Yonkers, NY –August 8, 2025 – The Albanian American Educators Association (AAEA) is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Lukaj Student of Excellence Scholarship. Originally intended for five students, the overwhelming talent and academic excellence of the applicants led the AAEA to award eleven scholarships, each in the amount of $5,000 to exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence, contributions to our community and are pursuing service careers.
The AAEA is honored to support these exceptional young adults as they pursue their academic dreams. The scholarship recognizes not only their outstanding achievements to date but also the ambitious academic goals they have set for the future.
“We were incredibly impressed by the caliber of all the applicants this year,” said Jacqueline Kapaj-Vieira, president for the AAEA. “The competition was intense, making it clear that we needed to expand the number of awards to truly acknowledge the remarkable academic dedication and potential within our community. We are so proud of our youth, their accomplishments, and the goals they have set for their futures, and we are happy to play a part in their educational journeys.”
The AAEA extends its deepest gratitude to the Lukaj Foundation for their profound generosity and unwavering support. Their commitment to growth and development within our community has made it possible for the AAEA to empower these bright, deserving students and invest in the future leaders of our community.
Ms. Joana Avrami
Emory University
Major: Masters of Medical Science in Anesthesiology
A first-generation Albanian-American, pursuing a Master of Science in Anesthesia, is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to her family and community. Having witnessed family members’ battle cancer, she is motivated to improve patient care and contribute to scientific research. She is a graduate of Harvard University where she received an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Interactive Biology with a language citation in Latin. To fund her education, she has worked multiple jobs since high school, including tutoring, retail, and serving as a teaching assistant at Harvard. Joana has worked as part of a research team at Harvard University investigating the circuits that connect the cardiovascular system to the brain and has presented her research at prestigious scientific conferences.
Her commitment to leadership and service is evident through her past roles, such as serving as Social Chair of Harvard’s Albanian Students Association and volunteering at a hospital’s infusion unit. She also tutors adults for their U.S. citizenship exams and plans to continue mentoring young Albanian students interested in healthcare.
Growing up in a strong Albanian community in Boston, she developed a profound appreciation for her culture and learned the importance of giving back. She aims to use her bilingual skills to provide comfort and support to Albanian-speaking patients, particularly during vulnerable medical procedures.
Mr. Arian Berisha
Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Science
Major: Masters in Financial Engineering
Arian Berisha is a first-generation Albanian-American with a deep understanding of risk, shaped by his family’s journey to the U.S. from Kosovo and his experience managing a $2 million student investment fund at his alma mater. He recently graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Fordham University and will be attending Columbia University’s Master of Financial Engineering program to pursue his passion for data-driven methods in finance.
As the portfolio manager for his university’s student-managed investment fund, Arian learned to navigate the fine line between conviction and reason when making asset allocation decisions. His experience in the financial world extends to a consulting internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he led risk reviews for a bulge bracket bank. He also guided high school students in a consulting competition as part of a Fordham University outreach program.
Arian is committed to giving back to his community. He served as treasurer for the Albanian Student Association (ASA), where he helped organize events to strengthen cultural connections and support fellow students. He was also inspired to help others after witnessing the financial struggles his family faced due to his father’s health emergency.
Looking to the future, Arian aspires to work as a quantitative research analyst and eventually launch a intech company that uses AI to bridge the gap between institutional resources and underrepresented communities. He hopes to one day mentor young Albanians who are pursuing similar paths, passing on the same support and generosity that he has received.
Ms. Hana Buçinca, Phar.D.
Montclair State University
Major: Masters in Business Analytics
Hana Bucinca, a native of Kosovo, is pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics at Montclair State University with a clear mission: to use data-driven solutions to improve her country’s fragile healthcare system. Her experience in healthcare policy and programming has shown her that while the will for change exists, the ability to turn data into effective, actionable strategies is limited. She aims to bridge this gap by combining her analytical expertise with her deep understanding of public health to create long-term, sustainable reforms in Kosovo and other resource-limited regions. Her background spans molecular pharmacology, neurotoxicology, pharmaceutical nanotechnology, and public health, with research collaborations at institutions such as Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dartmouth University, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Hacettepe University – where she also earned her pharmacy degree.
Hana’s leadership journey began at Action for Mothers and Children (AMC), where she rose to Acting Head of the Programs Department. In this role, she led impactful, nationwide projects supported by international organizations like the EU, UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF. One of her most significant achievements was expanding the Cervical Cancer Screening Program, which provided life-saving services to over 15,000 women and helped shape national healthcare policy. Her work also focused on integrating cervical cancer screening into primary care and co-developing legislation on reproductive health.
Equity and inclusion are central to Hana’s approach. She has led initiatives that engaged marginalized communities and built multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure that vulnerable voices are heard. Her commitment to service also extends to education, as she spent six years as a teaching assistant at the College of Medical Sciences – Rezonanca, mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Born and raised in an Albanian community, Hana’s identity and values are deeply influenced by her heritage. She aims to use her expertise to enhance healthcare services in Kosovo and represent her community with pride. Despite financial challenges that prevented her from attending Ivy League institutions, she remains focused on her academic and professional goals. She plans to return to Kosovo to lead equity-focused initiatives, institutionalize data-driven decision-making, and serve as a catalyst for sustainable healthcare reform.
Ms. Diana Gegaj
University of Florida
Major: Biology & Nutrition
Diana’s journey began in Pristina, Kosovo, where her grandfather, a chemistry professor, taught her about the universe not through myths, but through the science of molecules. He sparked a lifelong curiosity in her, inspiring her to always ask “why.” His lessons laid the foundation for everything she would later become. After losing her grandfather to cancer, Diana made a promise to help others, and this became her guiding purpose. Now an honors student at the University of Florida, Diana is double-majoring in Biology and Nutrition. Her research focuses on muscle wasting in cancer patients—a condition that tragically affected her grandfather. Beyond her studies, she founded the Albanian Student Association at UF to help other students navigate life in a new country, something she experienced firsthand after moving to the U.S. without knowing the language. She also serves as the Head of Medical Webinars for Shoqata Akademike dhe Profesionale Shqiptare (SAPS), and the Albanian American Medical Society ( AAMS), connecting Albanian pre-meds with physicians. Through the Freedom Clinic and Equal Access Clinic’s Mobile Food Pharmacy, she leads weekly health outreach and food distributions, giving back to underserved communities.
This fall, Diana will present a clinical case report on sepsis at the Albanian American Medical Society (AAMS) conference. Her ultimate goal is to return to Kosovo and Albania as a physician to practice medicine, teach, and create the healthcare access her grandfather never had.
As she puts it, “I am not pursuing a title; I am fulfilling a purpose. My path is a tribute to my people, to the patients I serve, and most of all, to the man who taught me to find my way by the light of the stars.”
Ms. Klodiana Kastrati
Teachers College, Columbia University
Major: Masters in Comparative International Education
Klodiana Kastrati is a first-generation Albanian-American and the daughter of Kosovo War refugees, whose background fuels her passion for educational equity. She has been accepted into Columbia University’s Comparative International Education master’s program, where she will focus on human rights, emergencies, and peace building. Her goal is to develop policies that expand educational access and equity in Kosovo and Albania. Her passion for education can be traced back to her childhood, as she became increasingly aware of the privilege she had to be raised in a country of peace and opportunity, while her family in Kosovo and Montenegro faced the harsh realities of the war. This experience has shaped her mission to promote equity in education worldwide, especially in regions like those where her family comes from.
A Dean’s List student at the University of Delaware, Klodiana was a Fulbright English Teaching grant recipient in Kosovo, where she taught at the collegiate level and supported students and staff affected by the war. She also worked as a student recruiter for American Councils for International Education,
seeing firsthand how U.S. exchange programs transform students from underserved communities into leaders.
Klodiana holds an M.S. in Childhood and Special Education from Touro University, She teaches full time in NYC schools. In this role, she implemented emotional support centers and differentiated instruction, leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes. She actively participates in multiple school committees, including the Instructional Leadership Team, Culture Committee, Teacher Team, and Student Activities Club.
Her long-term goal is to work in international education policy, ultimately returning to Kosovo and Albania to lead equity-focused initiatives. For Klodiana, this scholarship is more than financial support; it’s an affirmation of her mission to advance educational justice through research and advocacy.
Ms. Vesiana Malaj
St. John University
Major: Bio Chemistry Science
As a Biomedical Sciences major, Vesiana is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to her community, a value instilled from a young age while translating for her parents at doctor’s appointments. These experiences shaped her view of medicine not just as a science, but as a space where patients should feel safe and understood.
Vesiana’s commitment to helping others shines through in every aspect of her life. As a tutor and collaborative leader at her school’s University Learning Commons (ULC), she quickly earned a reputation for building trusting relationships with students. Right from the start, her tutoring schedule was booked 90% of the time, a testament to her exceptional knowledge and ability to patiently guide students through complex subjects like chemistry.
Students frequently return for her academic support, citing her effective communication and supportive approach in feedback surveys. In addition to her role at the ULC, Vesiana also served as a Chemistry Peer Leader, leading weekly group sessions. Her ability to professionally balance these demanding commitments with her academics, while also remaining responsive to administrative requests, highlights her dedication and reliability.
Vesiana successfully founded the Albanian Culture Club, which now has over 50 members and provides a space for students to connect with their heritage.
Vesiana is also the Events Coordinator for the Red Cross Club and a mentor for the Shoqata Akademike dhe Profesionale Shqiptare (SAPS), where she guides Albanian high school students through the college application process—a role that feels especially personal as the oldest in her family, having navigated the process with little guidance. Additionally, Vesiana is involved in psychology and bioinformatics research. Her ultimate goal is to become a doctor who not only treats illness but also builds trust with patients, particularly those who feel lost in the healthcare system. powerful blend of personal ambition and a deep-seated commitment to uplifting his community.
Ms. Ballina Prishtina
Harvard University
Major: Masters in Public Policy
Ballina Prishtina is a Masters in Public Policy candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Born in New Jersey and raised in Prishtina, Kosovo, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023 with a degree in Political Science and Diplomatic History. While at Penn, she successfully advocated for the university’s first Albanian language course, which launched in Spring 2024. Ballina has held positions and internships with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and the U.S. Department of State, where she worked in legislative affairs under Secretary Antony Blinken.
Growing up as the child of Albanian refugees, Ballina witnessed the creation of Kosovo as a sovereign country and the international debate surrounding its recognition. These experiences instilled in her a commitment to giving a voice to weaker parties in conflict, a principle she plans to carry into her graduate studies at the Harvard Kennedy School.
At the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied political science and history, Ballina was deeply dedicated to her roots. As President of the Penn Albanian Society, she successfully petitioned for Albanian to be taught in the language department, making it accessible to many second-generation Albanians. She also conducted extensive research into Albanian history, traveling to presidential libraries to study foreign policy communications and using primary sources to learn about the Albanian Revolts and fighters in the Spanish Civil War. Her paper on the latter earned her the Jack Reece Prize for outstanding research in European history.
Ballina brings a wealth of experience to her studies, having interned at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the US Department of State where she worked in legislative affairs under Secretary Antony Blinken. Currently, she serves as a Board Associate at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights in New York.
Ballina’s long-term goal is to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, where she hopes to contribute to drafting legislation that supports Kosovo’s international recognition and its inclusion in NATO. Ultimately, Ballina aims to dedicate her career to protecting and promoting U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values.
Ms. Shtile Shuaipaj
MA Columbia University School of Architecture
Major: Masters in Architecture
Shtile Shuaipaj is an incoming Master of Architecture student at Columbia University with a strong commitment to revitalizing communities both in the U.S. and abroad through sustainable architecture. Her unique perspective is deeply rooted in besa, an Albanian principle of trustworthiness, loyalty, and solidarity that has guided her life and work since childhood.
A first-generation Albanian American, Shtile holds a Bachelors from Yale University where she was the inaugural president of the Yale Albanian Student Society, where she organized intercollegiate summits on brain drain in the Balkans and nominated the current president of Kosovo as a Yale Chubb Fellow. Her passion for global engagement also led her to serve as cultural director for European Horizons, where she hosted conferences on environmental policy and international relations. In her spare time, she has also explored other cultures by taking Chinese and French language courses and participating in related extracurriculars.
Shitle’s experiences have fueled her passion for architecture as a tool for sustainable societal change. Inspired by the challenges of brain drain in rural villages in Albania and Kosovo, as well as the evolving commercial landscape in the U.S., she aims to create community-oriented, reusable architectures that attract economic development and younger populations. She plans to use her time at Columbia to conduct global research and develop adaptable architectural approaches for countries like Albania and the U.S.
In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Shtile is an active leader in the Shoqata Akademike dhe Profesionale Shqiptare (SAPS) , a non-profit dedicated to supporting first-generation Albanian students and professionals. As the eldest of five children and a first-generation student herself, she understands the importance of mentorship and creating opportunities for others. She is described as a gifted leader and a supportive teammate.
Mr. Glenis Tocaj
Ohio State University College of Medicine
Major: Medicine
Having emigrated from Albania in 2016, Glenis is a medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine whose path is deeply rooted in his family’s resilience. Watching his parents rebuild their lives in a new country instilled in him a profound sense of purpose and an unwavering work ethic. This experience, combined with his caring nature, ignited his passion for medicine.
Beyond his academic pursuits, as a first-generation Albanian, Glenis is dedicated to serving immigrant and underserved communities, including his own Albanian-American community. As Outreach Chair for the Albanian American Medical Society (AAMS), he helps create mentorship programs for Albanian pre-med and medical students. He also serves as a board member of the Albanian Heritage Foundation, where he helps sustain the Albanian language school to preserve his culture and language. Additionally, as events lead and mentor for Shoqata Akademike dhe Profesionale Shqiptare (SAPS), a national nonprofit supporting Albanian students and professionals across the U.S., he organizes networking events that foster a strong professional community for students.
His current research in radiation oncology focuses on improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers. Glenis is committed to combining compassionate clinical care with research and advocacy to better serve underserved communities. Glenis’s ultimate vision is to be a physician who not only treats disease but also addresses the systemic barriers to health that affect marginalized populations. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, and he is committed to using his education and skills to give back to the community that shaped him.
Mr. Artur Vllahiu
Tufts University
Major: Masters in Philosophy
Artur Vllahiu has a strong background in philosophy and mathematics. He excelled as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, completed a successful year at Oxford University in the UK, and completed his first year of the Tufts MA program in philosophy (the top ranked MA program in philosophy in the US) with distinction.
Born and raised in Kosovo, Artur is a first-generation student who sees his educational journey as a testament to the opportunities his family’s sacrifices created. While his uncle fled the war in 1999 as a refugee, Artur arrived in the U.S. 21 years later as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, a journey that initially led him to feel disconnected from his Albanian identity.
This initial sense of distance from his roots inspired Artur to become a dedicated advocate for his community. As the vice-president of the Penn Albanian Society, he established a mentorship program for students from Albania and successfully campaigned for the introduction of Albanian as a language course. His commitment extends beyond campus as he volunteers for the American Advising Center in Kosovo, offering writing feedback to students applying to U.S. colleges, and assists with organizing international mathematics and debate competitions in his home country.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy at Tufts University, Artur’s long-term goal is to earn a PhD and become a researcher in academia. He hopes to increase the Albanian presence in Western academia and promote a stronger research culture in Kosovo and Albania through advising roles, establishing communication channels, and organizing international conferences. His path is a
Ms. Lyra Ymeraga
Brown University
Major: Computer Science
In her personal narrative describing her first day at Brown University, ― It was orientation week, and we were given a booklet with class of 2026 statistics, including student numbers and countries of origin. It was a special moment I will never forget. I was the reason Kosovo appeared in that booklet and why its flag flew proudly on the Main Green among all the others, as the only student from my country in the class of 2026. In that moment, I felt both a deep sense of pride and a great responsibility to represent Albanians and all the young people back home who dream of opportunities like this.
From a young age, the weight of being the sole student from Kosovo in her class at Brown University instilled in Lyra a profound sense of pride and responsibility. Studying Computer Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship, she has dedicated her time at Brown to both her academic pursuits and her commitment to fostering a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
Lyra’s passion for mentorship is evident in her role as a teaching assistant for ―Statistical Inference‖. She is dedicated to helping her peers understand complex material and plans to extend this mentorship to young women, especially those who are the first in their families to pursue higher
education. She believes in the power of representation and hopes to inspire more Albanian girls to pursue careers in STEM and leadership.
Beyond her academic and mentorship roles, Lyra has taken on various leadership positions at Brown. As a board member for Fashion@Brown, she took the initiative to invite Emina Cunmulaj, an Albanian model and philanthropist, to speak to students about her journey. She also ensured the Albanian perspective was heard in her ―History of the Balkans‖ course, sharing her experiences and highlighting her culture.
Looking to the future, Lyra plans to launch a tech company that serves the U.S. market while creating employment opportunities for people in Albanian communities. Through this endeavor, she aims to support local talent, contribute to economic development, and pave the way for a new generation of Albanian leaders in technology. She is a young woman driven by her heritage, her academic passions, and a deep-seated commitment to giving back to her community.