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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

Office of Credit for Prior Learning Celebrates Credits for Success Program

On May 13, members of the LaGuardia community gathered to celebrate the Credits for Success program, which launched in February 2023 with the generous support from Robin Hood. Credits for Success offers students who have Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) experience with a high-quality pathway to acquire a college degree. CPL is an academic process that offers students the opportunity to earn credits for college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. During the celebration, President Adams shared remarks and members of the college administration offered congratulatory messages to CPL students and thanked CPL advocates and faculty for their support. Since its inception, the CPL Office has served more than 1,000 inquiries from students wanting to learn more about the benefits of CPL. 

LaGuardia Community College Receives $235K Grant From the Gerstner Philanthropies to Support CARES Program

LaGuardia was recently awarded a $235,000 grant from the Gerstner Philanthropies Helping Hands program to support LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success), the college’s support services program, which offers clothing, rental assistance, technology, utilities, clothing, and other emergency assistance to students in need. "We are excited to partner with LaGuardia Community College and the CARES program as they provide crucial support for students in crisis to continue their education without interruption," said Alice Goh, Program Director at Gerstner Philanthropies.

Hispanic Federation Hosts Career Expo at LaGuardia 

LaGuardia welcomed members of the community to attend the Career Expo hosted by the Hispanic Federation on May 15. The expo was originally to be located on the LaGuardia Community Greenway, however it was relocated to the Atrium in the college’s C-Building. The expo brought more than 50 employers and organizations offering career exploration and job opportunities for attendees. The next event scheduled to take place on the Greenway is the AAPI Heritage Month Cultural Celebration featuring live entertainment, food and activities.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Celebration to be Held May 22

The AAPI Heritage Month Committee presents a vibrant celebration of Asian and Asian American cultures at LaGuardia Community College from 2:15 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. on May 22. The performances will feature the harmonic singing of Timothy Hill, the powerful taiko drumming by Hiro Kurashima, the vibrant Indian dance by Ajna Dance Company, and the dynamic dance moves of AKF Dance Studio. Please visit the tables to receive a copy of the latest issue of "Asian American Voices," a student journal at LaGuardia, and to learn about free services offered by local AAPI non-profit organizations and NYC programs. Enjoy a delicious lunch that includes samosas, dumplings, karaage, and bento boxes. Participate in raffles for your chance to win Amazon gift cards. For the full program of the AAPI cultural celebration and information on other events during AAPI Heritage Month click here

Eleven LaGuardia Students Complete the 20-hour Court Interpreter Internship Program

Eleven students have successfully completed the NYS Court System's 20-hour Interpreter Internship Program in Spring 2024. These students shadowed professional court interpreters and immersed themselves in legal interpreting under the guidance of their mentor interpreters. The interns learned basic skills of court interpretation and the ethics of interpreters through placements in the civil, family, and criminal courts of New York City over five weeks. Some interns will be taking the Per Diem (part-time) Court Interpreter examination in June and will register as per-diem court interpreters upon passing the per-diem exam. Visit the NYS Court Interpreters website for more information about court interpreter careers and future internship opportunities. 

President Adams Shares Idea for the Future of Queens in New Report 

LaGuardia is excited to share this new report, “50 Ideas for a Stronger and More Equitable Queens.” It features an idea from President Kenneth Adams for the borough’s future, along with ideas from 49 other leaders from across Queens – New York’s borough of opportunity. Check out President Adams’ idea and read the full report, by the Center for an Urban Future and the Elmezzi Foundation here

LaGuardia Invites College Community to Honor Faculty and Staff for Years of Service, May 30

LaGuardia Community College will host a ceremony and reception on May 30 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the years of service by its faculty and staff. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to cheer and show appreciation! The ceremony is scheduled in the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Main Stage theater and will honor more than 120 faculty and staff who are celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service with the college. Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College and Provost and Dr. Billie Gastic-Rosado, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, will present each year’s cohorts with the certificate and pins. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mary C. DiGangi Joins LaGuardia as Executive Director of Human Resources 

We are pleased to announce that Mary C. DiGangi is joining LaGuardia Community College as its new Executive Director of Human Resources. Mary is a human resources professional with over 25 years of experience leading human resources teams in providing services to employees in healthcare organizations. Mary will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic human resource goals and objectives to improve customer service and organizational effectiveness, aligning those goals with the overall College strategic plan and mission. 


