A Message from the President | | |
Dear Friends and Supporters,
What an exciting and celebratory month it has been at Guttman Community College! In this issue, you’ll find highlights that reflect our commitment to community, student leadership, and academic excellence. We were pleased to honor Pride Month with dynamic programming from our Student Life and leadership team in collaboration with the Stonewall LGBTQ+ Club.
This edition also marks the close of an academic year filled with progress and triumphs. I invite you to view a short video update that highlights our journey toward achieving the goals outlined in Guttman Forward 2028 and moments that remind us why we are #GuttmanProud.
As we conclude June, we also commemorate CUNY-recognized observances such as Juneteenth and Eid al-Adha—meaningful acknowledgments that underscore the rich diversity of our community and our continued commitment to the strategic pillar of “Elevating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.”
This will be my final issue of Press from the Prez. I am deeply proud of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have contributed their voices and stories over the past four years. Beginning July 14, I will begin a new chapter as president of Bronx Community College.
Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. May the summer bring you rest and inspiration—and remember, the best is still yet to come.
With warm appreciation,
| | Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr. ("Dr. J") | | |
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on the Bryant Park Lawn
“And just like that,” Guttman’s Class of 2025 turned their tassels and stepped from Bryant Park into their futures. As June turned up, so did students eager to graduate...
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Turning it Up for The Stellas
All aboard at Chelsea Piers at 4 p.m. and serving looks, Guttman graduates, award recipients and invited staff and faculty walked the red carpet for the annual Stella Awards and Cruise Dinner Party on 6/5. Vibing hard to a live DJ’s beat in the glow of an NYC sunset and twinkling skyline, everyone enjoyed dinner and cheered this year’s Stella’r Award winners.
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Rise, Shine and Get in Line
The Guttman Community College Foundation Board and Dr. Larry Johnson welcomed special guests to campus for a Pre-commencement Celebration breakfast on the morning of 6/17. Meanwhile, faculty, staff and College administrators pulled their academic regalia from the back of their closets and prepared to march to the time-honored tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
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No One Walks Alone
For every graduate who received their diploma in the mist falling upon Midtown’s lush green space, there stood an army of loved ones who believed in them early or late, supported as and when they could, and whether present on 6/17 or not, through smiles or tears, dreamed for them the best that life can offer.
| | During the ceremony, graduates and attendees enjoyed speeches from CUNY and Guttman leadership as well as keynote speaker Keisha Sutton-James, Manhattan deputy borough president. See our Commencement press release. | | First-Ever Alumni Reunion | | Alumni Connection & Celebration: College’s Decade of Growth Event | | |
More than 200 alumni attended Guttman Community College’s first major alumni event, held on 6/26 at John Jay College from 6 to 8 p.m. President Johnson and the Guttman Community College Foundation Board invited all former Grizzlies to reconnect with fellow alumni, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate over a decade of growth since the College’s first graduating class walked the stage in 2014.
Robert Pagan, senior advisor for partnerships, alumni engagement and development, said “What an incredible evening we shared at Guttman’s first-ever all class year reunion! It was truly heartwarming to see alumni from every class year come together—reconnecting with old friends, beloved faculty, and the Guttman community that helped shape their journeys. The energy, stories, and spirit of the night reminded us just how far we’ve come and how vital our alumni are to the College’s ongoing mission. This reunion wasn’t just a celebration of the past ten years—it was a powerful step forward in building an even stronger future together.” Read more.
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Guttman Alumni: Update your contact information so you don't miss out on future events and programming! Complete our online form.
| | | | PRESIDENT ADDS PERSPECTIVE | |
The Guttman Difference: The HUB
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If you’re not from Guttman, you probably think of a trip to the bursar’s office or to the registrar with the same anticipation as a trip to your phone carrier or an appointment with the dentist. Luckily, a trip at Guttman is different. The HUB - Student Information Center is the place to go with questions about the admissions process, financial aid, paying your bill and registering for classes. Readily accessible on the third floor of Guttman South, someone at the HUB has answers. In fact, they guarantee it.
“We treat students like individuals—they are not a number to us. By personalizing our services, we don’t want to send them on a wild goose chase,” stated HUB Supervisor Shani Pierce. Enrollment Coordinator Shornalyn Baptiste added, “We answer questions about almost everything, and students understand that we can help them—they keep coming back!” Read more.
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Proud and Strong
Pride Month — a time of LGBTQ+ awareness and joy, inviting the community to learn from the past, live authentically in the present and face the future with solidarity and courage — kicked off on 6/3.
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Year-End Recognition of Accomplishments
On 6/3, the Office of AccessABILITY Services held its annual Recognition Ceremony to celebrate over 40 graduates. More than 30 students excelled academically with over 3.0 GPAs. Student organizations Women of GRIT and United Men of Color (UMOC) honored their graduates and applauded members’ leadership and engagement.
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Faculty Offer Campus Workshops
Professor Maya Mason hosted a 6/9 artist workshop for students, faculty and staff to create self-portraits. The same day, “What’s Next? A Discussion on the Upcoming Mayoral Election,” was facilitated by Dr. Douglas Medina and the Office of Student Life.
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Connect Center: Free Meals —No Questions Asked
Throughout May and early June, The Connect Center partnered with ReThink Food, a sustainable kitchen model using uneaten food to create nourishing, culturally celebrated meals for Guttman students. On 6/11, students were able to pick up a bag of fresh produce and grocery staples from Corbin Farm, another valued contributor to the College’s food pantry.
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PSIT Yearly Retreat
The President's Strategy and Implementation Team (PSIT) gathered for their annual retreat on 6/12. After a rousing game of Two Truths and a Lie, the group discussed strategic priorities, programming, events and budget considerations for the 2025-2026 academic year.
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FYE Summer Institute: Where the Magic Happens
With Spring 1 semester grades posted, faculty, advisors and librarians regrouped on 6/21 and 6/23 to plan fall courses during the annual First Year Experience (FYE) Summer Institute. Consisting of learning communities led by instructional teams, Guttman’s signature FYE offers experiential learning, math across the curriculum and a multidisciplinary introduction to social justice.
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Escaping Summer Heat
Six Flags Great Adventure was the destination on 6/27 for 50 Grizzlies to head into the wilds of Jackson Township, New Jersey. The students enjoyed a day of outdoor fun and relaxation, closing out a busy month before diving into Spring 2 classes and summer jobs.
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Announcing Guttman’s Newly Elected SGA Leadership Team!
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 student government representatives:
- First row: Vice President Ariba Sikder, President Jerry Gordillo, Secretary Antonio Russo
- Second row: Treasurer Brad Lynch, Senator Randy Cazado
| | GET TO KNOW OUR GRADUATES | | | | |
Mamadou Keita – IT, '25
The Stella Award for Peer Leader-Outstanding Leadership
“Next steps for me are going to Baruch College for Computer Information Systems for my bachelor's and possibly master’s. I'm going to stay as a peer mentor at Guttman Community College for work.”
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John Ruiz – Urban Studies, '25
Recognition of Outstanding Student Engagement, Honors
“I work in the Office of AccessABILITY Services as a service provider. My most memorable class as an Urban Studies major was Introduction to Urban Planning and Policy. I learned more about my neighborhood, and it gave me more motivation to want to make a change.”
| | Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff Dr. Rosslyn Knight was selected as a 2025-2026 Rising Presidents Fellow in Aspen Institute's College Excellence Program. Knight joins the cohort in leading community colleges to higher levels of student success. Read more. | | Associate Director of Career Innovation Hub LaShonna Turner and CCPP Director Patricia Jean represented Guttman in Philadelphia on 6/11 at NACE 2025, describing how the College’s Faculty and Staff Fellows program participation furthers students’ career competencies. | | Dr. Anya Spector was chosen by her peers for The Paul Naish Award for Excellence in Teaching. | | Instructor Kenji Logie received the Award for Excellence in Teaching for Part-time Faculty. | | Student Success Advocate Keshia Daniel was chosen for The President’s Award for Leadership. | | Assistant Dean Elisa Hertz earned peer recognition awards, including those for leadership and collaboration. | | | | |
