When Aleeza was deciding where to attend college, she already had a unique window into life at New York Tech. Her older sister was completing her undergraduate degree here before continuing in our College of Osteopathic Medicine. During high school breaks, Aleeza would sit in on lectures, walk the campus, and imagine herself as part of the community. She saw firsthand the rigorous academics, collaboration across disciplines, and deeply supportive environment that make the College of Arts and Sciences so special. Her decision was clear.

Aleeza knew early on that dentistry was her calling. As a child, she loved visiting the dentist. By high school, she was shadowing in an oral surgery office. Now, as a senior biology major, she works as a dental assistant while completing demanding coursework in biology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. 

Aleeza is not only pursuing her long-standing goal of becoming a dentist, but she is helping build opportunities for dozens of other students to do the same. At the end of her freshman year, she founded the Pre-Dental Society, with guidance from the Office of Student Life, where she also worked as a receptionist. With their support, she submitted a proposal for the club, recruited peers, and built a community from the ground up. Today, that community includes more than 130 members and a 13 -student executive board.

Now, Aleeza’s academic curiosity extends beyond just dentistry. She conducts research in Professor Fiorito’s medicinal chemistry lab, studying Alzheimer’s disease and its emerging links to oral health. She collaborates with faculty and students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine who have shown her the power of interdisciplinary learning and research-driven discovery.

Whether you are an alum or friend of the College of Arts and Sciences, you are part of a community that has provided students like Aleeza with the tools to succeed.