Our Scholars

Click on the gallery below to learn more about our incredible scholars and how the Foundation has transformed their lives! We feel privileged to have supported their journeys and are oh so proud of their accomplishments.

Dominique Campbell

Our first scholar, Dominique Campbell, graduated in 2006, worked at Walt Disney World, returned to the CIA for her B.A. degree (’09) and works as a pastry chef at Citifield.

Melissa Montalbano

Our next scholar, Melissa Montalbano, graduated in ’08, worked at Olana in New York City and, in addition to spending time with her young sons, has a private cake baking business.

Santo Saitta

Santo Saitta graduated in April ’10, worked at Pasticceria Bruno and at Daniel Boulud's Boulud Sud. He competed in the Junior Pastry World Cup in Rimini, Italy, finishing fifth in the world! He currently runs Patrizia Restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Jessie Kuznitz

Jessie Kuznitz graduated in January 2014, continued at the CIA to complete her B.A., graduated Summa cum Laude and is about to get married this summer!

Sara Montesdeoca

Sara Montesdeoca graduated from the CIA in 2016 and is working at Colson Patisserie, the renowned Belgian bakery in Brooklyn.

Nicole Carlini

Nicole Carlini graduated from The CIA in 2018, worked at Dominique Ansel Bakery (birthplace of the Cro-nut!) and is currently working at Hudson Valley Foies Gras.

Jahqyad Austin

Jahqyad Austin graduated from the CIA after spending his externship at Eleven Madison Park. He has also worked with Daniel Boulud, and was just selected to be one of three C-CAP Alums to be a James Beard Fellow, starting a 10 week Residency at The James Beard House in NYC.

Check him out at https://jahqyadaustin.wixsite.com/cheftobe

Leslie Villalva

Leslie Villalva, our 2020 Scholarship recipient is pursuing her studies at the CIA!

Reece Orakwue

Our newest scholar, Reece Orakwue is graduating from Long Island HS, and will be Attending The CIA in the fall!

C-CAP Founder Richard Grausman

Here's David and Jordon at the 2022 C-CAP Benefit with C-CAP Founder RICHARD GRAUSMAN, along with RFF Scholarship recipients Jahqyad Austin and Leslie Villalva

Arianna Valentino

Arianna is our 10th CCAP Scholarship recipient, and she recently began her studies at the CIA in Fall '24. We can't wait to see what she does next!

Alyssa Dubrow

Sydney Hamer

One of this year’s scholarship recipients is Sydney Hamer, whose journey to the CIA embodies resilience and determination. Despite overcoming the challenges of Wilm’s Tumor, a childhood cancer, and an auditory processing deficit from a young age, Sydney’s unwavering love for baking propelled her toward her dream of becoming a pastry chef. With the support of the Russell Ferber ’02 Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Sydney is now empowered to pursue her passion without the burden of financial hardship, carving her path toward graduation in 2025. Sydney’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact of philanthropy in shaping the lives of our students.