The 2025 Lehman SMILE (Students Mastering an Introductory Life Experience) Scholarship Award ceremony took place on May 1 with Provost Silva-Puras kicking off the celebration of the program's second cohort of 11 students. The pre-dental scholarship program includes a 20-hour externship at Columbia University Dental School this summer.

“What excites me most is the incredible motivation of our students, who are committed to their future careers and eager to succeed," said Professor Haiping Cheng (Biological Sciences), who helped initiate the program.

Launched in Spring 2023 through a partnership between the Schools of Continuing and Professional Studies and Natural and Social Sciences, the program was created in response to students seeking career-focused certifications to complement their academic degrees and improve their future job prospects.

Professor Cheng added, "This collaborative effort to establish the program demonstrates the college's unwavering commitment to student success."

For details about the Lehman SMILE program please contact Senior Pre-Health Advisor Lyda Williams, lyda.williams@lehman.cuny.edu, or Associate Director of Continuing Education, Kabreel McEachin, kabreel.mceachin@lehman.cuny.edu.