"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. | | As a proud Hispanic-serving institution—where 46% of students identify as Hispanic—LaGuardia is honoring Latino and Hispanic culture, history, and contributions with a series of events throughout Hispanic Heritage Month. Programming is led by Casa de las Américas, which has a mission to celebrate and support Latinx, Latin American, and Caribbean culture, education, and community engagement. Serendipitously, La Casa’s new director, Lorenley Báez, joined LaGuardia on September 15, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. | | La Casa kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with an artist talk and installation by Puerto Rican-born visual artist Diógenes Ballester. Then, on September 17, La Casa hosted an Open House celebration, pictured above. The Open House event, Kermesse en la Plaza, was an afternoon filled with live music, delicious food, and a joyful atmosphere filled with rich cultural traditions, such as a norteño dance performance. The month-long celebration will conclude on Wednesday, October 15, with a community-wide Hispanic Heritage Celebration on the LaGuardia Community Greenway. It will feature music, games, food, and information about campus and local resources. Event timing is currently being finalized. Stay tuned. | | Campus Life Hosts Student Success Resource Fair | | To help students get settled in for the academic year, Campus Life hosted a Student Success Resource Fair on Wednesday, September 17 in the E-Atrium. Several offices and organizations around campus tabled the Student Success Resources fair, sharing information with students about the various support systems available to them on campus. Students got a chance to connect with their peers as well as LaGuardia alumni, faculty, and staff. The fair aimed to provide students with valuable insights into college and professional experiences and strategies to overcome obstacles that may come up in their academic career. To learn more about upcoming events hosted by Campus Life, contact campuslife@lagcc.cuny.edu. | | Save the Date: President’s Fall Report on October 3 | | President Kenneth Adams will present the Fall Report on Friday, October 3. During the presentation, President Adams will review enrollment and the budget, along with updates and plans for the upcoming academic year. Stay tuned for more details on the time and location of the Fall Report. | | | | | Registration is now open for LaGuardia’s fourth annual Community Run, taking place on October 19. Members of the campus community are invited to join us on the 5K USATF Certified Course from LaGuardia to the LIC Waterfront and back. Bib pick up is at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. at the parking lot on 29th Street, adjacent to the Greenway and C-Building. Registered participants will receive a 2025 LaGuardia Community Run t-shirt. After the run, medals will be awarded at the Activities Plaza where runners and guests can enter raffles, enjoy music and check out tables hosted by local businesses and community organizations. Please see the website for more info and frequently asked questions. To run, register here; if you’re interested in volunteering to help with the race, fill out this form. | | Sign Up to Add a Professional Headshot to Your Faculty Profile | | |
LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting a series of “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! Your headshot can be used for a variety of purposes and adds a personal touch to your Faculty Profile on the LaGuardia website. Book your timeslot here for one of the following dates:
- October 14
- November 11
- December 9
For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471.
| | | LaGuardia Writing Center Reopens for Fall 2025 | | | | The LaGuardia Writing Center officially is open for virtual and in-person tutoring (Room B-200). Tutoring is available Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students can receive free, one-on-one support for writing in any subject, personal statements, resumes, or creative work. Services include drop-in sessions, pop-up help in the E-Atrium and library, and a quiet Writing Room in B-203. Faculty can request orientations or in-class tutoring. Appointments can be made via Navigate. For more info, visit the Writing Center's webpage. | | LaGuardia’s Humanitarian Initiative Kicks Off Fall 2025 with Global Partners | | The LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative (LHI) invites faculty and students to its Fall 2025 Kick-Off event on Tuesday, September 30, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom. Now in its seventh year, LHI continues to foster global awareness and civic engagement through partnerships that offer educational support, internships, and service-learning opportunities across disciplines. RSVP here. This year’s kick-off will feature presentations from LHI’s 2025–2026 partners: Barefoot College International, Grameen America, and the Food Bank of New York. Grameen Bank, a branch of Grameen America, is renowned for winning the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in economic empowerment. For more information or to integrate LHI modules into coursework, contact sjaman@lagcc.cuny.edu. | | | Save the Date: October 29 Fall 2025 Job & Internship Fair | | | | |
The Fall 2025 Job & Internship Fair will take place on October 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium. This event directly connects our students with employers offering internships, part-time, and full-time positions across various industries. Here’s how you can help:
- Remind students in your classes, programs, and offices to register on Handshake
- Highlight the benefits of attending a career fair, such as practicing networking and exploring career options.
