By Kate Salamida
Perseverance. Excellence. Exceptionality. These qualities not only describe the prestigious Norman R. McConney Jr. Award, but define its recipients — including SUNY Broome Health Science A.S. student Manahil Arshad, who is among 49 students system-wide to receive the prestigious honor in 2026.
Arshad, an Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) student, spent her childhood on Long Island, growing up with four siblings in a Pakistani American family, until moving upstate to Broome County during her junior year of high school.
“The move was not easy,” Arshad recalled. “It was very different from Long Island – I didn’t care much about making new friends, I kept to myself.”
That was until Aleen Ameen unknowingly made her way to Arshad’s life in the halls of Johnson City Highschool. “We would pass each other walking to class, and run into each other in the bathroom fixing our makeup,” Arshad laughed. “One day, we just started talking.”
From there, the rest is history. The duo quickly grew to be inseparable, becoming pillars in each other’s life. Whether it was running errands, or being each other’s date to the prom, their bond was unbreakable.
Aleen, a year ahead in her college career, took Arshad under her wing during her first semester at SUNY Broome. Both Health Science students, Ameen helped her choose her classes, build a new schedule, and even worked as a teaching assistant in Professor Hollister’s Anatomy Physiology class, which Arshad was enrolled in.
“Everyday I was there with her, she helped me get through it,” Arshad said. “It was the best semester I ever had.”
A week before spring semester began, Manahil’s life would completely change. Ameen was killed in a tragic motor vehicle accident while returning home from a pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Arshad received the devastating call while on her way to buy a gift for the celebration to welcome her best friend home.
“I’d never lost someone before her,” Arshad recalled. “I’ve never experienced that kind of loss.”
The blows kept coming: that same month, Manahil’s parents divorced, and her manager whom she loved also passed away. Despite the loss, and adversity, Manahil remained enrolled full-time and “kept going.”
“There were days I didn’t want to get out of bed, but I remembered my mom persevering through hardships and sacrifices, while raising five children,” Arshad recalled. “So I continued on, and kept reminding myself why I started.”
Now, Arshad’s inspiration comes from both her mother, and her late best friend. After Ameen’s passing, Manahil began wearing her hijab, and grew deeper in her faith. Though not with her physically, Aleen continues to be Arshad’s greatest motivation and her purpose to keep pushing forward.
“All the good energy she had, she passed on to me,” Arshad shared.
Her perseverance had paid off in the form of a major accomplishment: winning the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award. The award is presented to a student who has persevered through their educational journey, and when Manahil received the news that she was selected, she was shocked.
“I didn’t think I was deserving of this award,” she laughed “But I work very hard, and I am glad someone sees the hard work and cares and supports me.”
Manahil will be honored with the award at SUNY’s EOP Student Excellence ceremony on March 9 in Troy, NY. She credits much of her success to the support she has received at SUNY Broome – especially from Venessa Rodriguez, Director of EOP.
“She is a blessing,” Arshad raved. “I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Knowing Ameen and her family would be proud of her upward progress as a student, Arshad continues to carry on. On campus, she can be found studying for her next exam in the Natural Science Building, or working tirelessly as President of the Muslim Student Association. Currently, she is gaining hands-on experience working in emergency and trauma patient care tech. Arshad has ambitious dreams of one day becoming an anesthesiologist, and hopes to fulfill her best friend’s dream of opening her own clinic.
“I always keep her in my mind,” Arshad shared. “I always remember how she had big dreams; she wanted to help people.”
Through each challenge and victory, Arshad is honoring Ameen’s memory and continuing her legacy, while emulating the strength, resilience, and determination instilled in her by her mother.
Learn about the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Broome.
Tags: Educational Opportunity Program, Health Sciences Division, Health Studies AAS and AS, Profile, Student Profile, Women's History Month
