Guttman’s Human Services (HSVC) Program is the second in New York State to receive Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) accreditation. HSVC, along with the college’s Center for Career Preparation and Partnerships, hosted the 2023 Spring Networking and Celebration for students completing their 250 fieldwork hours and the field associates who will be completing their two-semester internship with the Human Services Program. Read more.

Students Shenise Alexander and Holliday Senquiz were chosen to participate in the four-week James Baldwin Writer's Colony program beginning June 29 at Kasteel Well in The Netherlands, thanks to a connection forged by President Johnson with Provost Tony Pinder of Emerson College. “I look forward to de-westernizing my understanding of race during my time abroad and giving myself the much-needed push out of my comfort zone to make my writing even better,” said Holliday Senquiz, Liberal Arts major. Read more.

Selected as the first featured speaker at the May 26 annual CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP) held at LaGuardia Community College, student Woodcherleene Lozier presented her research on “The Impact of Human Capital on Women’s Socio-economic Status” under the mentorship of Professor of Business Sebastien Buttet. Lozier joined nine other Guttman undergraduates conducting research with six Guttman faculty. Professor of Chemistry Chulsung Kim leads Guttman’s CRSP program.

Photo courtesy of LaGuardia Community College.

On May 18, President Johnson and Guttman administrators hosted the 2023 Faculty and Staff Awards in Guttman’s Library, recognizing the hard work, outstanding service and stellar accomplishments of employees. Among notable recipients were:

• Interim Associate Director of Student Support and Academic Achievement Diana Zechowski - The President’s Award for Leadership
• Associate Professor of Anthropology Andrea Morrell - The Paul Naish Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Associate Professor of Psychology Tashana Samuel - The Provost’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship
• Information Services College Assistant Devon Pemberton - The Overall Presidential PROS Award

Thanks to outgoing 2022-23 Student Government Association Officers!

(L to R): Ryan Gordon, Thierno Diallo, Woodcherleene Lozier, Jonathan Saint Fleur and Selina Moreno

IT Integrated Certificate and Degree: Developing Talent in Cybersecurity 

Poised to meet both student and market needs, Guttman’s first accredited certificate program will launch this Fall, according to Information Technology Program Coordinator Jinzhong Niu. Specializing in detecting and responding to data security threats, students who complete the new Cybersecurity certificate or the new associate degree in Cybersecurity will enter the job market with critical, high-demand skills. Henry Street Settlement is partnering with Guttman to recruit 15 students for the Fall 2023 inaugural cohort. With the needs of adult learners in mind, courses will be scheduled for evenings and weekends, with transportation, technology assistance, and job placement services available.   

Students who complete the year-long certificate will have earned 33 credits which, if they choose, will apply toward an A.S. degree. Integrating nondegree and degree programs reflects the needs of today’s students whose sights are set on entering the workforce with financially secure, family sustaining earning potential—a goal that characterizes Guttman’s offerings coming down the pipeline. Facilitating the logistics of partnerships behind these developing initiatives is Dean of Academic Innovation and Career Success Curtis Dann-Messier, who is working alongside faculty with community and business partners to launch industry-responsive programs.  

Information Technology Apprenticeship Opportunities via New York Jobs CEO Council

Guttman Community College is the most recent CUNY school participating in the for-credit information technology apprenticeship program with The New York Jobs CEO Council. Information Technolology major Bryan Yu participated in the 15-week program at Ernst & Young (EY), which pays students to work 40 hours per week while obtaining up to nine college credits. Dr. Dalvin Hill serves as Guttman’s, faculty coordinator for the IT Apprenticeship Program, working with New York Jobs CEO Council to offer such opportunities for students.

Referring to his EY apprenticeship experience, Bryan describes the company as “a place where you will grow personally and professionally, and you are given room for learning and opportunities to meet people from many backgrounds.” He plans to obtain a baccalaureate degree in cybersecurity with the aim of contributing to the private security realm.

Stress Less During May Mental Health and Wellness Month

Deep breath in. Exhale out. This de-stressing moment is brought to you by Guttman’s Counseling and Wellness Center, all month long. Kicking off on May 2 with an all-campus dance event, the Center offered an array of events each week to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and promote self-care. With greater attention to the post-pandemic stressors experienced by young adults, colleges everywhere report an increase in students seeking support. On average, Guttman clinicians see about 8% of the student body, in addition to the students for whom they offer stand-alone, walk-in and crisis counseling.  

Clinicians Nicole Brown LMHC, Brittany Amede MHC-LP and Counselor Xioel Terrero offered six additional programs in May, seeking to impact the entire Guttman community. Featuring weekly Strength/HIIT Fitness sessions with Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach Mario Robinson, an Art With Impact workshop utilizing poetry and film to explore mental health and the culture of masculinity, an Instagram Live event hosted by the Sexual Health Task Force and an Atrium Game Day led by Abilities Club members, Guttman promotes a positive, inclusive take on wellness of mind and body.

Adelante Grant Supports Financial Literacy 

Thanks to the generosity of the Adelante Foundation, Guttman’s “Fin-Lit Team” aims to provide all students with the necessary tools to become knowledgeable and responsible managers of their finances, enabling them to plan, prepare, and achieve their financial goals. Guttman Director of Financial Aid Cristina Ortiz-Harvey, Associate Director of Academic Innovation and Career Success Errol Olton, Student Success Advocate Uriah Brown, and Adjunct Assistant Professor and CUNY Law’s Director of Financial Aid Angela Joseph hosted the initial workshop titled "The Impact of Living with Student Debt."

Student Success Funds Experiential Learning  

On May 18, Health and Human Services Policy class and their professor, Dr. Anya Spector, attended a curated exhibit and guided tour on the history of social activism in NYC at the Museum of the City of New York as part of our focus on social justice policy advocacy. This opportunity was made possible through Student Success funds provided by the Stella and Charles Guttman Endowment.

History Comes to Life in the Genealogy Project

This Spring, dozens of Guttman students, faculty and staff are busy exploring trees and digging up roots. That’s family trees and ancestral roots. “I’ve always been interested in finding out about the past,” said Genealogy Project facilitator Sylvester Allen, Disability Accommodations Specialist with Guttman’s Office of AccessAbility. He got the idea for a workshop back in January while searching for resources to use for Black History Month and approached Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Nicola Blake. Thus, Guttman’s Genealogy Project was born, consisting of four 90-minute sessions in which participants learn ways to preserve the past for future generations using historical records, online databases, and oral interviews. Attendees enjoy sharing surprises as they trace their lineages, with one staff member elated to find her grandmother’s photographs and marriage certificate. According to Allen, piecing together one’s family tree can lead to planning family reunions and traveling on what he calls “curiosity trips.” “In our research, my cousin and I discovered a large number of Allens on Hilton Head Island, SC. This summer, we’re heading down there to see if we like them,” he joked. This month’s series has been so popular, Allen will offer it again in the Fall.

Let’s Hear it for APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Heritage Month!  

Forty-five years ago, Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage during the first week of May because of two important anniversaries: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869.This month, in celebration of the vibrant cultural traditions and lasting contributions of all Asian Americans, Guttman’s May calendar was packed with lively activities and talented guest performers. Bollywood dancers, haiku-writing, art field trip, queer and trans story-telling, karaoke party, a Wishing Tree, and even eating ramen with chopsticks got the whole Guttman community onboard, thanks to the creative programming team led by Connect Center Associate Director Dana LePage, Assistant Professor Vivian Lim, and Director of College Admissions Sophea So.

Highlighting Transfer Success

The Office of Advising and Transfer Support offered a two-day Transfer Bridge Program on May 11 and 16 with the Annual Transfer Alumni Panel, representing Guttman alums who transferred to Queens College, Hunter, Baruch and Columbia University. Students learned about CUNY EDGE, a partnership between the New York City Human Resources Administration and the University available at all senior colleges, ACE at Lehman, CJA at John Jay, and the Transfer Honors Program at Queens College.

2023 Commencement will take place on Wednesday, June 21, 9 a.m. at Bryant Park with keynote speaker Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of Public Service Engagement Andrea Shapiro Davis.