Meet Members of the Class of 2025

Class of 2025
Tanzeela Jahangir
MAJOR: GRAPHIC DESIGN | UX 

When Tanzeela Jahangir moved from a quiet village in Pakistan to New York City in 2022, everything felt unfamiliar. “Coming from a peaceful village to the most fast-paced and crowded city was a big transition—and a little challenging for me,” she said. But she came with purpose: to find the best education possible. 

Now, just two years later, she is graduating from Kingsborough Community College and preparing to take her next big step—as a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipient. The highly competitive national award will provide up to $55,000 per year to help her complete her bachelor’s degree. 

At Kingsborough, Jahangir majored in graphic design with a concentration in user experience (UX) design—a field that blends her creative interests with real-world problem-solving. “I love painting, drawing, calligraphy, arts and crafts, and designing,” she said. “When I combined those interests, I realized I could be a good UX designer.” 

Jahangir found a community of like-minded people when she joined Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society. She would eventually become its treasurer. “When I came to the U.S., I thought there was no appreciation for scholars. I’d planned to just complete my degree as soon as possible,” she recalled. “PTK gave me a base and the opportunity to dream more about life, specifically about my career. I realized that there was more to do at college than study. Not only were there are a lot of interesting activities—you could create your own environment. I started dreaming and enhancing my abilities by participating in everything I could.” 

She values how UX design allows her to understand and support people’s needs. That drive to help others shows in her campus involvement. Jahangir has participated in several sustainability and research projects, including a successful PTK campaign to add more refillable water stations on campus, and a NASA Space Apps Hackathon. She has also helped new students navigate college through her work with Phi Theta Kappa and the Achieving the Dream Student Success Committee on a “Road Map to Success.”  

“I like to be where things are happening,” she said. “Even just sitting with my professors and talking about what we could do as designers and social activists excites me.” 

Two professors—Dr. Midori Yamamura and Professor Nathan Cooper—have played an important role in her development. “Both are very supportive of their students—and both are multitaskers,” she said.” “Professor Yamamura inspires me to be resilient and humble. We meet almost every week and, in every meeting, she talks about something new she is working on. And Professor Nate always makes sure students are connected to opportunities. We’re always sharing new about events or innovations.”  

Her work has earned her a long list of honors in addition to the prestigious Cooke Scholarship, including the Coca-Cola Gold Scholarship, PTK Hites Scholarship, Gladys Brooks Foundation Award, the Student Ambassador’s Scholarship, and the Presidential Honor Scholars Certificate. She also served as a notetaker, tutor, and lab assistant in Kingsborough’s Access-Ability Tech Lab. 

This fall, thanks scholarships from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and the NYU Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP), Jahangir will transfer to NYU on full ride. She plans to major in interactive media arts and minor in social entrepreneurship. Her long-term goal is to become a UX designer and social innovator—possibly running her own business focused on community-centered design. “I don't see the point in entering the rat race of a traditional 9-5 job unless absolutely necessary,” she said. “I wish to proceed in life only with my passions and values.” 

Her advice for new students is simple: “Be confident and curious,” she said. “You might not see the big picture at first, but exploring and working hard provides you with countless opportunities.”