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That night I shared that I am the granddaughter of a woman with a second-grade education who picked cotton. I keep a cotton stalk in my office to remind me that when things get tough, I must shore myself up and lean into the lessons of resilience from those who came before me and survived unbearable captivity, violence and oppression.

Now, all these years later, we are all being asked to be just as bold as Harriet. So, I ask everyone who is connected to the York family to think about Harriet because it’s time to get bold! If you haven’t been bold, it’s time! And if you haven’t thought about what you can do to further elevate those around you, to educate, to care about, to clarify and to encourage accountability in a different kind of way in these days, please do that in the name of Harriet.

Remember people fought hard for York College to be in Jamaica, Queens. People fought hard for the right to be free. And, we are still fighting today for educational equity.

York College has a mission and a vision for its future and for the young people of Southeast Queens and we are going to be bold at all times.

With appreciation for joining us in creating positive change and prosperity for all,

Berenecea Johnson Eanes

President

York Launches Tele-Health for Students

A Conversation with Kim Melendez, LCSW, MEd, Director of York’s Counseling Center

Why did York launch a 24/7 tele-health service?

York College is committed to supporting students both academically and holistically in order to foster their personal and professional growth and success. The college knows that virtual care is one of many important tools in enhancing the quality and the reach of current health and mental wellness services on our campus. Evidence-based research also shows that virtual, tele-mental health provides promising outcomes for positive self-management of mental health, medication adherence, psychoeducation, and symptom monitoring. The use of virtual, tele-mental health has also been shown to reduce self-reported psychiatric symptoms, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions.

Who can use the service and what does it cost to use?

Any enrolled York student can access the service. It is completely free to use: no insurance, no co-pays, no deductibles and no waiting for an appointment. York College is the first and only CUNY institution that offers FREE access to virtual mental health and physical health services. The service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, in over 150 languages with immediate access to mental health therapists and board-certified physicians.

What are some of the reasons students reach out to the service?

Students can reach out to the service for any physical health or mental health issue. They will have immediate access to speak to a doctor or therapist. Some common health issues are colds, coughs, headaches/migraines, the flu, suspected COVID, etc. Some common mental health issues are crisis assistance, academic difficulties, relationship issues, family struggles, or adjusting to college life.

Will my teachers or parents know I’ve called it?

No, the service is completely confidential and voluntary. However, as with any medical or mental health provider, there are certain circumstances in which confidentiality may not be protected, such as when a student is a danger to self or others or when abuse is suspected.

How will students know when they need help – doesn’t everyone get the blues or feel nervous sometimes?

Each mental health condition has its own signs and symptoms. In general, however, help might be needed if a student experiences one or more of the following, or other symptoms not listed:

• Marked changes in personality, eating or sleeping patterns

• An inability to cope with problems or daily activities

• Feeling of disconnection or withdrawal from normal activities

• Unusual or “magical” thinking

• Excessive anxiety

• Prolonged sadness, depression or apathy

• Thoughts or statements about suicide or harming others

• Substance misuse

• Extreme mood swings

• Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior

How do students sign up for the app?

https://www.york.cuny.edu/counseling-center/virtual-care-group-access

$1.3 Million Award from EPA to Help Southeast Queens Community

To support Southeast Queens residents’ health advocacy efforts, York College Environmental Health Science Professor, Dr. Dawn Roberts-Semple turned to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with two professors from Rutgers University and Medgar Evers College and secured a $1.3 million grant.

“This project will investigate whether air pollution in the Southeast Queens community is making children and older adults, including those with pre-existing health conditions more susceptible to daily exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ground-level ozone (O3), and other environmental toxins,” Dr. Semple explained.

“The complex interactions through which air pollution and climate change influence each other in the atmosphere cause their management to be consequential. Therefore, climate change mitigation policies can have significant co-benefits for air quality but the consequences of such policies have not been evaluated in frontline communities such as Southeast Queens, where residents experience climate-related health effects from events such as severe storms,” said Dr. Semple.

As the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Semple is working with her Co-PIs in partnership with local Jamaica organizations and researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai and the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. Together they will create a band of community scientists who will assess and monitor air pollutants in their neighborhood. “Residents have been advocating for themselves and have appealed to policymakers and legislators,” said Dr. Semple. “Now their findings can help them continue to demonstrate that these toxins are key variables connected to respiratory diseases affecting the community.”

