Iona’s Shakinah Silverberg ’24 Leads through Faith and Service as Student Government President
A biology major, Silverberg is also forging a path to become a veterinarian
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Fight The Good Fight is a saying we live by as Gaels, and Shakinah Silverberg ’24 epitomizes exactly that. A dynamic leader on and off campus, she embodies the true spirit of service through her involvement as a Campus Minister, Gael Guide and this year’s Student Government Association President.
“I decided to attend Iona because I wanted to go to a school where I felt like I mattered. At Iona, I always felt like I did,” said Silverberg, of The Bronx N.Y. “This school has allowed me to live out my faith and integrate it into my daily life, which is something that is very important to me. Through doing so, I have met so many like-minded individuals and made lifelong friends who have changed me for the better.”
Fueled by Iona’s faith-based principles, she currently leads a project called the Midnight Run, which distributes food and clothing to the homeless population on the streets of New York City. Her drive to make an impact doesn't stop there. She has embarked on two mission trips to St. Ann Jamaica and Freedom Farm in Middletown, N.Y., which involved providing resources to disadvantaged communities.
Silverberg has also bolstered her commitment to service through the scientific research group, Project Symphony. As a biology major, she also traveled to various conferences working side-by-side with Dr. Sunghee Lee, endowed professor.
“I plan to work at a vet's office and then become a vet myself,” she said. “Iona has prepared me for this as I have worked with so many different kinds of people here, and I feel like I understand better how to work with others and work in different places because of those whom I have met and my experiences here.”
Silverberg is also forging a path as a future veterinarian thanks to the Gaels Go Further Mentorship Program. Through this experience, Silverberg landed an internship at the Humane Society of Westchester gaining valuable hands-on-experience.
“I feel like in my major and hopeful career field of a veterinarian, I will be able to truly make an impact on people's and animals' lives alike by giving them the opportunity to be themselves again,” she said.
We talked recently with Silverberg to learn more about her Iona journey. Please enjoy!
Student Name: Shakinah Silverberg
Graduate Year: 2024
Hometown: Bronx, NY
High School: Cardinal Spellman High School
Major: Biology with a Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology
Minor: Chemistry and Italian
Clubs: Student Government Association, Campus Ministry, Gael Guides and Project Symphony Research Group
Favorite Spot: Montgomery House
Why did you decide to attend Iona?
I decided to attend Iona because I wanted to go to a school where I felt like I mattered. At Iona, I always felt like I did. People here remembered my name, welcomed me into their groups, and gave me opportunities to succeed from the second I expressed interest. I saw how close the students here were, and because the campus is so tight-knit, I knew that I would be able to form those bonds here as well.
What interests you most about your chosen course of study?
I am interested in Biology because I have always been intrigued by how the body works. Since starting as a biology major, I have not just been interested in the human body, but I have grown to care for animals as well. Seeing animals who cannot communicate for themselves when they are hurting or if they have an issue going from sickness to health is so fulfilling to me. I feel like in my major and hopeful career field of a veterinarian, I will be able to truly make an impact on people's and animals' lives alike by giving them the opportunity to be themselves again.
What distinct advantages have you gained from your Iona experience?
Iona's emphasis on faith-based learning has allowed me to go on two Mission Trips so far, and I am preparing to go on a third as well. My trips were to St. Ann Jamaica and Middletown, N.Y., at Freedom Farm. These experiences have been so unique and I would not have been able to find such genuine opportunities and people anywhere else. Both organizations were centered around giving the resources that they had to those less fortunate than themselves.
Have you interned anywhere? What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I have gained unique internship opportunities by coming to Iona. I worked with the Humane Society of Westchester over the summer due to the Gaels Go Further Mentorship Program and my amazing mentor, Cathy McCabe. I enjoyed the veterinarian I worked with who allowed me to have a lot of hands-on interactions with animals and let me watch her very closely so I would fully understand what her job entailed. I felt so prepared to learn more about my field after this experience and it encouraged me to apply to veterinary schools.
Tell us about your plans for the future.
I am looking to become a veterinarian in the future. I also want to continue volunteering in any way that I can. There are many great organizations out there that always need help wherever I may go, and even when I am employed full-time I want to give back with whatever time I have left. I ran a 5k at the beginning of the school year to support the volunteer firefighters in Tuckahoe. This may seem like a small cause, but I want to be able to give my time and whatever else I can to support good causes and those who are giving pieces of themselves to help others. This is also what I hope to do as a vet. I want to do a job that gives back and gives joy.
Is there a faculty or staff member who has made a positive impact on your future that you would like to mention?
Dr. Sunghee Lee has guided me so much throughout my college career. She invited me to join her laboratory group, Project Symphony, at the end of my freshman year, and I became deeply involved throughout my sophomore year and ever since. She has given me opportunities to travel, present research, and attend conferences. She has also shown me how a professor can do more than just teach you about a given subject such as chemistry, they can also give impactful advice based on their experience about how to go about finding internships, writing resumes, and things as simple as how to talk to people in certain fields/positions. She has truly been a mentor and been very good and patient with me and I appreciate the opportunities she gives me as well as the guidance and support as a student and as a person. Through her, I have seen how to take my balance between being a student/employee and being a person.
Is there anything else you'd like to add about your Iona experience?
I have met my best friends here. People who will be at my wedding and know my family. I am grateful for them and for how they have made me stronger in my faith throughout my time here. Sports games are fun, too. I particularly love to go watch volleyball games!