Salman J. Choudhury
JK Aroni GunGun, a proud daughter of Bangladesh, has made history at the City College of New York’s Grove School of Engineering by graduating as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. Not only did she top her own department, Earth and Environmental Engineering, but she also ranked highest among students across all departments of the engineering school—a remarkable feat that has brought honor to both her family and the broader Bangladeshi community in New York.
In addition to her major in Environmental Engineering, GunGun pursued a second major in Sociology from the Colin Powell School, completing a double major with academic distinction. Her journey stands as an inspiring example of the academic excellence and leadership potential of Bangladeshi students abroad.
One of GunGun’s most noteworthy accomplishments was reviving the New York Water Environmental Association (NYWEA) student club at CCNY, which had become inactive during the pandemic. Under her leadership as chairperson, the club not only became active again but was named the Best Student Chapter in New York State—a first in the college’s history.
GunGun received the prestigious Engineering Alumni Medalist Award (2025) for her academic program. Honored with the CUNY Crest Award for her leadership and research contributions, she Recipient of the CCNY Asian Alumni Scholarship (2025) and Consistently placed on the Dean’s List every semester.
GunGun’s family and community are overjoyed and proud of her accomplishments. Her father, Khairul Islam Pakhi—a well-known actor, host, and licensed New York State realtor—described this moment as the greatest joy of their immigrant life. Her mother, Jacqueline Gomez, works in Human Resource Administration, and her only sibling, JK Ronbir Rajjo, is also pursuing his studies with distinction.
