"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. | |
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Mental Health Support During Middle East Conflict
As the fighting in the Middle East continues, and the horrific loss of innocent civilian life across the region climbs, members of our community may be experiencing stress or anxiety, or otherwise have feelings of unease. For individuals coping with the devastation of these events, support is available should you need to speak with someone:
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LaGuardia’s Continuing Education Expanding IT Cyber Security Program to Offer Additional Certifications
The Continuing Education Division of LaGuardia Community College/CUNY was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Education Design Lab, to enhance its information technology program to meet growing consumer and employer demand for short-term credentials. Chandana Mahadeswaraswamy, Senior Director, Career and Professional Programs and the Center for Contract Training, is the Principal Investigator in Continuing Education, who is overseeing the effort. “The Cyber Security Micro Pathways Program stands as an excellent example of collaboration between workforce development, industry, and professionals,” Ms. Mahadeswaraswamy said. “It’s design and implementation process, rooted in the insights of industry experts, has resulted in a program that meets the dynamic needs of the cybersecurity landscape.”
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Mastercard Employee Ghizlane El Haddad (’23) Speaks at Workforce Funders Collaborative
Recently, President Kenneth Adams attended a panel discussion hosted by the New York City Workforce Funders Collaborative on the pivotal role major corporations play in New York City’s workforce development ecosystem. Ghizlane El Haddad (’23, Network Administration and Information Security) was a panelist. She shared her story as an immigrant from Morocco who earned an apprenticeship and a full-time job in cybersecurity through a partnership between LaGuardia and Mastercard. She spoke about how the experiences have had a significant impact on her and her family—providing financial stability and boosting her self-confidence. The LaGuardia-Mastercard program was highlighted as a public-private partnership that has successfully helped low-income New Yorkers find pathways to high-quality jobs, while assisting Mastercard in meeting its talent needs and diversity goals.
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LaGuardia Community College Among Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges Eligible for the 2025 Aspen Prize
LaGuardia Community College/CUNY was recently recognized as one of the Top 150 U.S. community colleges and invited to apply for the prestigious $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. LaGuardia was named one of 25 semi-finalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize. “We are honored once again to be selected to compete for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence award,” said LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams. LaGuardia is one of five City University of New York (CUNY) schools invited to apply for the Aspen Prize along with Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hostos Community College, Kingsborough Community College, and Queensborough Community College. The $1 million Aspen Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation’s signature recognition for America’s community colleges. By focusing on student success and promoting models that work, the Aspen Prize aims to celebrate excellence, advance a focus on equitable student success, and stimulate the replication of effective culture and practice.
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Accounting Major Tyshawn Washington Aspires to Share His Financial Knowledge with his Community
When Tyshawn Washington, 30, graduates from LaGuardia in Spring 2024, he will be one of the first people in his family to earn a college degree. Growing up, he “got caught up in the wrong crowd,” said Tyshawn, who was raised in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Between ages 14–19, he was in and out of jail, with stints at Rikers Island. “I was doing drugs, going clubbing, etc.,” said Tyshawn. He dropped out of high school and found work in construction and as a mover. Today he's an Accounting major with a 3.5 GPA, working hard to make a better life for his family. Tyshawn and his long-time partner have three daughters.
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TELC Students Express Themselves Through Multi-media Art Exhibit: Eye Speak
“Eye Speak” is an exhibit of photographs by students of The English Language Center in collaboration with LaGuardia’s Photography Program. The students’ work, like the image featured here by TELC student Katie (Gahyun) Kim, will be on display beginning Nov. 8, at 12 noon, on the first-floor gallery, located in the east corridor of the B-Building. The exhibit will remain on display through February 2024. “These students have come from other countries to study in an intensive English language program here at LaGuardia,” said Philip Thompson, TELC Teacher, who teaches a photography. “Taking this photography course as a creative outlet, students were encouraged to explore the potential of personal expression through a visual language. Meaning-making through images became an alternative to any limitations of speech. Accompanying the photographs are statements written by the photographers in their native languages. You are invited to engage with the photographer’s thoughts.”
