SHARE:  

"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.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring 2023 Closing Sessions


Please be sure to attend or tune in to Spring 2023 Closing Sessions, this Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to hear from members of the administration and learn about the college’s recent achievements and initiatives. American Sign Language interpretation will be available. Everyone is invited to attend in-person at the Little Theater. The program will also be livestreamed.

NEWS

1LaGuardia Initiative Amplifies Importance of a Healthy Campus Climate; Winning Artwork on Display



During the Spring 2023 semester, LaGuardia hosted an artwork and video competition inviting students, faculty, and staff to answer the question: “Who Are You?” as part of a Campus Climate Project, funded by CUNY. This competition gave participants the opportunity to express themselves through art and video in the spirit of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion on the LaGuardia campus. All entries and descriptions can be viewed on the 1LaGuardia website. Each submission received a prize and the Top Winning submission, created by LaGuardia student Tahlaiya Thompson, was given a special exhibition space, located on the first floor of the college’s M-Building. The 1LaGuardia Initiative, which is part of the LaGuardia’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) efforts, has been instrumental in advancing, building, and maintaining an environment that is equitable and inclusive. LaGuardia’s campus affinity groups, student clubs, and Casa de las Américas, which was launched in 2022, all provide curricular and co-curricular programming and initiatives that emphasize the diversity of our campus community, and how all who work, learn or visit are valued, welcomed and respected.

LaGuardia Celebrates 2023 Graduates—Red Hawks Rising

 

With Commencement just two weeks away, some of our outstanding 2023 graduates are being profiled on our website, in a feature on Red Hawks Rising. With their LaGuardia educations and ambitions to make their families proud and positively impact their communities, the Class of 2023 is ready to take their next steps. The LaGuardia community will be cheering for them throughout their journeys. Red Hawks Rising includes Arhum Aamir, a Mechanical Engineering major who is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and is transferring to City College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; Philippines-native Bessiejud (Bessie) Aquino, a Business Administration major graduating with a 4.0 GPA, who is transferring to Baruch College where she’ll pursue a bachelor’s in accounting; and Christian Houston, a Theater major who will continue pursuing his dream of an acting career as a theater major at Howard University.

LaGuardia and CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Participate in Queens Pride Parade



LaGuardia community members including President Kenneth Adams and Associate Professor and Director of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Allie Brashears joined other CUNY college leaders including Queens College President Frank Wu and Queensborough Community College President Christine Mangino during the Queens Pride Parade on June 4. Other CUNY-wide students, faculty and staff participated in the parade which took place in Forest Hills. 

Two Soon-To-Be LaGuardia Grads to Represent the Class of 2023


While many CUNY colleges name a valedictorian and salutatorian, who often speak at commencement, at LaGuardia a committee of faculty and staff hold auditions to select a class representative from self-nominated applicants. This year, two graduates will represent the Class of 2023. The committee was so taken with the auditions of two graduating students that they simply couldn’t choose. Thankfully, President Adams agreed. Both are immigrants and when they graduate from LaGuardia on June 21, they will be the first members of their families to earn college degrees. Min Young Kim is from Seoul, South Korea, where she dropped out of high school at age 16. She’s graduating with her associate degree in Liberal Arts: Applied Math, with a 4.0 GPA. Min Young is a 2023 winner of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which she’ll put towards her bachelor’s in computer science at Columbia University.


Gian Castro, from Peru, is graduating with his associate degree in Criminal Justice, with a 3.8 GPA. He plans to enter the New York Police Academy and then join the NYPD, which provides tuition support to help officers further their education. Gian has been accepted to John Jay’s BA/MA in Criminal Justice program, which allows academically advanced students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees. Read more about Min Young, Gian, and additional speakers, on the Commencement webpage.

LaGuardia Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Pride

The eighth and final Greenway event was moved indoors due to the air quality alert in the area, but that did not stop the LaGuardia community from celebrating Pride!


Students faculty and staff enjoyed live music and entertainment, a tie-dye station, giveaways, and a photo booth.


In total, LaGuardia Community College welcomed more than 4,300 people to the Greenway Plaza during its 8-week run. Thanks for taking part in this spring's events!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fresh Vegetables, Bread, and Eggs Available for Students Through LaGuardia CARES 

 

LaGuardia CARES is distributing fresh vegetables, bread, and eggs every Monday through June 26, while supplies last. Faculty are encouraged to bring their classes and spread the word. Distribution is made through the LaGuardia CARES office in C-107. LaGuardia CARES can be reached at (718) 482-5135 or laguardiacare@lagcc.cuny.edu.  

ice cream sandwich clip art

Free Ice Cream for Students

 

LaGuardia students are in for a treat, courtesy of MBJ! Students can stop by the M-Building Cafeteria on Monday, June 12 or the C-Building First Floor Café on Tuesday, June 13, from 12–3 p.m. for a free ice cream (while supplies last)!

Casa de las Américas Seeks Executive Committee Members

 

Five new members are being sought to join the Executive Committee of Casa de las Américas. Applicants must be current faculty or staff members at LaGuardia, attend four meetings throughout the academic year, serve for one to two years, volunteer at three La Casa events each semester, and contribute to La Casa’s fundraising efforts. To be considered, please submit a one-paragraph describing your interest in serving on the Executive Committee by June 16 to casa@lagcc.cuny.edu. Members will be selected by La Casa’s co-directors. 

COLLEGE SENATE

First meeting of the new Council of Governance Leaders 



LaGuardia’s newly formed Council of Governance Leaders had its first meeting on Friday, June 2. In attendance at the one-hour meeting with President Adams were Cristy Bruns, Chair of College Senate, Lucia Chavira, President of Student Government Association (SGA), Rochell Isaac, President of Faculty Council, Michael Napolitano, Chair of the Chairs Council, and Anthony Pappas, Alternate Staff Representative (filling in for Loretta Capuano-Vella).



