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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.
| | 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. | | KPMG CEO Tim Walsh Visits with LaGuardia Students | On May 6, Tim Walsh, CEO of KPMG, visited LaGuardia Community College for a fireside chat with President Kenneth Adams in the Little Theater. The conversation focused on how students can effectively prepare for today’s job market. During the discussion, Mr. Walsh reflected on his own journey as a college student, sharing how working part-time and completing an internship helped him build valuable transferable skills—such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking—that continue to serve him throughout his career. The event began with an engaging discussion among student attendees on the key elements of a strong elevator pitch. It concluded with a reception in the Poolside Café, where students had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Walsh. | | LaGuardia Community Gathers for Cinco/ Seis de Mayo Festival | | On May 6, the LaGuardia community came together for a belated Cinco de Mayo celebration. The Cinco/ Seis de Mayo event, which took place in the M-Building Gym due to the rainy weather on Wednesday afternoon, featured performances by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, carnival games, music performed by a lively mariachi band, and other activities. Attendees also enjoyed delicious treats, such as golden tacos and refreshing frozen virgin margaritas. The celebration was presented in collaboration with Student Life, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), Casa de Las Américas, and CREAR Futuros. Wednesday's Cinco/ Seis de Mayo celebration kickstarted LPAC's Summer of Fun series, which will continue through July—read more about upcoming events in the series in the "LaGuardia Performing Arts Center" section of today's newsletter or click here. | | On May 6, LaGuardia students from the Delta Theta Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, gathered in the E-Building Atrium to celebrate the induction of 44 students in the honor society. Delta Alpha Pi is an academic honor society founded to recognize high-achieving students with disabilities who are attending colleges and universities as undergraduate or graduate students. This organization celebrates and supports academic achievement, leadership, and advocacy for post-secondary students with disabilities. President Kenneth Adams presented welcome remarks and introduced keynote speaker Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate, who shared his personal experience as a person living with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD. The NYC Public Advocate was also presented with an honorary induction into the Delta Theta Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi. Dr. Alexis McLean served as the emcee for the ceremony and introduced Hersy Lazo, CTRS, a LaGuardia and Delta Alpha Pi alumnus who earned an AS degree in Therapeutic Recreation and later graduated from Lehman College with a BAS in Therapeutic Recreation. | | | | Three LaGuardia students were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships from the U.S. Department of State to support study abroad experiences in France, South Korea, and Taiwan during 2026. The highly competitive scholarship supports U.S. undergraduate students—particularly those with financial need—in pursuing academic study, internships, or service learning abroad. Recipients include Brandon Parker, a Sustainable Urban Agriculture student and soon-to-be LaGuardia graduate (pictured at left). He was awarded $3,500 to study environmental sustainability in Taiwan this summer. Winning the Gilman Scholarship marked a significant milestone for Brandon, a first-generation college student, who received the award on the same day he learned of his acceptance to Cornell University. Two additional LaGuardia students selected as 2026 Gilman Scholars are: Calvin Chin, a Computer Science student, who was awarded $2,500 to study in South Korea during the winter break (December 2026–January 2027), and Daniel Isaiah Pabon, a Photography student, who received $2,500 to study in France during Summer 2026. Read more about Brandon and the Gilman Scholarship. | | RSVP for Commencement by May 15 | | |
Preparations are in full swing to celebrate LaGuardia’s 54th Commencement, which will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, on the Quad at Queens College. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in Commencement in two ways:
- Attend as audience members (faculty wishing to march in the Academic Procession must wear academic regalia)
- Assist with Commencement Day operations — we will need a lot of hands on deck, and any support you are able to provide will be greatly appreciated
Faculty and staff who plan to attend or work at Commencement should RSVP by Friday, May 15.
