A Message from the President

Dear Friends & Supporters:

Do you remember the simple wisdom from The Cat in the Hat? “You'll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do.” As we usher in 2024, I am happy to continue amplifying the work of our students, faculty, staff and senior leadership.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr.

End-of-the-year video from President Johnson

President Adds Perspective

President Larry Johnson and Vice President of Administration and Finance Mary Coleman visited with Dr. Barbara Kairson, President of the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, on Dec. 5 to discuss possible collaborations. Kairson spoke with advisors and members of the College’s student organization Women of G.R.I.T. (Gratitude, Resilience, Integrity and Talent) and greeted her fellow Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters on Guttman’s staff.

Dr. Johnson, joined by Guttman’s Admission and Financial Aid teams, met with Harlem youth on December 5 at a Macomb’s Bridge Library for the final “Get-to-Know Guttman Community College” event in partnership with New York Public Library (NYPL)’s College and Career Pathways Initiative, in which he and Guttman teams toured all of the NYPL’s Harlem branches. The teens learned about the College’s programs and supports and were guided through the new FASFA process and application materials needed to apply for admission to Guttman for the coming semester. Read more.

Dr. Johnson met with New York City

K-12 leaders to explore opportunities

to provide students in Harlem and surrounding communities access to Guttman Community College. The invitees were (from L-R), Dr. Stanley Mims, Superintendent Sean Davenport and Superintendent Gary Beidleman.

News Around Campus

Information Services Team Works IT Magic

Delivering on a major priority of Guttman’s Strategic Plan, to “Optimize Operations,” John Stroud, Chief Information Officer, Rob Klein, Director of Information Technology, and the Information Services team are hard at work strengthening online security, upgrading interactive classroom and library technology, switching to new essential management platforms and applications, updating student laptops, creating a virtual hub for in-house communications, and outfitting newly-constructed classrooms on the 6th floor of Guttman South with state-of-the art projection, voice and sound amplification. “We have passed major milestones with updates!” says Stroud.

New and Renewed Spaces for the New Year

Have you seen Guttman lately? Our Facilities team, led by Shirley Law, is making exciting updates to student spaces at Guttman South with campus beautification initiatives designed to increase everyone’s sense of belonging and community.

The first thing you’ll notice is that all classrooms and hallways were refreshed with paint and accent walls aligned with our brand colors. Ceiling tiles, hallway lighting and bathroom facilities have also been refreshed.

There’s new signage on each floor, including the College’s value statements. Electronic monitors are being installed to enhance our directory presentation.

On the Lower Level, the Connect Center with its accessible Food Pantry and the Student Center “Den” have been completed. Throughout the building, student spaces and the library are being outfitted with new furniture.

Our wellness clinicians have created a small Relaxation Station on the 4th floor where students can meditate, draw, engage in yoga or do mindful breathing.

Faculty have submitted specs for a world-class, industry-ready IT lab and department chairs are finding a representative to procure furniture for the remainder of the new 6th floor classrooms (to be ready Fall 2024).

FUNDING UPDATES

Responding in Harlem World Magazine to Mayor Adams’ Dec. 11 announcement of an “Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” the City’s roadmap for young people to enter the workforce, President Johnson said, “The CUNY 2x Tech Grant provides Guttman Community College the opportunity to continue building our workforce programming.” He continued, “Through the Career Innovation Hub, Guttman plans to provide skilled talent to meet the growing workforce needs in New York City. As a campus of the CUNY system, Guttman joins its sister college recipients in bolstering the goals of CUNY Lifting New York in becoming the engine of upward mobility and advancement for all residents of New York City and New York State.”

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Honors Program Book Talk

Promoting Guttman’s Honors Program launching this Fall 2 semester, Professor Ria Banerjee interviewed Dr. Elizabeth Blake, Clark University faculty in English/Literary Studies, during a Dec. 1 book talk of Clark’s new work, " Edible Arrangements: Modernism's Queer Forms."

Women in Higher Ed Feature

Women in Higher Education profiled Jaclyn Helms, Guttman's executive officer for diversity, equity and compliance. Jaclyn discussed how she builds community to create equitable access and engagement.

Vogue Dance Workshop

Vogue fundamentals and the rich history of ballroom culture was the topic of a Dec. 5 workshop presented by Dominican-American actor/dancer Jason Anthony Rodriguez. The NYC native co-starred on the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated show Pose and served as movement coach and choreographer for Season 2.

Undergraduate Research Presentation

Liberal Arts and Sciences student Aaliyah Harris presented her CUNY Research Scholars Program study of polyphenols in food and food waste in Philadelphia on Dec. 5 at the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Annual Conference.

Holiday Fitness

Sponsored by the Office of Student Life and LuluLemon, students competed for the Grizzly designation of “Student Life Fitness Champions” in a holiday pre-exam session of High Impact Intensity Training (HIIT) on Dec. 5.

High School Counselors Reception

On Dec. 7, Guttman Admissions Office hosted its popular Counselor and Educators Reception on campus as an opportunity to thank and update our colleagues in area high schools across the five boroughs.

Human Services Hosts Send-off for Field Work Students

Faculty, staff, and students in the Human Services major, along with The Center for Career Preparation and Partnerships, hosted a Farewell Celebration for program Field Associates on Dec. 8.