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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.

NEWS

I Spy LaGuardia on the 7 Train


LaGuardia just launched a new ad campaign on the 7 train line, right here in Queens. We want our home borough to know about the upcoming #SpringSemester at #LAGCC - starting March 7. Big shout out to all the students who helped us by being part of this project! Make sure to look for LaGuardia at your local Queens subway platform, at tag us on Instagram and Facebook @LaGuardiaCC.

Building Operations Team Members Act Quickly to Stop Water Damage in C-Building


On December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day), cold temperatures caused the sprinkler heads to freeze and eventually pop, causing some flood damage on the 7th, 4th, and 1st floors of the C-building. Members of the Buildings Operations team were quick to respond and were able to keep water from causing further flood damage to walls and floors. The sprinkler system was fixed the following day, and the team is currently putting the final touches to repair some water damage that occurred in the C-Building. This shout out is going to the Building Operations team members including Craig Soloman, Brandon Taylor, Bobby Lowmark and Richie Curtin, who responded on December 25. Also, special thanks to team members Yung Zhou and Zoran Sjenicic who are finishing the work on the affected floors.  

Solving Workforce Skills Gaps: Community Colleges, Employers and Integrators


President Kenneth Adams recently spoke with the Social Impact Review of Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative, alongside Richard Kane and Barry Puritz. "Solving Workforce Skills Gaps: Community Colleges, Employers and Integrators” was the focus of the interview. President Adams highlighted Continuing Education’s medical billing specialist program at LaGuardia, which was developed through the Harvard Business School Club of NY (HBS Club of NY) Skills Gap Initiative. This initiative sought to define specific needs of employers and develop training programs to prepare new workers for employment.  

LaGuardia Students Draw Upon Inspiration


Students enrolled in Beginning Drawing (HUA 100) visited the 5th floor of the the E-Building to work on perspective. Brian Zegeer, adjunct professor in Humanities says students are spending time to work on perspective as part of their course work.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

LaGuardia Political Science Major Nicholas Hetherington Applies Theater Background to Public Service Career


Following an almost 35-year career in theater, LaGuardia Community College/CUNY student Nicholas “Nick” Hetherington is pursuing a Liberal Arts: Political Science degree in preparation for a career in public service. While some may see this as a major career switch, Nick sees his theater experience as training for a career in public service. “I always saw acting and writing as a conduit to doing something more important,” said Nick, whose theater career began at age seven. By age 14, he was working professionally at a theater in Northampton, England. After high school, Nick studied at drama schools in London and New York City, where he moved to at age 21, and continued his theatrical pursuits. In his mid-40s, he felt ready for a change. “I was always politically active. When I decided to stop doing theater and jump into public service with both feet, I realized that I’d be starting over in a new career. I didn’t have a college degree, so I enrolled at LaGuardia.” During his time at LaGuardia, Nick has gained valuable experience in public service. He works as a peer leader with the Center of Teaching and Learning for the Social Science Department, and served on a College Senate committee. In addition, he is currently doing an internship with a New York congressional representative, and is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Nick plans to graduate in June 2023 and then pursue a bachelor’s degree.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIC Students and Residents Encouraged to Participate in NYC Department of Transportation Survey 


The NYC Department of Transportation is looking to improve pedestrian space along Thomson Ave. Please participate in this quick, anonymous survey asking about your relationship to the site, experiences, and more. Upon completion, individuals who complete the survey will be redirected to the DOT project site, where individuals can: provide location-specific feedback on any pain points in the area; and read more about the DOT’s work toward improving the public realm in Long Island City. This survey is for research purposes only. Any personal information provided will not be shared with any outside parties.  


Black, Race and Ethnic Studies (BRES) Collaboration Hub Launching in Spring 2023 



In Spring 2023, CUNY Graduate Center will establish the BRES Collaboration Hub as a mechanism for convening CUNY faculty and doctoral students interested in inter- and multidisciplinary education and research in Black, Race and Ethnic Studies. The BRES Collaboration Hub will serve as an intellectual home for the potential development and implementation of a multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Black, Race and Ethnic Studies, which will position CUNY as an academic leader in this field in the nation. College provosts will nominate participants for the Research Faculty Fellows, and interdisciplinary faculty teams may apply to participate in the BRES Curriculum Development Faculty Fellows program. All proposals and nominations are due by February 1, 2023. 

Proposals Sought for CUNY's Career Compass for Women Leaders Conference 

 

The fourth annual CUNY Career Compass for Women Leaders conference is seeking proposals for sessions on this year’s theme, “The Future of Work for Women: Where Do We Go From Here?”. Proposals are due by Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and should be submitted online. Proposals should align with one of three tracks: Career Champions, Change & Transformation, Culture of Wellness. Contact LeadersNavigate@cuny.edu with any questions.  


Be Sure to Report Positive COVID Tests


All individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have any symptoms of Coronavirus should stay home, self-isolate, and immediately notify the College Coronavirus Designees using the applicable email: EmployeeReportCOVID@lagcc.cuny.edu or StudentReportCOVID@lagcc.cuny.edu. Please include your full name and contact number; employees should also notify their supervisor(s). 

  

CUNY is following guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding recommended quarantine and isolation times for people in close contact with someone who is positive or those who test positive.

