Praq Rado made the Dean’s List three times before graduating from BMCC in 2014 with an associate degree in Communication Media Studies. He is now working toward a bachelor’s degree in Marketing the Arts at Baruch College, while continuing to develop his career as an actor and producer through Dreaming Film Production, a company he founded with director Lee Percy. Rado’s current project is a film that focuses on undocumented college students, a subject close to his heart as Rado himself fled his country of origin, Albania, as a child and has struggled with his immigration status since that time.
Q: What is your favorite memory (professor, class, etc.) of BMCC?
A: My favorite moment was December 3, 2014. It was my last year at BMCC, and theyscreened Dreaming American, a film I starred in [produced by Barbet Schroeder and directed by Lee Percy] at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. The film was based on my life as an immigrant to the United States. All of my professors, tutors and classmates came to the screening, as well as a large group of BMCC staff from various departments. There were over 500 people in the audience. It was great feeling to be able to share my journey with everyone.
Q: How did BMCC help you get where you are today?
A: I will start with my background. I grew up in Albany and worked as a shepherd until the age of 16, when I fled the country and went to Greece, Italy, France, Belgian and England before coming to New York City in 2001. I had very little education in Albany, and had taught myself how read and write in English and Albanian. When I enrolled at BMCC in 2013, I spent a lot of time in college Writing Center. I got so much help from everyone; professors, tutors, classmates and staff, and I am very thankful because everyone there wants you to succeed. It is true what they say with the BMCC logo, “Start Here, Go Anywhere.” Thanks to that support and my own work, I am honored to say that now I am at Baruch College and graduating this year with honors.
Q: What advice do you have for today’s BMCC students?
A: I would say to them, BMCC has everything you need. There is so much help that BMCC provides for the students and if you take advantage of that, you will be prepared for transfer to any college out there. Baruch College is great in many ways, but I don’t have the same level of support that I had at BMCC.
Q: Why is it important for alumni to stay involved with BMCC?
A: I believe the alumni, the college, and current students benefit when alumni stay in touch with BMCC. If a BMCC alumni goes out there and does well in the world, it is good for him or her to be in touch with BMCC, to come back and share that success with current students.
