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"Campus Update" is a weekly e-newsletter published by LaGuardia's Division of Communications and External Affairs to provide news and information to the college community.
"Campus Update" will be published every other week during the summer of 2026. Publication dates will be July 23, August 6, August 20, and September 3, after which the newsletter will resume weekly publication.
| | The Division of Communications and External Affairs offers various additional resources to help you share news with the campus, including an event calendar, photography, graphic design, and more. | | |
Five graduates from LaGuardia’s Class of 2026 have secured software engineering positions at Wells Fargo following successful apprenticeships with the company. Among them is Maryam Ali, 30, a Pakistani immigrant and mother of a five-year-old, who worked 20 hours per week on Wells Fargo software development teams from September 2025 through May 2026 while completing her degree at LaGuardia. Maryam is pictured at left above with fellow new hires Cherian Abraham and Changrong Yin. “This is a tremendous achievement for the students and reflects their hard work, determination, and talent,” said Dr. Alaa Darabseh, professor and director of LaGuardia’s Programming and Software Development Program. “Their success demonstrates the power of paid, hands-on industry experience and how these opportunities can help community college students launch careers in high-demand technology fields.”
Read more here.
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VP Alexis McLean Featured in "Hart and Hustle” Podcast on the Power of Authentic Leadership | |
On a recent episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Dr. Alexis McLean, Vice President for Student Affairs, shares how she is transforming student support through authentic leadership, intentional relationship-building, and data-informed strategies. In conversation with Efrain Lozada, Dr. McLean reflects on addressing representation gaps, cultivating inclusive and empowering campus environments, and the leadership lessons that mission-driven organizations can apply to strengthen their impact. This episode offers valuable insights for higher education leaders, executives, and changemakers seeking to deepen engagement, expand program reach, and foster a stronger sense of belonging across their communities
Watch the interview here.
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To celebrate the successful completion of LaGuardia's Tomorrow 2.0 Campaign, we created a special thank-you video featuring President Kenneth Adams alongside LaGuardia students, who share how they—and their fellow students—are benefiting from the campaign's extraordinary impact. The video serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Foundation Board of Directors and the many generous donors whose support is helping transform students' lives. The Tomorrow 2.0 Campaign surpassed its original fundraising goal, raising $15,621,000 (as of June 9, 2026) and unlocking a $10 million anonymous challenge grant, bringing the campaign total to more than $25 million. This remarkable achievement is expanding and strengthening student services, reducing financial barriers, and making a college education more accessible for thousands of students.
Watch the video here.
| | LaGuardia Hosts World Cup Viewing Party | | On July 19, the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) hosted a Free Family World Cup Final Match Celebration, bringing together neighbors, artists, and soccer fans of all ages for a live screening of the championship match. In addition, the festivities included cultural performances, hands-on arts activities, and family-friendly entertainment. Other activities included music and dance performances, circus arts, face painting, arts and crafts, and interactive activities presented by community partners. Featured performers and community organizations included Queensboro Dance Festival, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, HONK NYC!, and MORE Opera / LaGuardia Community Choir. | | Look Up! LaGuardia Welcomes Long Island City | | If you're traveling through the Court Square/23rd Street or Queensboro Plaza subway stations, take a moment to look up—you'll spot LaGuardia Community College proudly featured as part of LIC Partnership's "Welcome to LIC" campaign. LaGuardia's logo appears on five banners displayed throughout these busy transit hubs, highlighting the College's longstanding connection to the Long Island City community. The campaign celebrates the neighborhood's vibrant businesses, institutions, and organizations that make LIC a dynamic place to live, work, and learn. The banners reflect LaGuardia's continued collaboration with the LIC Partnership and its commitment to supporting the growth and vitality of the local community. Whether you're commuting to class, heading to work, or exploring the neighborhood, keep an eye out for the "Welcome to LIC" banners and take pride in seeing LaGuardia represented as an integral part of Long Island City. | | | LaGuardia is inviting students, faculty, and staff to help shape the college’s future identity by submitting ideas for a new slogan or motto. Our current slogan, “Dare to Do More,” has proudly represented LaGuardia since 2012. As we look ahead, we are seeking fresh suggestions that capture the spirit of our college, reflect the experiences and aspirations of our diverse community, and align with LaGuardia’s mission and core values. To submit your suggestions, please fill out this form by October 2. Learn more here. | | | LaGuardia to Observe Summer Fridays through August 14 | | | | As a reminder, LaGuardia is participating in CUNY’s Summer Four-Day Workweek Program, which will be in effect from June 8 through August 14. During this period, campus will be closed on Fridays; please keep the adjusted summer schedule in mind, and be sure to check individual office hours when seeking assistance from your colleagues in other departments and divisions. | | LaGuardia Connects with Community and Small Business Leaders at Urban Upbound Small Business Forum | | Luda Spajic represented LaGuardia at the Urban Upbound Small Business Forum in Astoria. This event brought together community members, small business owners, and local partners, giving them an opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn more about community needs, and build connections with organizations that support economic growth and entrepreneurship. During the event, Luda connected with community leaders and small business owners while expanding LaGuardia’s network of potential partners. She also had the pleasure of meeting two LaGuardia alumni, Ahmed Elmaradny, Director of Tax and Income Support, and Rana Mohamed, Manager of Small Business Program at Urban Upbound. Both shared their positive experiences at LaGuardia and spoke highly of the college’s role in supporting their educational and professional journeys. | | INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH AND EFFECTIVENESS | | |
MSCHE Launches the 15th Edition of Standards
On July 1, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) launched the 15th edition of their Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. The changes to the latest edition streamline institutional reporting requirements, which should reduce the redundancies that many self-study teams found when writing and reporting on institutional compliance. The new standards are in effect, and institutions are required to comply with the new standards at all times. Click here for an overview of the changes, or here to learn more about the college’s accreditation and past self-study archive on our new Sharepoint portal (both links require a LaGuardia login).
