Race to 100 Alumni

Kumar Ramlakhan

KCC Class of 2014
Major: Nursing
Current Title/Profession: RN at NYU Langone Hospital

Nominated by: Dan La Noue

“Scholarship support helps KCC students grow to become great, productive human beings, because they pay their gratitude forward in their own lives.  I know this firsthand.” –

At just 32 years old, Kumar Ramlakhan ’14 is already a rising star in his career field. He has previously been recognized for his achievements in nursing and has received the “Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses” for his skilled, compassionate work at the NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn Heights: “I was born in BK and educated in BK,” he says. “When I became certified as a nurse, I knew that I had to give back to the underserved communities of my native borough.”  

Years before the professional accolades, though, Kumar was struggling financially as a KCC student.   As the first member of his family to attend college, he had no shortage of motivation, and he seized every opportunity he could: “I knew I had to hit the ground running,” he says, vividly recalling his first day on the KCC campus. “I spent that afternoon exploring the college, getting brochures from every program and resource—Honors, the Nursing Department, the Career Center, you name it.” This persistence paid off, as Kumar quickly established himself as an Honors Student and became involved with student organizations on campus.

Unfortunately, even Kumar’s exceptional talent and diligence could not insulate him from the #1 obstacle community college students face: financial adversity. “My parents were so proud of me, because by attending Kingsborough I was reaching for a dream no one in my family had ever achieved. But I do not come from a wealthy family, so they were unable to help me financially.” 

As a nursing major, Kumar’s road to graduation was particularly daunting, as the rigors of the program take an exceptional toll on both time and finances. While students majoring in other disciplines may have the time to pursue employment, nursing students like Kumar seldom do, as the program extends far beyond the parameters of the school-day to include lab and clinical work.  

Thankfully, a lifeline was within reach. Through the KCC Foundation, Kumar received scholarships that allowed him to better pay tuition; afford textbooks and supplies; and cover the daily costs of meals and transportation. “In the same way that the scholarships helped me, I help patients every day as a nurse to overcome their difficulties.  his is my way of paying KCC’s generosity forward, though I hope to one day establish my own scholarship for KCC students as well.” Kumar is living proof that no obstacle—be it financial difficulty or being a first-generation college student—is insurmountable, so long as scholarships and other resources are available to those who need and deserve them the most.

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