All agreed that sharing the concerns and priorities of each leader’s constituency was of such importance that it will meet twice a semester rather than once as originally planned. The next meeting of the Council will be in late September.

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY

2023 LGBTQ+ Business Convening

 

On May 31 the College co-sponsored the 2023 LGBTQ+ Business Convening, which was organized by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID) and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards' office. During the event, information was shared to help LGBTQ+ and allied businesses grow and connect with services and resources. Assuanta Howard, Associate Dean of Business Services and Workforce Development, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the College. LaGuardia's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was also present to share their wealth of services with participants. 

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

“THIS DATE IN HISTORY” App


Exciting News! "This Date in History" 2.0 is here: Your Passport to the Past, now even better! Discover a world of captivating events with "This Date in History" 2.0, the incredible app by LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. Explore fascinating moments every day, from birthdays to holidays and ordinary days. With real-time time travel, a milestones browser, and an enhanced user experience, the app brings history alive like never before. Embark on an extraordinary journey through time with "This Date in History" 2.0, brought to you by LaGuardia and Wagner Archives! Try it! Download it today for free in the App Store or Google Play.

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Queens Pride Celebration on June 14


Join LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) and LaGuardia and Wagner Archives for a Celebration of Pride! In the E/M Courtyard from 5 to 7 p.m. party and dance to DJ Sam0; then head to the Little Theater for a staged reading created by community engaged theater-makers from Ping Chong and Company, based on and adapted from the interviews in Archives LGBTQ collection; a dance performance by Alberto Denis honoring those lost to gun violence from Pulse in Orlando; the celebration concludes in the Lobby with Singing Drag Diva Jackie Dupree. Learn more. This program is made possible by generous funding from the New York City Council Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Caucus, and the Office of the Mayor, and is supported by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Spring 2023 Student Showcase—Live in Concert!

 

The students and faculty of the Music Performance and Music Recording Technology programs invite the community to attend the Spring 2023 Student Showcase, live in the Little Theater on Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. Performances will feature the talents of LaGuardia students in both programs, as well as the Music Club and Jazz Ensemble. Contact Prof. Tom Dempsey for more information.

Thomson Avenue Film Festival Returns Thursday

 

The 21st Annual Thomson Avenue Film Festival will be held on Thursday, June 8 in M-122, showcasing short films made by LaGuardia students and alums. The evening begins with red carpet arrivals at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screenings and awards. Contact Prof. David Stott for more information.

The Peer Academy is Hiring 



The Peer Advisor Academy is recruiting current, successful LaGuardia students to provide academic planning guidance to fellow students. Peer Advisors are LaGuardia students who help students understand the College’s advisement process. Using their own student experiences, along with their established connections to departmental staff, Peer Advisors provide advising guidance by helping students with academic planning and digital tools, as well as introducing them to key campus and major-specific resources. Students can learn more and apply online.

Queens STEM Academy Annual Collegewide Conference


Join us at the Queens STEM Academy Conference on June 15, 9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m., Room E-242 (breakfast at 9 a.m.). The event includes updates on the Academy's launch, progress, alignment with the College's strategic plan, and an overview from key collaborators.  We'll discuss milestones achieved, seek feedback on various Academy activities, and highlight the benefits and opportunities of Q-STEM. This is a chance to network, share best practices, and explore potential collaborations across the College. Please RSVP to attend

LIBRARY NEWS

Latest Updates from LaGuardia’s Library 


  • Construction in the Courtyard Reading Room is almost complete and will be accessible to students shortly. Until then, the Thomson Reading Room is still open (and only accessible by elevator). The Mezzanine is still accessible to students by the side staircases and the elevator. 
  • Need a one-credit class for Spring II? Sign up for LRC 103, our Internet Research Strategies class. You can find more information here.
  • The IT lab on the first floor behind the Media Help Desk is available for online classes. Most computers have cameras and headphones are available (and they’re free!).
  • Need to borrow an ipad, calculator, or laptop? Come to the Media Help Desk on the first floor.
  • Need a study break? Puzzles will return to the Library in time for finals week on Friday, June 9!
  • Come check out our new LGBTQIA+ collection! This was made possible due to the generous support of the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ServiceNow is Live!


ServiceNow, our new cloud-based ticketing system, is available for use. Visit the ServiceNow webpage to learn more. To open a ticket in ServiceNow, read the How to Create an Incident or Request on ServiceNow guide. For more details, watch the CUNY IT Help Portal Overview video created by CUNY/CIS. The LaGuardia community can also access ServiceNow on the Faculty & Staff Portal. In the first column, under Request Support, click on the service area where you need support. Note: If you click on the “IT HelpDesk”, please select the area that best describes the support you need.

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

COMMUNITY COLLEGE DAILY: Jason Bryan has been appointed interim chief information officer for LaGuardia Community College

AM NEW YORK: LaGuardia Community College partners with Fedcap Group to bring educational opportunities to Union Square Civic Hall

OFFSHORE ENGINEER DIGITAL: LaGuardia will have programs in welding, construction, repair and maintenance of offshore wind facilities

EVENTS

Thursday, June 8

  • Last Day of Spring Session I Classes
  • Thomson Ave. Film Festival; 6:30 p.m.; M-122
  • Spring 2023 Music Showcase; 7 p.m.; Little Theater


Friday, June 9

  • Reading Day (No Classes)
  • CUNY Pridefest; 12–4 p.m.; Queens College


Saturday, June 10


Wednesday, June 14

CONNECT WITH LAGUARDIA

Facebook            Instagram            LinkedIn            TikTok            Twitter            YouTube

"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.