Watson College Scholars welcome sixth cohort
Started in 2021, the program offers support, educational opportunities, and financial support to undergraduates
The Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science welcomes its sixth cohort for the Watson College Scholars Program for 2026-27.
Started in 2021, the program offers support, educational opportunities, and financial support to aid undergraduates who are strong candidates for graduate study and a professional career in engineering or computer science.
Donors and industry sponsors provide funding. Lead sponsors for 2026-27 are James Bankoski ’91 and Heather Bankoski; Bloomberg LP; Toyota Material Handling North America; the Avangrid Foundation; and Subhachandra Chandra, MS ’95, and Nandita Dukkipati.
This year’s cohort answered a few questions about themselves.
Alexander ‘Sasha’ Asinovsky
Hometown: Owego, New York
Major: Electrical engineering
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
It represents the start of a new chapter at Binghamton. Arriving at Binghamton this fall as a transfer student in electrical engineering, one challenge I will face is quickly adapting to the new environment. Being recognized as a Watson College Scholar gives me more confidence that I can hit the ground running.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I highly look forward to the classes I'll be taking and the new people I'll meet. My former institution was a smaller, tight-knit college. Stepping into Binghamton, I believe the diversity and wealth of cultures to be found there will give me new perspectives.
Igor Zon DeSouza
Hometown: Mineola, New York
Major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
To me, being selected as a Watson College Scholar means having access to a community that encourages growth and learning. I'm excited by the opportunity to build relationships with mentors and peers, explore new opportunities, and continue developing both inside and outside the classroom.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I'm excited to find a community at Binghamton where I can grow both academically and personally. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, building lasting friendships, getting involved with Cru, and learning from the students and faculty around me. Outside of academics, I'm excited to explore Binghamton by discovering new food spots and making the most of my college experience.
Amir Elhadraoui
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Projected major: Mechanical engineering
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
It serves as an opportunity to grow through mentorship and collaboration while also preparing me to become a better engineer and leader. It is a great honor to be presented with this offer, and I am truly grateful.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
Being able to start a new chapter in my life. I find the idea of starting fresh extremely motivating and exciting in the sense that I can grow into the best version of myself with new roots.
Edgar Galeana Garcia
Hometown: The Bronx, New York
Projected major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
It is a way of letting me know my hard work is paying off, to keep pushing, and that I am not alone on this journey in my career.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
All the internships and different opportunities I can apply for that can help me advance in my journey. I don't want to let all those opportunities go to waste, and I want to prove that I belong.
Sharon Gao
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Projected major: Undecided
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
A door to a more immersive engineering community. A big appeal of STEM for me is the people, their vast ideas and creativity, and how interacting with them can help me expand my own. I look forward to meeting everyone and making new friends!
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
The independence that college life entails in general. It’s all very exciting for me — this process of becoming a young adult.
Rohan Gupta
Hometown: Ithaca, New York
Major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
People who have never met me before decided to invest in me before I've even taken a single college class. I've mostly been figuring out computer science on my own, so having mentors and a group of like-minded students is something I haven't really had before. I'm grateful for this opportunity and excited to make the best of it.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I'm really looking forward to making new friends as well as getting to know professors who have been doing this a lot longer than I have. I know that a lot of what I learn is going to come from the people around me, not just from class.
Anh ‘Jessica’ Ha
Hometown: New York City
Major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
I am so excited to be a Watson College Scholar because it means having the opportunity to begin my college journey with a strong and supportive community beside me. I feel a lot less intimidated to begin my journey in computer science as a woman in STEM from a low-income background. I hope to learn from my peers and mentors and use those experiences to grow both personally and professionally. My long-term goal is to contribute to the aerospace industry through applied AI.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I am looking forward to making new friends and exploring the world of computer science with other like-minded students! Binghamton University will be where my first memories as a young adult lie, and I’m excited to make the most of it.
Hailey Harvey
Hometown: Hempstead, New York
Major: Computer engineering
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
Being a Watson Scholar means being in a community of people who share similar interests and goals as myself about pursuing STEM as a career.
I started off at Binghamton as an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) student, and it has allowed me to have a community of people who have had similar struggles as myself. I am able to ask for advice and guidance from my peers in the program on how to manage the stress of classes and how to get the most out of my time here at Binghamton.
However, I haven't always been able to find peers who share my interest in technology. With the Watson Scholars, I will be able to network with people who have had experience taking STEM classes and working in the field. I can gain more information on the various possible paths that can be taken with an engineering degree and a passion working with and creating computers and devices.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
My favorite experience so far is attending the various clubs and organizations meeting and events. You can learn so much about people from all kinds of backgrounds and interests. For example, I have gone to the Women in Tech club and the National Society of Black Engineers to speak with people who are pursuing interesting specialties in tech that I have never heard of. Learning about these possibilities shows that there is a surplus of opportunities in STEM. The many different clubs available at Binghamton have enabled me to network and share my other interests and hobbies, and have become a way to de-stress from classes.
Justin Liang
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Mechanical engineering
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
I get to join a community of students and faculty members that prioritize helping each other out. In this program, I hope to make friends and learn even more about the mechanical engineering industry.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I'm most looking forward to meeting and connecting with everyone in the Binghamton community. I can't wait to explore more about this school and meet everyone on campus!
Julio Cedric Tapia Espinoza
Hometown: Salinas, Ecuador
Projected major: Mechanical engineering
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
I am honored to be selected as a Watson College Scholar, and I view their belief in me as a powerful validation of my dedication. Dedication that will only grow by joining a community of innovative, driven peers and receiving the mentorship necessary to flourish at such an amazing institution.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I am most looking forward to taking advantage of Watson College’s hands-on project opportunities and collaborative research environment. I am excited to collaborate with passionate professors and student teams that are no longer limited to just the U.S. I look forward to taking part in programs and internships abroad that will be future, extraordinary experiences.
Yosmely ‘Mely’ Vasquez
Hometown: The Bronx, New York
Major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
My efforts being recognized as I conquer the next stage of my life. I’m incredibly excited to meet the rest of the scholars and to be in a community with people as passionate and driven as I hope to be.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
I’m most looking forward to connecting with everyone on campus — students, faculty, staff; it doesn’t matter. I want to be as out there as I can!
Andy Wong
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Projected major: Computer science
What does being selected as a Watson College Scholar mean to you?
I am joining a community of passionate engineers who can make an impact. As a first-generation student, being a Watson Scholar can open doors to opportunities I once thought were out of reach. Having this recognition motivates me to continue pushing myself and use what I learn to help others.
What are you most looking forward to at Binghamton University?
Getting involved in undergraduate research and collaborating with fellow Watson students. This fall, I'm excited to participate in the First-Year Research Immersion program and learn how I can gain the experience needed to solve real-world problems. Whether it's research, student organizations, or internships, I hope to contribute to the Binghamton community and grow as an engineer.