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ISS Monitoring New Federal Rule Change and Effects on F-1 International Students
The Department of Homeland Security recently issued a new rule ending "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F-1 visa holders, replacing it with a fixed expiration date starting September 15. The rule includes transition provisions for current students who are in the United States in valid F-1 status and were admitted for D/S. Most current students do not need to take immediate action simply because the rule was published. The Office of International Student Services is reviewing the updated rules and regulations with CUNY colleagues and will share guidance as it develops. Please direct student questions to ISS at fsinformation@lagcc.cuny.edu or C-258.
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Renovation Updates:
- The Library is only accessible via the second-floor entrances. All of our services, including the printer, are now upstairs.
- We have moved a lot of book collections to the second floor! Check out our Children’s, Parenting, Manga and Graphic Novels, and Leisure Reading Collections. If you need a book that is not on the 2nd floor, just request it. Ask a Librarian if you need help.
- The Library (and all of CUNY) will be closed on Fridays during most of the summer. The Library will be closed every Friday through August 21. Check our calendar before you make the trip.
- Our MoneyBoss website and our Events and Workshops page have been updated. Visit these pages to see all the workshops and events we’ll be having in the Fall semester.
| | Attend a Dementia Awareness Webinar on July 29 | | LaGuardia employees are invited to attend a virtual session designed to stimulate conversation about awareness, care, and support for Alzheimer’s and dementia, “Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence,” as part of the Dementia Awareness & Education Series hosted in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The virtual session will take place online from 1 to 2 p.m. on July 29, register here. | | |
NYCERS to Host Lunch and Learn Webinar August 6
The New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS) invites LaGuardia employees to participate in an upcoming NYCERS Lunch and Learn webinar on August 6 at 12 p.m. This session is geared toward employees enrolled in Tier 4 (62/5, 55/25, 57/5) and Tier 6 (63/5) retirement plans, as well as for prospective members. The session will provide an overview of key pension information; register in advance here.
| | LaGuardia Seeks to Fill Open Faculty and Staff Positions | | Current faculty and staff are welcome to share the openings below with individuals who they believe may be a good fit for the role or apply for the positions themselves. For all LaGuardia openings, visit Employment Opportunities. | | DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DoIT) | | LaGuardia Employees Have Free Access to Microsoft Copilot | | Did you know that all CUNY faculty, staff, and students have access to Microsoft Copilot Chat using their CUNY email account? Copilot can help you draft emails, summarize documents, brainstorm ideas, answer questions, analyze information, and create content more efficiently. Unlike public AI tools, Copilot operates within Microsoft's enterprise environment and is designed to protect institutional data. This means you can confidently use Copilot when working with college documents, administrative information, student records, grades, and other university data that require strong security and privacy protections. If you have any questions, contact LaGuardia Tech Advisory. | | |
Cybersecurity Alert: Think Before You Click
Cybercriminals continue to target colleges and universities using phishing emails designed to steal passwords and sensitive information. Before clicking a link, opening an attachment, or responding to an unexpected request, take a moment to verify the sender and the message. If something seems unusual, even if it appears to come from a colleague or a trusted source like LaGuardia, pause and confirm it through another method. If you’ve received a suspicious email, please forward it to SPAM@lagcc.cuny.edu. Do not forward it to any LAG Information Technology distribution list, other group lists, or employees, including DoIT personnel. If you have questions, please contact LaGuardia’s Information Security Manager Maritza Acero at informationsecurity@lagcc.cuny.edu.
| | LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES | | "Campus Update" is produced and published by the Communications and External Affairs Division. Faculty and staff who wish to submit items for publication can email CampusUpdate@lagcc.cuny.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday to be considered for publication on Thursday. |
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