Employment-Focused Listening Session to be held Wednesday, February 8 

 

CUNY’s Office of Transformation will host their fourth “From Classrooms to Careers” listening session on February 8 on Zoom, 4- 5 p.m.; RSVP here. This session will feature employers that are CUNY alumni who will discuss what they look for in new employees. The National Association of Colleges and Employers has interviewed thousands of employers and ranks the top skills for any employee as critical thinking/problem solving; teamwork/collaboration; professionalism/work ethic; oral and written communication skills; technological and basic quantitative competency; and intercultural and global fluency. These five managers and employers from different private and public sectors and fields will talk about what they personally look for in a new hire. An open forum will then follow for comments, questions, and responses. 

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Faculty Spotlight: Philip Gimber, PhD, RN, NP


Philip Gimber, PhD, RN, NP is chair of LaGuardia’s Health Sciences Department. More than 3,500 students are enrolled in Health Sciences programs each year, including: Nursing (Registered Nursing and Licensed Practical Nursing), Public and Community Health, Physical Therapist Assistant, Nutrition and Culinary Management, Radiologic Technology, Human Services, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Therapeutic Recreation, and Veterinary Technology. Phil has over 15 years of teaching experience and has worked as a Registered Nurse in medical surgical nursing, oncology, intensive care, home care, and long-term care.

Money Boss Workshops Continue in 2023


Students will have the opportunity to learn how to take charge of their finances in 2023 through several upcoming Money Boss Workshops. Topics include making financial resolutions for the new year, federal tax returns, saving for retirement, and what to seek in employment benefits. Money Boss guides are also available on the Library website.  

STUDENT AFFAIRS

LaGuardia Red Hawks Basketball Teams Take the Court


Women’s Basketball

  • Tuesday, January 10, 5 p.m. - vs Bronx Community College
  • Friday, January 13, 3 p.m. - vs Erie Community College
  • Tuesday, January 24, 5 p.m. - vs BMCC
  • Thursday, January 26, 5:30 p.m. - vs Queensborough Community College
  • Saturday, January 28, 1 p.m. - @ Westchester Community College


Men’s Basketball

  • Tuesday, January 10, 7 p.m. - vs Bronx Community College
  • Friday, January 13, 5 p.m. - vs Erie Community College
  • Tuesday, January 24, 7 p.m. - vs BMCC
  • Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m. - vs Queensborough Community College
  • Saturday, January 28, 3 p.m.- @ Westchester Community College



CONTINUING EDUCATION

S.O.A.R. Experiential Learning Internships Available for Spring 2023 


The S.O.A.R. Experiential Learning Program allows students of all majors to explore a variety of internship opportunities all over New York City. Students can gain employable skills and further knowledge in their chosen field of study. Students registered with a minimum 2.5 GPA that have completed at least 15 credits, can learn more and apply online. Internships begin March 6 and run for 10 weeks. Please contact career@lagcc.cuny.edu for more information.

GOOD NEWS FROM GRANTS DEVELOPMENT

Centering the Community in the Classroom through NEH Grant


The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a $150,000 grant for “Oral History in Interdisciplinary Community College Pedagogy: Centering the Community in the Classroom.” Led by Thomas Cleary (Library; PI), Molly Rosner (LaGuardia and Wagner Archives), and Tomonori Nagano (Education & Language Acquisition), aims to empower faculty to bring oral history interviews into their own pedagogical practices through a series of year-long workshops. The faculty will engage in interviewing, deep listening, and analysis of oral history materials in their disciplines. Through this engagement, the faculty will explore how oral history practices can help re-center their teaching practices to the vantage points of individuals and communities of minority groups whose perspectives are often marginalized in published materials and media. The first of seven faculty seminar meeting will take place in September 2023.

ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS

Jesus Benitez (LaGuardia’17) Becomes First CUNY Fatherhood Academy Alumnus Hired as a Full-Time Fatherhood Staffer 

 

Jesus Benitez first came to LaGuardia Community College in 2012, enrolling in the CUNY Fatherhood Academy. Like many young fathers, he had dropped out of high school to support his son, Mason, and signed up for the Fatherhood Academy to earn his high school equivalency diploma and work toward a family-sustaining career. After earning his GED through Fatherhood, Jesus enrolled at LaGuardia and completed his associate degree in philosophy, and then a bachelor’s in philosophy from City College. All the while, he stayed connected with Fatherhood Academy, serving as a mentor, case manager, and other roles. Recently, he accepted a full-time position as Fatherhood Academy’s new Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, making him the first program alumnus to be hired as a full-time staff member. In addition, Jesus is a member of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Family Advisory Committee. 

PUBLIC SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

Download the LaGuardia Mobile App


Please download the LAGCC app on your mobile device. Login with your Outlook credential to access your validated digital ID. In addition, you will be able to access useful information such as the College’s Emergency Guide. 

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

COMMUNITY COLLEGE DAILY 

Washington Watch: FY23 community college earmarks

 

WBAI RADIO 

Folk Radio Rewind

 

QUEENS CHRONICLE 

In with the old and new on Jamaica Ave.


EVENTS

Thursday, January 12 

Support Circles: Transitions; 3:25 p.m. on Zoom

 

Monday, January 16 

College Closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

 

Tuesday, January 17 

Irregular Day; Classes follow Monday schedule 

 

Wednesday, January 18 

Support Circles: Existential Crisis; 1 p.m. in C-412 

CONNECT WITH LAGUARDIA

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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 Share a Story or send an email to CampusUpdate@lagcc.cuny.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday.