December 16, 2025

Two LaGuardia Students Accepted to Columbia University

Tamoy Bloomfield, a Paralegal Studies major, and Jessicah Erondu, a Creative Writing major, have both been accepted to Columbia University’s School of General Studies for Spring 2026. Bloomfield and Erondu are 2025–26 members of President’s Society. The news broke during the dinner portion of a recent President’s Society evening workshop. Bloomfield shared her Columbia acceptance. Moments later, Erondu announced she had been admitted as well. “The room erupted in cheers; it was an incredible moment,” said Stefania Dinu, Foundation Engagement Specialist for President’s Society.

Alumni Spotlight: Yu Wut Hmone Htoo

Leaving her home country of Myanmar wasn’t something that Yu Wut Hmone Htoo, 26, (LaGuardia ’25, Accounting, now at Baruch) planned, but political unrest in 2022 changed her path. Adjusting to life in New York came with challenges—learning English, feeling homesick—but Htoo found an unexpected outlet through social media. She began recording campus life to stay connected with her mother, sharing moments from her day, and soon discovered a passion for storytelling. Htoo, pictured above center, began talking about her international student experience, and found resonance with thousands back home, especially young people curious about life in NYC as a college student. During Htoo’s final semester at LaGuardia, she was hired as a content creator with LaGuardia’s communications team, an experience that brought her great joy, as she saw more people enjoying her videos and stories. Now she’s thinking about weaving marketing and media into a future career in international accounting. “Education can be an endless adventure,” Htoo says. “If you embrace the side quests along the way, you may receive more opportunities than you ever imagined.” 

Myanmar Students Club Celebrates Thadingyut Festival

In late November, LaGuardia’s Myanmar Students Club hosted the Thadingyut Festival in the Poolside Café. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the Thadingyut Festival is the club’s largest event of the year. The festival is traditionally celebrated at the end of Vassa, a three-month period of religious retreat for Buddhist monks and nuns. President Kenneth Adams delivered remarks at the celebration, noting that by bringing the celebration to LaGuardia, members of the Myanmar Students Club keep tradition close to their hearts while away from family, and also teach peers about the culture of Myanmar. Attendees also enjoyed complimentary Burmese cuisine and participated in DIY lantern making, as well as painting and games.   

LaGuardia Students Participate in Model UN Conference

LaGuardia’s Model United Nations delegation recently attended the National Model United Nations conference in Washington, DC, where they represented the Republic of Ghana. Over the course of the three-day conference, 10 LaGuardia students practiced diplomacy and collaboration as they drafted resolutions and delivered speeches on issues ranging from disarmament and sustainable development to radioactive-waste management and sustainable tourism, among several other topics. LaGuardia was recognized for more than a decade of participation in the conference, and LaGuardia delegates Hellen K. Alexander Bolano and Miguelangel Guerrero received the Outstanding Position Paper award. The program extends its gratitude to the College Auxiliary for funding all conference and travel expenses; to colleagues in Business and Financial Operations for their support with procedures and purchase orders; and to numerous campus leaders—including Provost Billie Gastic Rosado, Vice President of Student Affairs Alexis McLean-McKessey, department chairs, and many faculty and staff—whose assistance made the delegation’s success possible.