- Support students in preparing résumés and practicing introductions by attending the Job Fair Prep events; see website for details.
| | Career Discovery Week Offers Exclusive Opportunities for CUNY Students | | The NY Jobs CEO Council is hosting CUNY Career Discovery Week from November 3–7, offering first- and second-year CUNY students early access to top career pathways. Students will visit Fortune 500 companies across industries like finance, tech, healthcare, law, and more. This unique opportunity allows students to explore careers, network with professionals, and learn about in-demand skills. Events are tailored to early college students, with some open to two-year students, some to four-year students, and some to both. Registration is open through October 17 here. | | | Brightspace Training Available | | | | |
LaGuardia has started using Brightspace. Ongoing training is available, and a full schedule can be found here. Students have received communications about Brightspace and will continue to receive communications during the Fall Semester. For technical questions, reach out to Brightspace Support:
- Office: B-127 (first floor of the B-Building)
- Phone: (718) 482-6121
- Email: LMS-support@lagcc.cuny.edu
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information and general questions, visit LaGuardia's Brightspace webpage or continue to reach out to the transition team at BrightspaceTeam@lagcc.cuny.edu.
| | CUNY Login MFA Has Begun – Set Up Your Account Now! | | If you haven’t set up CUNY Login MFA yet, you will be denied access to CUNY applications such as CUNYfirst, Blackboard/Brightspace, DegreeWorks, Zoom, and Dropbox. You are required to use CUNY Login MFA each time you use CUNY Login. CUNY Login MFA is separate from the Microsoft MFA implementation required when using Microsoft 365 applications. However, if you’re using the College’s VPN you already have a CUNY Login MFA and you do not have to set up another account. The authentication method for CUNY Login MFA is the Microsoft Authenticator App. Set up MFA for your account as soon as possible today to avoid being denied access to CUNY apps when you need them. To set up your MFA account now, use these instructions: Setting Up CUNY Login MFA Video Tutorial and Setting Up CUNY Login MFA - Quick Start Guide. If you have any questions or need assistance with CUNY Login MFA, please contact our HelpDesk by submitting an IT HelpDesk ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal, or by email at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu, or call (718) 482-6134. | | | | | LaGuardia announces the hiring of Dr. Kevin J. Martin, as the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, effective September 15. Dr. Martin brings many years of expertise in institutional quality assurance and effectiveness, data management and visualization, survey analysis, and accreditation. In his new role, Dr. Martin will report to President Kenneth Adams, and lead college assessment, accreditation, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives. As the new dean, Dr. Martin plays a key role in the college's strategic planning process and is responsible for the college’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) periodic accreditation and compliance, including our Self-Study Report, and is the manager of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. “Institutional effectiveness is about being better tomorrow than we were today, and our great work is about lifting up students and employees, supporting and furthering the entire community in which we live and work, and serving as a place for that community to grow and thrive," Dr. Martin says. "This is a great time to be at LaGuardia, and I am looking forward to collaborating.” | | Professor Frank Wang Uncovers Lost History of First-Ever Fields Medal | | In a newly published article in the College Mathematics Journal, Dr. Frank Wang, Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science, traces the journey of the Fields Medal awarded to Finnish mathematician Dr. Lars Ahlfors in 1936—the inaugural year of the world’s most prestigious mathematics prize. As Dr. Wang notes, the award is famously described in Good Will Hunting as “like the Nobel Prize for math, except they only give it out once every four years.” During World War II, Dr. Ahlfors pawned his pure gold medal to afford train fare to reunite with his family, who had fled Helsinki for safety in Sweden. Over time, the details of this story faded from public record. Thanks to a connection made by Professor Emeritus Danny Lynch (English) and support from historians at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, Dr. Wang documented the tale through an oral history shared by Vanessa Gruen—one of Dr. Ahlfors’ daughters and a longtime resident of Long Island City. Just as Dr. Wang’s article neared publication, another twist emerged—the medal had gone missing again! A search of a safe at the University of Helsinki’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics turned up empty. Fortunately, as Dr. Wang recounts in a postscript, the medal was later found and is now housed in storage at the Helsinki University Museum. The above photos were provided by the University of Helsinki and included in Dr. Wang’s article. Dr. Wang is proud of LaGuardia’s role in preserving and sharing this piece of mathematical history—ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come. | | Student and Faculty Stories: New Resources from Business and Technology | | The Business and Technology Department has launched two new resources to support student engagement and success, especially in the First Year Seminar (FYS). The first is Episode #4 of the Student Stories Podcast, featuring Olu Segun, a recent Business Administration graduate who shares her inspiring journey at LaGuardia and her career success post-graduation. Faculty are encouraged to use the episode and assessment in FYS discussions (contact amaharaj@lagcc.cuny.edu for assessment information). The second is a new LinkedIn Faculty Feature Series, highlighting practical tips from professors on topics like financial success and job interview prep. Both resources aim to deepen student learning across courses and careers. | | | Professor Bijoyeta Sahoriya Das’ Short Film Earns International Accolades | | | | The debut short film of Professor Bijoyeta Sahoriya Das, Associate Professor of Journalism, is winning laurels internationally. The three-minute short film A Little Extra explores themes of cancel culture and tells the story of a photoshoot gone wrong. It was inspired by a true news story. The film has received several awards for best super short films, including at the Prague Actors And Filmmakers Film Festival, Sweden Film Awards, Stockholm City Film Festival, Short Way International Film Festival, Cambridge Short Film Festival, and Triloka International Filmfare Awards, among others. It has been officially selected for screening in more than two dozen film festivals including Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival, Ireland, The InterCultural Voices Film Festival, New York Istanbul Short Film Festival, Golden Short Film Festival Italy, Nordic Star Festival among others. Professor Das received an EDIT award in 2024, which supported the post-production of the film. | | Professor Ana María Hernández to Give Lecture at International Conference | | Professor Ana María Hernández will deliver a lecture on "The Mexican Films of Luis Buñuel" at the XL meeting of the prestigious International Congress on Hispanic Cultures and Literatures. Buñuel, the quintessential surrealist filmmaker, directed 19 films during his exile in Mexico from 1947 to 1965, including the iconic The Exterminating Angel. | | | Professor Hugo Fernandez Begins Sabbatical Road Trip | | | | Professor Hugo Fernandez has begun his sabbatical road trip across the country, travelling with his long-time friend and collaborator, C.J. Hopkins, the Berlin blogging satirist of The Consent Factory. Fernandez and Hopkins began their trip on September 11, at the World Trade Center Memorial. They will be meeting with folks from across the country, taking the pulse of public opinions and feelings on all issues facing the country. People can follow along on Substack. | | | | |
Students looking for enrollment services support can now access virtual office hours every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Virtual One Stop takes place on Zoom and allows students to drop in and meet with staff from the following offices:
- Admissions
- International Student Services
- Registrar
- Student Financial Services
- Student Information Center
- Transfer Credit Evaluation
- Testing
| | LaGuardia is partnering with SUNY Orange to launch a 12-month paramedic training program in November to help address paramedic shortages plaguing Orange County and the Hudson Valley. The program is supported by $500,000 in New York State funding secured by State Senator James Skoufis. The 12-month program, condensed from the typical 36-month curriculum, is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). CoAEMSP is the only organization recognized nationally by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to provide accreditation services for AEMT and paramedic education programs. LaGuardia has a multi-year contract with SUNY Orange to provide paramedic education. Success of the class will determine whether or not the contract is extended beyond the initial term, which would offer more opportunities for more people to enroll. | | The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) is pleased to announce the launch of Handshake, LaGuardia's new career services platform to connect students and alumni with employers, internships, and job opportunities. Handshake offers students easier access to career opportunities through its mobile-friendly platform, while also connecting them to an expanded employer network of over 1 million organizations actively recruiting early talent. Please help by encouraging students to log in and set up their profiles on Handshake to explore tailored opportunities and prepare for career success; share this Getting Started with Handshake flyer in your classes, advising sessions, and department communications; and partner with CCPD to highlight upcoming events and fairs. Students, alumni, and employers can access Handshake here. To learn more about Handshake, watch this brief introductory video or email jeperez@lagcc.cuny.edu to discuss how Handshake can benefit your department. Thank you for helping us launch this exciting new platform and for your continued support in championing student success. | | | Basketball Tryouts Coming Up | | | | If you know a student who may be interested in playing basketball this upcoming season, please encourage them to attend tryouts later this month. The men’s basketball team will host tryouts on September 19 at 5 p.m. in the gym, located in the basement of the M-Building; the women’s team will hold tryouts on September 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. Students must be enrolled full-time, taking at least 12 credits to play. Students can reach out to the men’s basketball coach Jarrett Lockhart at jlockhart@lagcc.cuny.edu or women’s basketball coach Shareika Parry at sparry@lagcc.cuny.edu with any questions they may have. Students interested in basketball or other sports can learn more about Red Hawk Athletics here. | | Meet the Coaches: Shareika Parry, Head Coach, Women's Basketball | | |
Coach Shareika Parry is entering her fourth season as Head Coach of the LaGuardia Red Hawks Women’s Basketball program. With years of coaching experience and a proven record of building successful teams from the ground up, Coach Parry is a true leader on and off the court. She founded her first women’s basketball team at the Harlem Children’s Zone and is no stranger to developing programs from scratch. As a former CUNY student-athlete, she appeared in the National Tournament and won a CUNY Championship, both experiences that fuel her dedication to mentoring the next generation. Coach Parry emphasizes fundamentals, accountability, confidence, and teamwork, while ensuring her athletes thrive academically and personally. Her goal is to prepare student-athletes for success both on the court and in life.
Learn more about the other coaches leading our student-athletes here.
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The mighty Red Hawks invite students, faculty and staff to cheer them on at the following upcoming games and events. Show your school spirit and support the Red Hawks. Check the Athletics website for full schedules:
Men's and Women's Cross Country
- 9/26, Caldwell Cougar Chase at Garret Mountain Reservation, NJ
Men's Soccer
- 9/18, 4 p.m., at Rockland CC
- 9/23, 4 pm., at Monroe Bronx CC
Women's Volleyball
- 9/18, 6 p.m., at Bronx CC
- 9/20, 12 p.m., vs. Nassau CC
| | Updates from LaGuardia’s Library | |
- If you know a student who’s interested in joining a book club, the Library is interested in sponsoring one! Encourage them to fill out the form here.
- Free digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are available to all students, staff, and faculty. Use your LaGuardia email to sign up.
- We have copies of almost all textbooks in the Library available to check out for two hours (you can’t leave the Library, though). If we don’t have it, please let us know. If you can’t make it into the Library, you can request a chapter scan. Follow these directions to make a request.
- Need to borrow a Chromebook, iPad, calculator, or laptop? Stop by our Media Help Desk.
| | | Getting the Most from Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | | Join CCA, our EAP provider, for a Zoom information session. Whether you are experiencing personal challenges or workplace conflict, CCA can support CUNY employees and their family members in various ways including counseling sessions and work-life/convenience support. To find out more, join virtually on September 23 at 10:30 a.m. | |
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Get Your Flu Shot at the LaGuardia Benefits Fair on October 29
Flu season is almost here! Take steps to protect yourself and your family from the influenza virus by getting your flu shot. We will be providing free flu shots through our partner, Affiliated Physicians (AP). AP will have a table at our Benefits Fair where you will receive your shot. Please register through AP's website here.
| | LaGuardia Seeks to Fill Open Faculty and Staff Positions | | |
LaGuardia currently has several searches for new faculty and staff members. 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 more openings, visit Employment Opportunities.
| | DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DoIT) | | Cybersecurity: Help Us Protect Our Digital Campus | | |
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that affects everyone on campus. Colleges and universities are frequent targets of cyberattacks seeking access to personal, financial, and academic data. Protecting this information requires strong institutional safeguards and individual vigilance.
Staying Secure: Best Practices
- Use Strong, unique passwords: Avoid reusing the same password.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA effectively defends unauthorized access. Follow CUNY’s MFA policies.
- Be Alert to phishing attempts: Don’t click on links, open attachments or respond to emails from unfamiliar senders.
- Update devices regularly: Install security updates on all your devices as soon as they’re available.
DoIT’s Commitment
DoIT actively protects our digital environment by:
- Conducting regular security updates, strengthening security systems and monitoring activity.
- Providing cybersecurity awareness training opportunities.
- Utilizing enhanced tools for data protection and secure collaboration.
- Applying quick response procedures in cases of suspected threats and reported incidents.
You Can Help
Cybersecurity depends on the actions of each individual. By staying alert, following best practices, and reporting anything suspicious, you’re helping safeguard your information and the broader LaGuardia community. If you encounter suspicious emails or unusual activity, please report them immediately to the IT HelpDesk at: ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu.
| | LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES | | |
QUEENS GAZETTE: A round up on the college decisions of the 2024-25 Kaplan Leadership Scholars from colleges in Queens notes that Tabia Tarannum (LaGuardia’25) has transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
MID HUDSON NEWS: LaGuardia Community College, in partnership with SUNY Orange, will launch a year-long paramedic training program—funded by $500,000 from New York State—to help address critical paramedic shortages in Orange County and the Hudson Valley.
SULEKHA EVENTS: Anupam Roy, a lyricist, music composer and singer from Kolkata, West Bengal, will perform at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) on October 12 and 18. LPAC is a premier cultural hub that showcases world-class performances across theater, music, dance, and the visual arts.
| | "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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