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First “Conversations @LaGuardia” Discussion Examines Media Habits
On November 8, more than 100 faculty members, staff, students, and alumni attended the first “Conversations @ LaGuardia,” a new college-wide initiative to foster campus dialogues about contemporary news and topics. The initiative was developed by Bijoyeta Das, assistant professor of English and director of the journalism program. Dr. Michelle Pact, professor of English, moderated a panel discussion titled, “Endless Scrolling and Our Media Habits,” followed by audience questions. CNN White House reporter Camila DeChalus, invited through the college’s partnership with the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, spoke about how she uses social media to report on stories quickly while taking measures to verify sources. Vildana Khamidullina (LaGuardia ‘23) a former Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow currently pursuing a bachelor’s at Columbia University, shared how she limits her social media intake and tries to be intentional with her scrolling, such as by exploring a topic she’s studying in a class. Evelyn Lowmark, LaGuardia’s interim executive director of administrative and support services, facilities rental, and the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, spoke about how media creates a platform for artists to engage with audiences.
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LaGuardia Community Encouraged to Support CUNY Tuesday
The City University of New York (CUNY) recently launched its university-wide giving campaign, “CUNYTuesday,” which encourages each CUNY college to participate. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are encouraged to show support for the CUNYTuesday by making a donation. LaGuardia uplifts exceptional New Yorkers from all walks of life to better futures in the best city in the world. As a community college that focuses on affordable, two-year academic programs, LaGuardia launches students who would not otherwise be able to access higher education into four-year colleges and the workforce. Visit the CUNYTuesday website to learn about LaGuardia students who are New York’s future!
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November: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Did You Know?
Once again, we are on the precipice of the year’s end; a year that has, and continues, to teach us so much about ourselves and those around us. Let us continue to learn about and strive for peace and harmony. Here are some November celebrations and observances worth exploring.
Shout Out of the Month - In lieu of a shout out this month, please join me in taking a moment of silence for humankind.
Departments, groups, or individuals planning DEI-related events or Heritage Month celebrations this school year should contact Wendy Nicholson, Executive Director of DEI at least one month in advance.
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Wellness Center and NAMI-NYC Partner for Mental Health 101 on November 15
Discussions about mental illness can be difficult, but these are often the most important conversations to have. On November 15 at 2 p.m., the Wellness Center will partner with NAMI-NYC to host Mental Health 101, a Zoom webinar for you to ask any questions you might have about mental health conditions. Whether you’re just learning about mental health, a seasoned mental health professional, or would just like to know more, NAMI-NYC and the Wellness Center are here to help. Register here.
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Thanksgiving Groceries Available through LaGuardia CARES
LaGuardia CARES is thrilled to announce the availability of free turkeys and trimmings to help make your Thanksgiving extra special. Pick up will be available Wednesday, Nov. 8th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students, and for faculty and staff 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in room C-107. For faster service, please visit the website and place an order online.
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CUNY Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IRG) Applications Due Monday, November 20 @ 9 a.m.
The 2024 Interdisciplinary Research Grant: Engaged Public Impact Research in Urban Environments program supports collaborative research in the following significant areas: human health, environmental change, artificial intelligence, migration, and ever-changing social organization. Proposals should be interdisciplinary and address urgent scientific and societal challenges through convergent research (transdisciplinary research with societal impact). A minimum of two investigators are required, ideally from different CUNY colleges, schools, or centers, and multi-investigator teams are encouraged. Applications require a signature page with endorsement from the Department Chair and college Grants Officer from each participating institution. If you plan to submit an IRG application, please share your proposal materials with Grants & Sponsored Programs as soon as possible and direct inquiries to Carrie Fox, Director of Grants Development.
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LaGuardia Community College Launches Partnership with ELMCOR Youth & Adult Activities, Inc.
