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"Campus Update" is a weekly e-newsletter published by LaGuardia's Division of Communications and External Affairs to provide news and information to the college community.

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NEWS

Closing Sessions, Holiday Reception and Faculty Council Auction Mark End of Fall I 

With just a few days left in Fall I, LaGuardia faculty and staff gathered in the Little Theater for Closing Sessions, presented by President Kenneth Adams. Highlights from the 2024 ‘year in review’ included major grant awards, including $1 million from ConEd, $235K from Gerstner Philanthropies, $5.8 million from NYS Department of Education, and $116 million from The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. Several student achievements were also recognized: two Goldwater Scholars, new clinical internships with Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the tenth annual CUNY Undergraduate Research Scholars Program symposium. If you missed these and the many other milestones featured, a recording of Closing Sessions is available on YouTube. Following the presentation, the LaGuardia community gathered in the E-Atrium for a seasonal tradition — the Faculty Council Auction and Plant Sale. A wide array of art, artifacts and baked goods were awarded to the highest bidders; the proceeds all benefit Faculty Council scholarships available to students.  

Bangladesh Student Association Hosts Bangladesh Night 

LaGuardia’s Bangladesh Student Association (BSA) collaborated with City College of New York (CCNY) for the first time to celebrate Bangladesh Night on November 22. During the celebration, faculty mentor Sada Hye Jaman and President Kenneth Adams shared remarks and expressed gratitude to the current members, alumni, and guests. The celebration, which took place on the Mainstage Theater featured cultural activities such as singing, dancing, drama, and fashion shows, enriching our students’ leadership and sense of belonging to the campus culture. BSA president Tuhin Akand and the team (Arpa Acharjee, Shawon Malakar, Md. Muzahidul Islam Provat, Jahid Hasan, Alief Khan, Jannatul Jui) invited all students to promote inclusivity and diverse culture. Students from all over the CUNY and SUNY systems attended the event. LaGuardia's BSA thanks CCNY BSA President Ashfaq Ahmed and his teams (Akib Zaman, Mahfuza Alam, and Rafi Islam) for their partnership in coordinating and hosting the event. 

Sustainability Council Hosts First Annual Transportation Safety Resources Fair

LaGuardia’s Sustainability Council held its first annual Transportation Safety Resources Fair in the lobby of the C-Building on December 4. The fair showcased a variety of resources to promote safe transportation practices within our community. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from representatives of the NYC Department of Transportation, 511 NY Rideshare, and CITIBIKE, among other organizations that tabled the event. These organizations shared safety tips and informational materials on available services and local initiatives to enhance transportation safety. For more information about the Sustainability Council’s programming, you can reach out to SustainabilityCouncil@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Visual Arts Reception to Take Place December 5

The LaGuardia Community College Foundation and LaGuardia's Visual Arts Area will be hosting a reception and gallery tour on December 5 at 1:00 p.m. in E-518 and the E-Building Fifth Floor Gallery. The reception will feature the artworks of the first Visual Arts Scholars. To RSVP for the reception and gallery tour, click here.

Annual Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland with Joffrey Ballet School Returns on Sunday, December 15 

The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) invites the LaGuardia community to reserve tickets for The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland, a beloved holiday tradition for over 20 years. Featuring a special performance by the Joffrey Ballet School, the event will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, in LPAC’s Mainstage Theater. The Joffrey Ballet School’s Children and Youth program will perform a one-hour version of The Nutcracker, tailored for school-aged children and their families. After the performance, families are invited to Santa's Toyland in LPAC’s Little Theater, where children can meet Santa Claus and receive a special gift. Ticket prices start at $15 for students, with a $2 convenience fee per ticket. Discounts are available for the LaGuardia community and groups. Faculty, staff, and students must use their college email for discount approval. No RSVP is required for Santa’s Toyland; admission is included with a ticket for The Nutcracker

