You may remember Room MB-05 as the Barnes and Noble Bookstore—but ever since the college moved its bookstore operations online, the space has been in need of a refresh. The folks in the Division of Student Affairs have been working hard to convert the space into a student lounge for students to spend time in between classes. Earlier in the semester, Student Affairs and the Division of Communications and External Affairs worked together to host a student mural design contest—the winning mural, designed by Fine Arts student Losanda Ahmed, was installed in the lounge and unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 27. Now the space is abuzz with students meeting up with friends, studying, and getting a little rest and relaxation in before their next class.

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If you're spending your summer in the city this year, consider checking out the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC)'s upcoming Summer of Fun event series taking place through July. The series of free events kicked off last week with LaGuardia's Cinco/ Seis de Mayo celebration, and there are several other events coming up, including film screenings, Pride celebrations, choral performances, and World Cup watch parties. The series is presented in collaboration with Casa de las Américas, CREAR Futuros, MORE Opera, and numerous community partners.

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• CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez visited LaGuardia's campus on April 20, where he and LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams sat in on an American Sign Language course taught by Professor John Collins, Director of the Deaf Studies Program (see photos above).
• LaGuardia was recently named a semi-finalist for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a prestigious $1 million award. The winner will be announced in Spring 2027; LaGuardia is the only CUNY school, and the only college in all of New York State, to be selected as a semifinalist for the 2027 prize.
• The annual Black Empowerment Summit took place on April 29; students, faculty, and community members gathered at LaGuardia for a day of reflection and dialogue focused on the theme "Mind Your Mouth: Listen with Purpose & Speak with Power."
• Last week, 44 LaGuardia students were inducted to the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, an honor society recognizing high-achieving college students with disabilities. This year also marks the LaGuardia chapter's 10th anniversary.

Three LaGuardia students have been selected to receive the competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. These scholarships will enable them to participate in study abroad experiences in Taiwan, South Korea, and France. Brandon Parker (pictured to the right), an Environmental Science: Sustainable Urban Agriculture student, will study environmental sustainability in Taiwan this summer, thanks to the Gilman Scholarship. Brandon hopes to gain international experience aligned with his academic and professional goals, with an emphasis on hands‑on learning. Meanwhile, Computer Science student Calvin Chin will study in South Korea during Winter Recess and Photography student Daniel Isaiah Pabon will head to France this summer to sharpen his photography skills.

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Last month, Dr. Kyoko Toyama took students in her College Discovery Honors & Leadership Seminar on a trip to tour the United Nations. This was the first time these students had ever been to the United Nations before, so the visit gave them a  new understanding of the role the UN plays, while also raising thoughtful questions about how it influences global issues, particularly in countries affected by war. The students also met with LaGuardia alumnus Hashim Abdullah, who now works in the UN's Office of Global Communications.