WASHINGTON, DC February 16, 2021 – William A. Keyes, president of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, announces scholars who have been selected to participate in the inaugural class of the New York Collegiate Institute, Sponsored by Select Equity Group.

The New York Collegiate Institute is in intensive program for some of the best and brightest African American male students attending colleges and universities in New York. They come together every other Saturday during the academic year and meet with individuals in a wide variety of career fields, participate in professional and leadership development workshops, and discuss some of the pressing issues of today. Many of the speakers who will engage them are alumni of the Institute’s Washington Program.

Institute alumni include Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, and the recipients of numerous other prestigious academic awards. They have received PhD’s, MD’s, JD’s and MBA’s, and they are working in a wide range of fields, such as pastors, doctors, lawyers, teachers and college professors, and investment bankers.

The inaugural class represents a variety of schools and professional aspirations. They attend Baruch University, Fordham University, New York University, Wagner College, and York College of the City University of New York.

“The achievements of our alumni indicate that our program is working. I created the Institute to provide the most talented African American male students the kind of support they need to reach their enormous potential. We place them in a powerful network of talented men who can support them as they pursue extraordinary success for reasons that are bigger than themselves,” said Bill Keyes. Keyes welcomed the first class of scholars to Washington in 2003.

The program is sponsored by Select Equity Group, a New York-based investment management firm.

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New York Collegiate Institute, Sponsored by Select Equity Group

Class of 2021

Markens Aris majors in Economics at New York University. He is a research assistant in the Center for Social Media and Politics, the membership chair of Gentleman of Quality, Events Chair for the Academic Achievement Program, and a College Leader for the College of Arts and Sciences. Markens intends to pursue a career in law after graduation. His hometown is Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Jeremiah Bonnet majors in Sociology with minors in Africana Studies, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and Chemistry at New York University. His goal is to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. He has shadowed doctors at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, served as a pediatric neurosurgeon emergency room volunteer at Boston Medical Center, and participated in a summer health professions education program at Howard University. At NYU, he is a Dean’s Honors Scholar, Presidential Honors Scholar and participates in the NYU Academic Excellence Program. His hometown is Sharon, Massachusetts. [Jeremiah has also been admitted to the Washington summer Institute.]

Hamilton Brooks majors in History at New York University. He has also studied Art and Political Science at NYU Madrid. He has interned at the Carnegie Council on Ethics, Harvard Library, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, NAACP, and the Democracy Initiative. He currently serves as the Field Director of GenVote, where he led voter engagement efforts at NYU. Before NYU, he served as Student Body President at the Potomac School. His hometown is Woodbridge, Virginia. [Hamilton has also been admitted to the Washington summer Institute.]

Nicholas Cartwright-Atkins majors in Business at Wagner College. He is a member of the football team, serves on the Community Standards Review Board, and participates in the Men of Color Initiative. After graduation, he hopes to become an investment banker. His hometown is Moorestown, New Jersey.

Jehmehl Fair majors in accounting at Baruch University where he is a member of the Macaulay Honors Program.  He is also a member of the varsity basketball team and volunteers for the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  He serves as a mentor in the Mentorship Project. Jehmehl will intern for Deloitte this upcoming summer in New York. After graduation, he plans to become a Certified Public Accountant. His hometown is Jamaica, New York.

Ron Hall majors in Politics and Economics at New York University. He is a Presidential Honors Scholar and was elected to serve as class president during his freshman and sophomore years.  He is also a peer mentor in NYU’s Academic Achievement Program. Ron is also a member of the Track and Field team.  He intends to attend law school and pursue a career in law. His hometown is Grand Prairie, Texas. [Ron has also been admitted to the Washington summer Institute.]

Ademola Ogunsanya majors in Finance at New York University. He is a mentor for the Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program and the Academic Achievement Program. After graduation, he intends to become a consultant. His hometown is Bronx, New York.

Shaquille Profitt majors in English and is a Pre-Law minor at York College of the City University of New York, where he is a Student Ambassador and a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar. He has interned with Congressman Gregory Meeks and New York State Assemblyman David Weprin. He aspires to become a United States Attorney and later a federal judge. His hometown is Coram, New York. [Shaquille has also been admitted to the summer Institute.]

Juan Rodriguez majors in Finance at Fordham University. He and his team were named Consulting Cup finalists out of the 90 teams that participated. Juan also participates in the Fordham Marketing Association and works in the Modern Languages and Literatures office. After graduation, he hopes to become a financial advisor. His hometown is Bronx, New York.