ANNOUNCEMENTS

December: Religious and Ethnic Holidays and Observances 

LaGuardia aims to be an inclusive and welcoming environment with an appreciation for celebrations and observances that are important to a wide range of cultures and religions. Here are just a few of the religious and cultural observances recognized in our community throughout the month of December:  


  • December 1 - 24: Advent 
  • December 25 - January 2: Hanukkah 
  • December 25: Christmas 
  • December 26 - January 1: Kwanzaa 

 

For a full listing of holidays and observations celebrated this month and throughout the year, please visit the CUNY Religions & Ethnic Holiday Calendar

Sign Up to Add a Professional Headshot to Your Faculty Profile

LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting a series of “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! Your headshot can be used for a variety of purposes, and adds a personal touch to your Faculty Profile on the LaGuardia website. The last Photo Day of 2024 will be held December 11, with timeslots available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room E-509. Book your timeslot here. For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471.

LaGuardia Offers Funding Resources for Virtually Every Student

Through the Friedman Fund for new New Yorkers, any eligible student at LaGuardia can receive support through scholarships, experiential learning stipends, and emergency aid, to help students complete their degree or continuing education program. Students of any citizenship status can apply for support through the LaGuardia Foundation here

LaGuardia CARES Supports Students in Need

LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation, medical expense, tuition, books, supplies, and more. If you know a student in need, consider directing them to LaGuardia CARES to learn more about their services. If you're interested in supporting LaGuardia CARES' work, click here to learn more about donating.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Dr. Kyoko Toyama Interviewed on NHK Media about Getting Hibakusha’s Message to American Students  

Dr. Kyoko Toyama, College Discovery counselor and Japanese language professor, was interviewed on NHK Media (Nihon Hoso Kyokai), often referred to as Japan’s BBC, about the Nobel Peace Prize awarded this year to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. For nearly 40 years, Dr. Toyama has advocated for Nihon Hidankyo, acting as a liaison between the organization and young Americans. She supports its mission to abolish nuclear weapons and promote the rights of survivors, known as hibakusha, of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. The news story includes footage from the November 2023 LaGuardia visit by Nihon Hidankyo Co-Chair Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki, who was welcomed by President Kenneth Adams. It also features Erik Holtsclaw (’24, Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Toyama’s former student who is currently pursuing a bachelor’s at City College, and Matthew Sarkowicz, an adjunct instructor in English at LaGuardia and a high school librarian. The story aired on NHK on December 3 and 4. The story begins at 3:25.  

Morgan Stanley Financial Health Conference Inspires Students 

Students attended an enriching Financial Health Conference hosted by LaGuardia's Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) and Morgan Stanley on November 20. At the conference's various sessions, students gleaned valuable insights on investing and leveraging LinkedIn for professional growth. The event featured a career panel, discussions on internships, and an exploration of the diverse career opportunities available at Morgan Stanley, regardless of major. This inspiring experience broadened students' perspectives on financial planning and professional possibilities.

ASAP Students Tour CCNY's Grove School of Engineering 

On November 12, ASAP students participated in an engaging campus tour at the City College of New York to explore transfer opportunities and learn more about programs offered by the Grove School of Engineering. The tour provided valuable insights into STEM and engineering disciplines, fostering academic and professional aspirations. ASAP staff members Lucila Sanchez and Charis Victory accompanied the group, supporting students as they gained a deeper understanding of pathways in engineering and STEM fields. 

Dr. Harold Takooshian to Give Talk on Environmental and Urban Psychology

Members of the LaGuardia community are invited to attend Dr. Harold Takooshian’s lecture, entitled “The Origins of Environmental Psychology and Urban Psychology at CUNY,” on Zoom, Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Takooshian is a Professor of Psychology and Urban Studies and the Director of the Organizational Leadership Program at Fordham University. A CUNY graduate, Dr. Takooshian studied under Stanley Milgram during the early days of environmental psychology and urban psychology. You can access the lecture on Zoom (Meeting ID: 882 9865 3759; Passcode: 315366).