Please visit our Commencement webpage for additional information. Details regarding arrival times, directions, and more will be added over the coming weeks. Thank you for your contributions in creating a memorable day for our graduates
| | | Connecting Campus & Community: LaGuardia Student Music Performance at Courtyard by Marriott, May 7 | | | | On Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 8 p.m., LaGuardia will partner with Courtyard by Marriott located at 29-15 Queens Plaza North here in Long Island City, for a special live student performance featuring students from LaGuardia’s Music Performance Program under the direction of Tom Dempsey, Program Director. This event is part of LaGuardia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community partnerships and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage beyond the classroom. Through collaborations like this, the College continues to build connections between academic programs and the broader community, highlighting the role of community engagement in student success. The performance will feature talented students, including vocalist Andrea Thomas, bassist Shamar Stoddard, along with Professor Dempsey on guitar. | | Third Annual Faculty and Staff Research Showcase on May 14 | | Next Thursday, May 14, the Third Annual Faculty and Staff Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works Showcase will take place in the E-Building Atrium from 3 to 5 p.m. This event serves as a way to recognize and celebrate the research, scholarly activities, and creative works that LaGuardia faculty and staff have been working on. As part of the event, a digital booklet highlighting projects from faculty and staff will be created; you may submit publications, presentations, exhibits, books, dissertations, or any other research/ scholarly activities for inclusion in the booklet here. To RSVP for the event, click here. | | | Lavender Graduation to be Held at LaGuardia, May 15 | | | | The CUNY Queens Lavender Graduation, for LGBTQIA+ undergraduate students and their allies, will take place Friday, May 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the E-Building Atrium. Graduates will also receive free Pride stoles and rainbow tassels along with free framed portraits. Interested graduates are encouraged to register for the ceremony here. | | Spring II 2026 Parking Permits on Sale May 18 | | On Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. reservations for Spring II, 2026 parking permits will be available on TicketLeap. Spring II 2026 parking permits are valid June 20 through August 28, and cost $140. Payment for permit reservations must be made at the Bursar’s window, C-110, between Tuesday, May 19 and Friday, May 22. The window is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Be sure to also bring a completed Parking Application. For additional details, please see the Parking Operations webpage. | | | Hispanic Federation Career Expo Returns to Campus, May 20 | | | | The Hispanic Federation Career Expo will take place in the M-Building Gym on May 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is an opportunity for students and alumni to meet directly with employers and service providers, access career development resources and receive expert advice and build professional connections. The Center for Career & Professional Development will host a series of pop-up events in the days leading up to the expo for students to prepare for the event: May 12 and 13 in the E-Building Atrium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and May 14 in the C-Building Lobby from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please encourage your students to sign up for the expo on May 20 here. This event is sponsored by the Hispanic Federation, the Center for Career & Professional Development, and Casa de las Américas. | | Save the Date: 2026 Years of Service Ceremony on May 28 | | LaGuardia will host its annual Years of Service ceremony and reception on Thursday, May 28 at 10 a.m. in the Mainstage Theater. The Years of Service ceremony honors faculty, staff and administrators who have achieved employment milestones with the college. All faculty and staff are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate their colleagues who have been working at the college for 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30+ years. | | | | | The FY2026 Tax Levy March 31, 2026 Operating Budgets by department are available for viewing. | | LaGuardia Team Attends Queens Youth Health Summit 2026 | | Earlier this week, faculty and staff from LaGuardia participated in the Queens Youth Health Summit 2026, held in the Queens Borough Hall Atrium. The summit brought together students, educators, and public health professionals to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and youth health. The event focused on empowering young people with knowledge and resources to better understand emerging health challenges and the role of technology in shaping the future of public health. Attendees engaged in dynamic discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities with leaders across the field. Dr. Sandra Ribeiro, facilitator and Assistant Professor, shared her expertise and supported meaningful dialogue around youth health and innovation. LaGuardia’s presence at the summit reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, interdisciplinary learning, and preparing students to address real-world challenges through education and collaboration. | | LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | | Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are invited to the Summer of Fun, a series of free, public events presented by LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC). Taking place from May through July, events will take place at LPAC, on the LaGuardia Community Greenway, and at partner venues throughout Queens. The series officially launched during Wednesday's Cinco/Seis de Mayo Celebration. At the event, President Kenneth Adams announced the full slate of summer programming, including cultural celebrations, live performances, music, film screenings, and other community-centered experiences. Highlights include Pride Month events in June, participation in the citywide Make Music New York festival, collaborations with the Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble (MORE Opera), and large-scale public World Cup watch parties across Queens. The series is presented in collaboration with Casa de las Américas/ CREAR Futuros, MORE Opera, and numerous community partners. Read more here and mark your calendars. | | LaGuardia announces the hiring of Anthony Valentino Rosario as the new Director of Public Safety. Anthony, who will officially begin his new role on May 11, has many years of experience in public and fire safety with the City University of New York (CUNY). His areas of expertise include fire and safety compliance, interagency coordination with law enforcement and emergency services, personnel supervision, emergency management, and campus risk mitigation. “Anthony is a public safety professional and fire safety director with over 20 years of experience in high-rise vertical safety at CUNY,” said Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance. “He is a proven leader in public safety operations, and we look forward to having Anthony join LaGuardia.” Reporting to Ken Campanelli, Executive Director of Facilities Management and Planning, Anthony will direct and oversee Public Safety’s extensive services that provide a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. | | | Campus Workshop Addresses Domestic Violence Awareness and Resources | | Students Tour Spectrum News NY1 Newsroom | | Professor Estefania Hernandez took students in her broadcast journalism class to the Spectrum News NY1 newsroom for an exciting behind-the-scenes tour on April 29. They had the opportunity to ask questions about local news and witness firsthand how a newsroom operates in real-time. During their visit, the newsroom was buzzing with energy as staff prepared to cover the royal couple’s visit, giving students a front-row look at breaking news in action. NY1 anchors and reporters welcomed the group by sharing personal stories and insights from their careers in journalism. | | Undergraduate Philosophy and Social Science Conference to Take Place May 11 | | | | Members of the LaGuardia community are invited to attend the 2026 Undergraduate Philosophy and Social Science Conference on May 11 from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Poolside Cafe. This year’s conference will feature student presentations on a wide range of topics, from the communal workings of Venezuela and cognitive/social development for bilingual speakers to the cases for and against objective morality, to name a few. The keynote speaker at this year’s conference will be Dr. Ryan O’Loughlin of Queens College. His work focuses on philosophical analysis of the credibility and applications of climate models. | | |
Ruhma Choudhury Research Colloquium to Take Place Virtually on May 15
The Committee on Professional Development of the College Senate invites members of the LaGuardia community to attend the Ruhma Choudhury Research Colloquium on May 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event, which will be held virtually on Zoom, provides faculty with an opportunity to discuss their works in progress and to receive feedback from their colleagues on their research. This year, Joni Schwartz-Chaney, Janet Michello, and Ala Al-Shargabi will each present their works. To attend the colloquium, click here.
| | Bronwen Pardes Contributes to Webby Award–Winning Sex Education Series | | Bronwen Pardes, an adjunct faculty member in LaGuardia’s Community Health and Wellness Department, shared in winning a Webby Award in the Video & Film – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (Series & Channels) category for her work on a sex ed series on the YouTube CrashCourse Channel. Pardes served as the subject matter expert for all 15 episodes in the series. She developed the syllabus outlining each episode’s content and reviewed scripts and videos throughout the production process. Pardes expressed pride in being involved in a series that emphasizes perspectives that are often overlooked. “No matter what topic I wanted to address, they were open to it, which is pretty cool considering the sensitive subject matter,” Pardes said. “Even though I’m fairly knowledgeable about the topic, I had to do a lot of research and learned many new things that have found their way into my teaching.” Pardes is especially proud of Episode 5, which focuses on sexual orientation. An adjunct faculty member at LaGuardia since 2004, she is currently teaching Drugs and Behavior and will be teaching Human Sexuality again soon. She plans to incorporate the CrashCourse Sex Ed series into her classroom instruction. | | | |
- As we prepare for the first floor renovation, we have had to move some collections upstairs. Please check in with the Librarian at the Reference Desk if you need help finding anything. And remember to bring the books back down to the Circulation Desk to be checked out.
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Research Guides are customized guides that show you where to find information. Find the guide that relates to your research question!
- We have two display cases outside the Library with Faculty Publications. Make sure to check them out.
- Our next MoneyBoss workshop will be on May 20. Register on the MoneyBoss website.
| | Meet with a NYS Deferred Compensation Plan Representative | | Schedule a 15 minute in-person retirement consultation with a NYS Deferred Compensation representative on Tuesday, May 12, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in E-407. Sign up here. | | |
Upcoming Civil Service Exams
Below are the details for three upcoming CUNY civil service exams:
| | 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) | | Use Your Free Access to LinkedIn Learning | |
All CUNY faculty, staff, and students have free access to LinkedIn Learning’s (LIL) 16,000+ online courses in seven different languages. LIL helps faculty teach more effectively by offering expert led courses in pedagogy, instructional design, educational technology, and in demand professional skills. Its flexible, on demand platform helps faculty strengthen curricula with real world applications, stay current in their fields, and better prepare students for academic success and meaningful careers.
If you haven’t activated your account, go to LinkedIn Learning.
- Click Sign in in the upper right corner.
- Enter your CUNY Login username (firstname.lastname##@login.cuny.edu). If you are affiliated with more than one college, you are prompted to choose one.
- Enter your CUNY Login credentials on the CUNY Login page.
- If you have an existing LinkedIn account, you can connect it to your CUNY LinkedIn Learning account so others may view your learning activity.
For more information using LIL visit LinkedIn Learning or LinkedIn Help Center. After activating your account, if you have LIL issues, please contact our HelpDesk by submitting an IT HelpDesk ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal; or email at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu; or call 718-482-6134.
| Complete the Mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training Today | | The 2025-26 LaGuardia Community College Cybersecurity Awareness Training course is available on Brightspace. All faculty and staff must complete this mandatory, annual 40-minute training to strengthen our cybersecurity and safeguard your own and university data. If you have any questions, contact Maritza Acero at macero@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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