Specifically, the study will employ community-based participatory research to increase the residents’ understanding of the adverse health effects of air pollution and related climatic factors. The aim is to empower residents to use such knowledge to develop recommendations and advocate for policies that will improve local air quality and mitigate climate change impacts for a better quality of life. These efforts include the reduction of greenhouse gases, some of which are also air pollutants, to alleviate the severity of health risks they pose, and inform decision-makers about climate-health solutions.

With the guidance of Dr. Semple, during their senior year as Environmental Health Science majors, Mayra Guaman and Justin Holder created videos to train Jamaica residents to collect PM2.5, change air filters, and illustrate how to use portable low-cost technology for air sampling. Residents will also learn how to collect and analyze tree leaf samples. “Our students are integral to this research, which leads to greater experiential learning opportunities,” said Dr. Semple. “When we work together to find solutions or help to alleviate problems that affect individuals and communities, that’s when science is complete and is at its best. We are grateful that the EPA’s funding will help us support our Southeast Queens’ neighbors,” she added.

Hear from York Senior Othia Salman who is about to graduate and change the world!

Heading to Washington and Landing a Job at Boeing

York College student Yannis Boadji is literally going places, thanks to working in collaboration with York’s Career Services.

At the end of June, the Information Systems Management major, will temporarily move to Everett, Washington for a summer internship, with a promise of a full-time permanent job upon his graduation next year. The company making this outstanding commitment is none other than Boeing, the commercial, defense and aerospace giant.

“I expect this internship to give me an idea of what my career in data analysis could look like,” Yannis explained. “Working to solve real-life problems will allow me to apply everything I’m learning so far inside and outside of the classroom during my college years. Additionally, Boeing is a Fortune 500 company, which means they are one of the top companies in the world. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with one of the best and learn from them. I believe having that name on my resume will definitely give it more weight.”

Yannis found the exciting opportunity through York’s Career Services Office, which advertised a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute event featuring recruiters from top companies. The Institute provides students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) career development opportunities.

Boeing wasn’t the only one trying to recruit Yannis. Wells Fargo wanted to interview him for a summer technology internship. But Yannis could not resist the opportunity being offered by Boeing.

Boeing’s paid internship comes with the same benefits package as that of the company’s permanent employees. It will even pay relocation fees and air fare. As a future permanent employee, he will also have tuition reimbursement for graduate school as well, and graduate studies are part of Yannis’ plans.

“I am so proud of Yannis and his commitment to the process of preparing for his career success,” said Ms. Chesney “Students" career development should be a partnership with the Career Services office, starting in their freshman year and continuing throughout college.”

Professor Lidia Gonzalez Challenges Math Myths

Dr. Gonazlez’s first book “Bad at Math? Dismantling the Harmful Beliefs that Hinder Equitable Mathematics Education” has just been published by Corwin Press. Her research focuses on improving the educational and mathematical learning experiences of urban youth, with an emphasis on how the intersections of race, class, social capital, and access to high quality mathematics instruction affect student success and academic identity.

Alumnus Spotlight: York Social Work Graduate Comes Full Circle

He came as a student, returned as an adjunct in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) and now is a lecturer in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at York College.

Professor Damien Pratt, a member of the York College Class of 2012, went on to earn his MSW at Hunter College a year after earning his undergraduate degree. After teaching at La Guardia Community College, he found himself back at York in 2018 as a substitute lecturer in the BSW program, where he had also earned his own BSW. He later transitioned to the MSW program where he has taught since 2020.

“York’s MSW program, which was established in 2018, is the first and only MSW program in Queens. Dr. Selena Rodgers, Founding Director of York’s MSW Program, has created a ground-breaking program with a focus on medical social work,” said Professor Pratt. “Returning to York as a full-time faculty member has been a great opportunity to give back to the community that enriched my journey. York and the relationships I made have been instrumental in my success. I believe life is reciprocal and it was time to give back.”

As to how he made it back to York as a professional, Professor Pratt says he had always stayed in touch with people he knew at York and it is now an advice he gives his students.

“I tell them, ‘Stay in touch and maintain relationships. Drop a line…’ he says. My goal is always to be motivating.”

We Are Pleased To Announce This Year’s Honorees

The One York! Community Impact Award honoree

Rudolph L. Wynter, Jr., President, National Grid New York

The One York! Community Impact Award honoree

Resorts World New York City

The One York! Trailblazer Award honoree

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks

The One York! Trailblazer Award honoree

Dr. Hazel Dukes President, NAACP New York State Conference

& Member of NACCP National Board of Directors

Join us at the One York! Gala

Thursday, April 27, 2023

READ MORE MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS >

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