ASAP Student Jonathan Machado Honored for Leadership and Creativity 

Congratulations to Jonathan Machado, recipient of the 2024 ASAP STEM Recognition Award and the newly appointed President of LaGuardia's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter. Jonathan is actively contributing to cutting-edge cancer research in collaboration with Columbia University, focusing on innovative treatments and enhanced patient care. He recently attended the New York PTK Regionals Conference, where he showcased a powerful art collage highlighting his belief in the transformative power of art therapy. Additionally, Jonathan is an NIH Scholar and an active member of LaGuardia's President’s Society, reflecting his commitment to scientific discovery, leadership, and community engagement. ASAP proudly celebrates Jonathan's outstanding achievements and his dedication to academic excellence and innovation within the ASAP and PTK communities. 

Complete High Impact Practice (HIP) Survey by Friday


Faculty are invited to complete a brief survey on High Impact Practices (HIPs) at LaGuardia. HIPs are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that have been shown to significantly improve student learning and engagement. This survey seeks to examine which high impact practices are used meaningfully at LaGuardia and to identify faculty and staff who are incorporating HIPs into their work. Faculty are encouraged to submit responses to the survey by Friday, December 6. Click here to complete the survey.

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Welcome Back from Thanksgiving Break!

We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner just as much as eight-year-old Duncan Wagner, son of Mayor Robert Wagner, did at Gracie Mansion in 1954! 

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance

Students looking for enrollment services support can now access virtual office hours every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Virtual One Stop takes place on Zoom and allows students to drop in and meet with staff from the Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services, Student Information Center, Transfer Credit Evaluation and Testing offices.  

RED HAWK ATHLETICS

Cheer for the LaGuardia Red Hawks Women’s and Men’s Basketball


The mighty Red Hawks invite students, faculty and staff to support them during the following upcoming games. Show your school spirit and support the Red Hawks. Check the Athletics website for full schedules: 

Women’s Basketball


  • December 5, 5:30 p.m. at Queensborough
  • December 7, 1 p.m. vs. Suffolk
  • December 10, 6 p.m. at Bronx CC
  • December 14, 12 p.m. at Sullivan CC

Men’s Basketball 


  • December 5, 7:30 p.m. at Queensborough
  • December 7, 3 p.m. vs. Suffolk County
  • December 10, 8 p.m. at Bronx CC
  • December 14, 2 p.m. at Sullivan CC

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library

  • Good luck with finals! The Library will be open during regular hours through December 14. Please see our calendar for more details. 
  • Need a study break? Relax with puzzles in the Library!
  • Need one credit for Fall II? Check out LRC 103, our Internet Research Strategies course. You can find more information about this class and our other classes here
  • Free digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are available to all students, staff, and faculty. Use your LaGuardia email to sign up. 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Receive Your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095C Forms Electronically 


As an employee of a CUNY Community College, you may choose to have your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms delivered electronically instead of by paper copy. Electronic Delivery is voluntary, secure and accurate. To choose Electronic Delivery, log in to your NYCAPS Employee Self-Service (ESS) account. The electronic version can be viewed, printed and/or downloaded. 


Employees are reminded: 


  • If you have previously chosen Electronic Delivery, do not re-enroll. 
  • To electronically receive your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C Forms, select the paperless option in ESS before noon, Friday, January 3, 2025. 
  • You will receive an email providing instructions for securely accessing your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms. 
  • If you choose electronic delivery after noon, Friday, January 3, 2025, your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms will be printed and mailed directly to you. 
  • All employees in an inactive leave status on Friday, January 3, 2025 will have their 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms printed and mailed directly to them.


For more information about NYCAPS, visit About NYCAPS Employee Self-Service. If you have questions, contact LaGuardia’s Payroll Department at payroll@lagcc.cuny.edu or ext. 5518. 

Your TRS Benefits: December Online Class Schedule 


Whether you’re making retirement plans or you just started your career, TRS (Teacher’s Retirement System) offers valuable online classes on many aspects of membership. 


