Boby Akhi remembers the moment with perfect clarity. A student who had been on the verge of giving up, someone who entered her classroom unsure of their place in higher education, approached her with visible pride. “They told me they could finally see their own improvement,” she said. “I smiled and cried at the same time.”
Moments like these are not rare for Boby, an educator and mentor at SUNY Corning Community College. They are the heartbeat of her work and the reason she believes in the transformative power of education.
From a Village in Bangladesh to New York’s Classrooms
Born in a rural village in Bangladesh, Boby grew up surrounded by limitations. Her father passed away when she was 12, leaving her mother to raise two children alone in a deeply patriarchal society. It was her mother who instilled in her the belief that education is a kind of wealth that cannot be stolen. That conviction carried Boby through years of study, leading to three master’s degrees, two bachelor’s degrees, and now a doctorate in progress.
When she arrived in the United States, she had no family, safety net, or clear road map. She did not yet speak the language fluently. She came to study and she stayed to lead. Her journey began in the corporate world with John Deere, where she trained employees in IT systems. But it was the classroom that pulled at her. Education became a calling, not just a profession. “I do not just teach, I prepare, ” she said. “I prepare students to leave my classroom with confidence, technical knowledge, and purpose.”
A Fellowship Project Born from Lived Experience
As part of the NYSACTE Postsecondary State Leaders Fellowship with Advance CTE sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, Boby is working on a project to address the underrepresentation of South Asian women in IT fields. Despite earning STEM degrees at rates equal to or higher than their male peers, South Asian women remain vastly underrepresented in technical careers.
Boby’s project focuses on three core strategies: culturally responsive outreach to raise awareness about Career and Technical Education opportunities, a curriculum that reflects the lived experiences of South Asian women, and mentorship networks that connect students to women of color already in the field. “Representation is not enough,” she said. “We need cultural belonging. We need support systems that understand the specific challenges these women face.”
Her early interviews with participants revealed patterns both expected and surprising. Some pointed to cultural pressures and gender norms. Others cited limited access to information about career pathways or a lack of confidence in navigating workplace culture. Boby believes that through careful listening and thoughtful intervention, institutions can break down these barriers.
Education as a Bridge, Not a Barrier
Boby’s vision extends beyond individual empowerment. Her work is also about reimagining what institutions owe their students. Informed by her time in corporate settings and shaped by her current role in higher education, she sees a gap between academic preparation and workforce readiness. She is closing that gap through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and daily, deliberate mentorship.
A Legacy of Quiet Strength
As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month closes, Boby’s voice carries a message that transcends identity categories. She speaks not only for women of her background but for anyone who has ever felt invisible. “I like to walk alone,” she said, “not because I am distant, but because solitude gives me clarity.” Yet she is quick to add that her strength is also communal. “The power of collaboration is just as important. Leadership is not about isolation. It is about lifting others, even when no one is watching.”
In her office, on her campus, and in her research, Boby is building a new kind of leadership. One that is quiet but unshakable. One that honors cultural complexity. One that refuses to leave anyone behind.
An Invitation to Watch, Learn, and Follow
To follow Boby’s ongoing work and hear more stories of leaders redefining postsecondary Career and Technical Education, visit NYSACTE.org and subscribe to the Fellows Spotlight Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Her story is not just hers. It is a call to see the overlooked, to invest in equal access, and to remember that no voice, once heard, is ever small again.
