Aliyah Adnan Khan’s light burns bright, serving as a beacon for others across the Farmingdale State College (FSC) campus community and beyond.
“I’m kind of known for being the positive person,” she said. “I need to make the most of life. And once I have my mind set on something, I have to do it. I will push for it.”
Adnan Khan’s remarkable spirit has been the driving force behind multiple campus initiatives benefiting dozens of fellow students in academics, community service, and mental health. She shares that her resolve, ambition, and compassion for others arose after overwhelmingly losing both her biological parents nearly a year apart when she was just 6 and 7 years old.
“It’s a big part of me,” said Adnan Khan, who was adopted by her aunt and uncle and grew up the youngest of four in Dix Hills, New York “It’s part of my story and part of what I want to do in the future.” She adds that the care and attention she received from her family, as well as at school, helped her heal while forging aspiration.
“I’m endlessly grateful to my family. Their love gave me strength and reminded me that even in the hardest moments, I was never alone,” she said. “Everything I do is a reflection of the support they gave me. And I had two really impactful teachers in my life. They both made me feel like they stood by me. Children spend more than half of their waking hours with their teachers, so teachers can play a pivotal role in a child’s life. That’s a big, big deal. I’m really passionate about that. And I know I want to be that kind of teacher who’s able to help someone through challenges.”
“FSC has been incredibly supportive of my journey in STEM. Having a circle of people who believe in you makes all the difference.” Aliyah Adnan Khan, '26
Now an FSC dual degree student in applied mathematics and applied psychology, Adnan Khan is a standout in the College’s Honors, S-STEM Scholarship, and Research Aligned Mentorship Programs. She received an FSC Community Service Award in 2023 and an FSC Phenomenal Womyn Award, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence Student Leadership Recognition Award, and the United University Professions College Scholarship Award in 2024.
“FSC has been incredibly supportive of my journey in STEM,” she said, referring to the acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. “As a dual degree student, I’m able to complete both degrees within four years. This has been made possible thanks to the outstanding administration and student opportunity programs at Farmingdale. Having a circle of people who believe in you makes all the difference.”
On campus, Adnan Khan leads as founder and president of the College’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter, which was voted 2024 Best New Student Organization of the Year and Adnan Khan the 2025 Club President of the Year. She is also co-founder and co-president of the Honors Student Association and co-secretary of the Supporting Women in Computing Club.
“Aliyah brings so much heart to everything she does, especially through her work with NAMI,” said Lukas Miedreich, FSC director of student activities. “She’s created a much-needed space where students feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard. On top of that, her leadership shows just how committed she is to building inclusive, empowering communities across campus.”
“What makes Aliyah stand out is her dedication,” agreed Sarina Turbendian, RAM Program operations manager and academic advisement assistant. “Aliyah truly goes above and beyond in everything she pursues.”
“There is no end to what Aliyah is capable of accomplishing in this life,” said Dylan Gafarian, PhD, acting dean of extended and experiential learning.
Beyond FSC, Adnan Khan plans to pursue a doctorate in education, stay resilient, and continue making a positive impact in her community.
“I want to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, just as my teachers did for me,” she said. “I want to be able to help make the world a better place—it’s just something that’s always been very dear to me. And it’s something that I want to continue to do throughout my life.”
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