The December schedule is listed below. If you would like to attend an online class, you must register in advance by clicking the link for each program and submitting the registration form. Please read the class titles carefully to ensure you are registering for a session designed for your membership and tier status. 



Visit TRS Educational Programs for a complete listing of classes through January 30, 2025.

You’re Invited to the TIAA Tax Deferred Annuity Plan Webinar  

Contributing to the CUNY Voluntary Savings Retirement Plan (Tax Deferred Annuity Plan) can help supplement your retirement benefits and may help you reach your long-term financial goals. You’re invited to join TIAA on Wednesday, December 11th at 11 AM for a webinar on their Tax Deferred Annuity Plan. Register at CUNY Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan Overview. This webinar is open to all employees. 

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What Is a Smishing Scam? How To Protect Yourself 


Smishing scams (also known as robotext scams) involve receiving unsolicited, automated text messages that impersonate a familiar business, government agency, or financial institution. Often, smishing scam texts try to capitalize on your fear, saying you could lose money if you don’t respond, or trick you into giving them your personal or financial information. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Robocall Response Team recently issued a new alert warning that scammers are increasingly using text messages. 


Here are six tips to protect yourself from a smishing scam:


  1. Don’t respond to suspicious text messages – delete them instead. 
  2. Never click on hyperlinks or attachments in suspect messages, which could install harmful malware on your devices. 
  3. Set your software/hardware to update automatically. 
  4. Use multi-factor authentication. 
  5. Only share personal and financial information through secure channels, not by text, email, or phone call. 
  6. Report suspicious text messages to the FCC, the FTC, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, your mobile carrier, and any company whose name appears in the suspicious text. 


For more guidance, visit online security and identity theft. If you have any questions, please contact our IT HelpDesk at: ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu

Introducing the DoIT Project Management Office (PMO) Request Form!


We are pleased to announce the launch of a new, streamlined process for requesting project management services from the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Project Management Office (PMO). The PMO coordinates a wide range of initiatives using rigorous project management methodologies, ensuring structured guidance and successful outcomes. In an advisory capacity, the PMO involves stakeholders, e.g., Student Affairs (SA) and Academic Affairs (AA), to establish IT-related project requirements, produce detailed planning, scheduling and work documents, and coordinate ongoing activities for the duration of a project.


To request PMO support for your IT-related projects and provide us with a clear understanding of your project needs, complete and submit the PMO Request Form. You can access the form in the Faculty and Staff Portal. On the left-side navigation, under “Request Support,” select “Project Management Office Request Form.” Please refer to the “How to Start a Project Management Request” guide for help with accessing and completing the form. Once we review your form, a project manager will contact you to discuss your request and outline the next steps.


For questions or additional information, please contact Jetmir Troshani at jtroshani@lagcc.cuny.edu.


IT Reminder: Complete Mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training


This is an important reminder to log in to Blackboard and complete the Cybersecurity Awareness Training course. You can find this course under the “Organizations” tab, along with the other essential annual training courses required for CUNY employees. This course was developed specifically for CUNY and covers phishing attacks, spam, and best practices for protecting your CUNY accounts and sensitive data. We encourage you to take it as soon as possible to protect the University's data, as well as your own. Your active involvement is crucial to our collective security efforts. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Maritza Acero.  


LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

INSIDE HIGHER ED:How Dr. Milena Cuéllar and other LaGuardia Community College instructors make math relevant and exciting for students. 


LIC POST:The LaGuardia Community College Foundation is seeking donations on Giving Tuesday, December 3, to support students. Additionally, LaGuardia CARES is requesting donations of non-perishable food, winter clothing, and toiletries to assist students during the upcoming holiday season, a time when needs are often greatest, especially for student-parents. 


NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS: Jasmine Edwards, a professor at LaGuardia Community College and certified therapeutic recreation specialist, serves on the board of Arts For All, an arts organization dedicated to bringing artistic opportunities to students in New York City.  


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"Campus Update" is produced and published by the Communications and External Affairs Division. Faculty and staff who wish to submit items for publication can email CampusUpdate@lagcc.cuny.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday.