though I’m not the best at it, but I love to sing and play my guitar whenever I’m available.

Kaia DeAngelis (she/her) - Director of Finance

Hello! I am Kaia DeAngelis and I am going into my second year at BCC as a Business Administration major. I have a strong desire to create my own non-profit organization and help others so I really appreciate any opportunity that is presented to me that allows me to learn more and do my part. That is why I am a part of an internship through Bergen that is called the Small Business Consulting Program where I am a consultant that helps Small Business owners. As well as this, I am the Executive Secretary in the Student Government Association and love getting involved. More about me personally, I have loved Star Wars for a majority of my life and would love to talk to anyone about it! I also enjoy painting in my free time and will never get tired of eating ice cream because it is my favorite dessert (I am definitely a Cookie Monster fan but that is up for debate). Hope to see you around campus!

Elizabeth Kownacki (she/her) - Director of Service

Brianna Rodriguez (she/they) - Director of Service

Hello! I am Brianna Rodriguez, Director of Service for Phi Theta Kappa, and I am a Business Administration major at Bergen. I am also Co-Vice President of the JKW School of Honors Honors Association. Some of my interests include volunteering whenever possible, listening to heavy metal music (preferably Avenged Sevenfold and Mötley Crüe), tutoring in Writing, and playing video games when I am bored. I also like spending time with family and going on walks. A fun fact about me is that I am left handed, I have two cats, one dog, and over 50 Squishmallows! I am excited to become part of the PTK Board this year and help volunteer whenever I can.

Shayna Gentiluomo (she/they) - Director of Service

Hello! I’m Shayna Gentiluomo, a Director of Service on Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Board. I am a Chemistry major with one semester remaining before I graduate from Bergen, after which I intend to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a BS in Chemical Engineering. I am also a Peer Tutor with Bergen’s Cerullo Learning Assistance Center and a 3SP Scholar. I am currently participating in a research internship with NJIT’s Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Specifically, I’m helping Dr. Mark Zhao’s team as they research MXenes, an exciting new family of 2D materials with many potential applications such as energy storage, EMI shielding, sensors, and more .

I also hold a BA in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts. As you might expect, I love to paint and draw! In my spare time, I also love knitting, sewing, cooking, hiking, doing yoga, and fussing over my veggie garden. 

I applied to PTK’s board to contribute to our various volunteer/charity initiatives and connect with other bright, motivated students. I look forward to working with you all!

Goldie Radinsky (she/her) - Director of Service

Hello, my name is Goldie Radinsky and I am the Director of Service. Being very extraverted and gregarious, I love meeting new people. I don’t study well in silent isolated places and always go to loud noisy places to do school work and concentrate. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, biking, rollerblading, bird watching, animal watching, and nature. When I need a break from the stressors of school and life in general, I go to a duck pond and practice mindfulness. Right now, I am majoring in science.  I plan on becoming a nurse and a midwife in the future. I started to take a doula course and hope to receive certification shortly. Helping people and practicing and getting involved in social justice is what I love to do. I am so excited to help create service events! This year PTK’s Service is going to be awesome and I look forward to working with everyone!

Amanda Ciriello (she/her) - Director of Service

Hi everyone! I am Amanda Ciriello and I will be entering my second year here at Bergen Community College. I am currently majoring in Engineering Sciences and have also interned for the STEM Student Scholars Program here at Bergen. I love animals and I have one dog and two cats. In my free time I enjoy traveling, going to museums, and baking. I am so excited to be a Director of Service on the PTK board and dedicating my free time to helping out.

Fjona Dida (she/her) - Director of Communications

I am FJONA DIDA, Director of Communication on Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Board- Alpha Epsilon Phi 2023-2024 at BCC. Also, an international student from The Republic of Albania. My major is General Studies but I would like to pursue a degree whether in Business and Technology management or Cybersecurity. I am involved in Student Government Associations Club, Music Club, and International Students Club. I am a nature photographer, singer, songwriter and event organizer. I'm very passionate about helping others, critical thinking, and seeing things from more than one point of view; I have the potential, and the spirit of leadershipwhich I'm looking forward to showing, participating, and directing a position for Phi Theta Kappa!

Abdullah Alwan (he/him) - Director of Recruitment

Hello, My name is Abdullah Alwan. I am the director of recruitment for PTK for the fall. As a first-generation immigrant with roots in Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, and England, my global journey has fueled my passion for healthcare. interning with Pfizer this past summer, I dove deep into vaccine research. My major is Biology and I hope to transfer to complete my Bachelors and pursue Medical school in order to become an anesthesiologist. I'm proud to be part of the PTK Honor Society as it’s a valuable experience to connect with my peers. My hobbies include weight lifting, reading and cafe hopping. My major goal is to merge my diverse experiences with my academic pursuits, striving to make a significant impact in college and the medical field in the future

Jennifer Barrales (she/her) - Director of Communications

Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer Barrlales, but you can refer to me as Jenny. I am excited to start my position as Director of Communications for P.T.K.! I am majoring in Graphic Design and Computer Graphics, and I am the Vice President of the BCC Graphic Design Club. My favorite hobbies include listening to music, drawing, and running. I am also a massive enthusiast of anything involving art, flowers, Taylor Swift, and cats! Overall, I am beyond excited to start my position!