On November 3, 2023, LaGuardia Wellness Center’s Director, Frank LaTerra-Bellino, gave a tour of the Center to the members of Elmcor. This visit marked the beginning of the College Prevention Initiative, a one-year collaboration between two organizations that aims to prevent young adults from developing alcohol and cannabis addictions.
Pictured (from right to left): Frank LaTerra-Bellino, LaGuardia Director of the Wellness Center, and the ELMCOR team: Leyla V. Bermudez, Director of Youth Services, and Micahel Vaz, Assistant to Director of Prevention Services.
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LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES | |
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Inner Circle Arrives at the Archives
LaGuardia and Wagner Archives is pleased to announce that it has obtained the Collection of the Inner Circle, a parody group based in New York City made up of journalists, bloggers, and television and radio personalities. James Ford, President of the Inner Circle, visited campus on Friday to tour the Archives and meet with staff. Founded in 1922, the Inner Circle hosts an annual event in March at the New York Hilton to lampoon the current mayor and national politicians. The Inner Circle Collection consists of videos, programs, photos, posters, and other ephemera and nicely complements other collections at the Archives, including the Mayoral Papers of Fiorello LaGuardia, Robert Wagner, and Ed Koch as well as the Edith Evans Asbury Papers. The Archives will sort, index, and digitize the Inner Circle Collection and make it accessible to the public in 2024.
Pictured is James Ford, President of the Inner Circle, and LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams at LaGuardia and Wagner Archives.
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United Nations Academic Impact Program
LaGuardia’s liaisons to the United Nations Academic Impact Program (UNAI) are seeking to hear about 2023 projects that directly and indirectly address either the 10 UNAI Principles or the 17 Sustainable Goals set by the United Nations. The projects will be included in LaGuardia’s 2023 UNAI annual report. Projects can range anywhere between classroom lesson plans, co-curricular events, or experiential learning. If you are not sure if a project you are already involved with meets one of these goals, please either submit the form anyway or reach out so we can work with you to make sure the project meets one of these goals. You also do not have to teach a global learning assigned course to submit your work; only the theme and issue should be global. Submit projects here, and contact liaisons Stefania Dinu and Thomas Cleary with any questions.
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LaGuardia One of Five CUNY Colleges Working to Develop University-Wide Strategy
The City University of New York is partnering with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to conduct a diagnostic assessment of the University’s student success programming, which will result in customized recommendations to improve student retention and degree completion on each CUNY undergraduate-serving campus. The four-month comprehensive assessment process is underway at LaGuardia and four additional colleges — Borough of Manhattan Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Lehman College and York College.
NISS has been reviewing data from iPEDS and the CUNY Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA). In addition, approximately 40 LaGuardia faculty and staff involved in key aspects of the student journey were surveyed, and a focus group is being planned. NISS will create a “playbook” of resources and present to Cabinet at the end of the semester to include recommendations, resources, and best practices.
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LaGuardia Professors Collaborate on Research Article
Dr. Thomas M. Onorato, Professor of Biology, recently collaborated with colleagues at Brown University, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, and several LaGuardia faculty on the research article titled, “A Pandemic-Resilient CURE Shifts Community College Students From Knowledge Consumers to Authentic Knowledge Producers,” published in the National Science Teaching Association Journal of College Science Teaching. Along with Dr. Onorator, co-authors include: Jacqueline A. Brashears, associate professor of biology; Claudette Davis associate professor of biology; Ian Alberts, professor of chemistry; and Ingrid D. Veras associate professor of biology (all from LaGuardia); and Nathalie Oulhen, a research assistant professor; Gerardo Reyes, a doctoral student; Stephany Foster, a PhD graduate; Cosmo A. Pieplow, a postdoctoral fellow; and Gary M. Wessel a professor, (all from the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University); and Janet E. Rollins, associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.
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Fall II Book Adoptions are Due November 15
Book adoptions for Fall 2023 Session II are due November 15 and must be made on the Akademos site (log in with your CUNYfirst credentials); a training video is available here. Book adoptions made through Akademos will be reflected on CUNYfirst automatically.
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Volunteers Needed for BLM Summit Committee
Planning for the Black Lives Matter Summit 2024 is getting underway, the only thing the committee is missing is YOU! Volunteer to join this year’s committee to assist with planning and organizing the 9th Annual Black Lives Matter Summit, taking place in April 2024. Meetings are starting soon and will take place on Zoom; if you are interested in joining the committee or have questions, please email Rachel Romain (rcharles@lagcc.cuny.edu).
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Inaugural Red Hawks Cross Country Season Wraps Up
The Red Hawks wrapped up their Cross Country season on October 29 at the CUNY Athletic Conference Championships at Van Cortlandt Park. Gary Romero-Garcia (above, left) led the two LAGCC men's runners in 32nd place overall and 7th among community college runners, finishing with a time of 35:42.4. Jeremiah Nevers (above, right) also completed the 8-kilometer race in a personal best time of 48:17.6. Unfortunately, Red Hawks women's XC runner Victoria Dunn was scratched from the meet due to an ankle injury that flared up in a previous meet. With the first XC season in school history in the books, the program will look toward building for the 2024 season. Interest meetings and informal workouts for next year will begin in March. Contact Peter Briguglio for more information.
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Women’s Basketball
- Nov. 11, 1 p.m. vs. Dutchess Community College
- Nov. 16, 6 p.m. vs. Nassau Community College
- Nov. 18, 1 p.m. at Suffolk Community College
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Men’s Basketball
- Nov. 11, 3 p.m. vs. Dutchess Community College
- Nov. 16, 8 p.m. vs. Nassau Community College
- Nov. 18, 3 p.m. at Suffolk Community College
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library:
- NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) begins November 1 and the Library is hosting writing sessions! Join us to work on your latest writing project. Check here for more information.
- Do you like to learn via videos? Check out our large collection of Streaming Video.
- Need a one-credit class for the Fall II semester? Sign up for LRC 103, our Internet Research Strategies class. You can find more information here.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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Payroll Announcement: Thanksgiving Week Paper Check Distribution on Weds., Nov., 22
The Payroll Office will be distributing paper checks dated November 24, 2023 on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 from 3 PM to 5 PM in room E402. If you can’t pick up your check during this time, you can pick up your check the following week, Monday, November 27 through Friday, December 1, from 9 AM to 5 PM.
No appointment is necessary. Paper checks not picked up will be returned to the City Monthly.
This distribution is for employees not enrolled in Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit paystubs are accessible to view and print by using NYCAPS ESS-Employee Self Service.
If you need help or have any questions, please contact the LaGuardia Payroll Office at payroll@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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CUNY IT Conference November 30 – December 1 – Register Now
CUNY invites you to attend the 22nd annual CUNY IT Conference at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice on November 30– December 1. This year’s enlightening and timely theme is "Us and IT. CUNY in the Age of Generative AI." Registration is free.
At the Conference:
- Learn, Explore, and Share Insights:
- Examine the world of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound influence on various aspects of our work and daily lives, including education and learning.
- Rethink Your Relationship with Technology
- As Generative AI becomes increasingly pervasive, consider how it transforms our interaction with technology in all that we do.
- Engage in Thoughtful Conversations
- Participate in enlightening discussions about the practical applications of Generative AI, share your experiences, and engage in thought-provoking discourses regarding opportunities as well as philosophical and ethical implications.
For more information and to register, visit 22nd Annual CUNY IT Conference
Don't miss this chance to gain fresh perspectives and connect with colleagues regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence – register early and block off your calendar for November 30 – December 1. If you need assistance registering or have any questions, please contact Jeremy Smith, Center for Digital Education.
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LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES
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"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. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday. |
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