Reporting to Shahir Erfan, the Sr. Vice President for Administration and Finance, Mary will lead and manage the College's human resources department in accordance with CUNY policies, procedures, and practices and in compliance with all applicable laws. Areas of responsibility include benefits, payroll, time and leave, human resources information systems, employee relations, engagement and professional development. Prior to joining LaGuardia, Mary served as the Vice President, Human Resources for the Metropolitan Jewish Health System (MJHS), one of New York’s largest not-for-profit health systems, and as Human Resources Regional Assistant Director for the Kingsboro Medical Group PC, consisting of four full service medical facilities throughout Brooklyn.


Mary is familiar with CUNY, holding an M.S. in Business Management and Leadership from the CUNY School for Professional Studies, and a B. S. in Business Management from Brooklyn College. Mary will be joining LaGuardia in early June. In the meantime, if you have an urgent HR matter, please contact SVP Erfan at serfan@lagcc.cuny.edu or at Ext. 5500, or to speak to an HR Representative, call Ext. 5075.


We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Marta Clark for serving as our Interim Executive Director of Human Resources and wish her well in all of her future endeavors. 

Strategic Planning Committee Seeks Participants for Pillars of Student Success

The Strategic Planning Committee has almost 50 volunteers. Members are organizing activities open to all students, faculty, and staff who would like to get involved in the strategic planning process. Subcommittee Chairs have been chosen by each subcommittee to streamline communication, while members formulate and execute plans for surveys and discussion groups around each Pillar of Student Success. Be on the lookout for invitations to participate, such as THIS SURVEY from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion subcommittee. You can learn more about each Pillar's upcoming events, Chairpersons, and how you can get involved on our site: Strategic Plan At LaGuardia Community College. Thank you!

Environmental Science Career and Transfer Day Scheduled May 29 in the Poolside Café 

The Center for Career & Professional Development and the Environmental Science Program is hosting Environmental Science Career and Transfer Day on May 29 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Poolside Café. This is the Environmental Science program’s first career and transfer event — students will have the opportunity to learn from and network with representatives from various environmental organizations and four-year colleges, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the Greenbelt Native Plant Center, Brooklyn College, Lehman College, and Rutgers University. Please encourage students you think may be interested to register here

Childcare Essentials to be Distributed at Pop-Up Boutique May 20 through 23

Earlier this month, the LaGuardia Student-Parent Initiative and LaGuardia CARES collected essential items for young children, such as baby wash and shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, and kids' personal care kits. The collected items will be distributed at a “pop-up” boutique next week, from May 20 to 23 in Room C-316. For more information, contact Koun Eum at keum@lagcc.cuny.edu.

LaGuardia to Host 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Day on May 22

Undergraduate Research Day is scheduled to take place on May 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Mainstage Theater. This year marks the seventh iteration of Undergraduate Research Day, an annual event dedicated to promoting and facilitating research experiences for students. Students will display posters with their research in various disciplines; the posters will also be available for the LaGuardia community to view online beginning May 16. Students, faculty and staff are all encouraged to attend and view our students' research.

Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship Showcase Scheduled May 29


Several of LaGuardia’s faculty and staff will present their recent work at the Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship Showcase on May 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. in E-111. Faculty and staff from all departments of the college are invited to come see their peer’s presentations and learn a bit more about the research other individuals on campus are working on.

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Archival Image Shows Mayor Abe Beam as Umpire in Police Athletic League Softball Game, 1976

Baseball season is upon us! Amateurs and professionals alike have been flocking to the diamond for over two hundred years, including former New York City mayors! Here’s proof: a photo of Mayor Abe Beame serving as an umpire for a Police Athletic League softball game in 1976. By all accounts, Mayor Beame was no Angel Hernandez – he would'a called it straight down the middle! Sports are an integral part of our city and feature in many of the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives collections. Reach out if you’d like to learn more! 

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Cultural Forces Musicians to Perform at LPAC, May 29

LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) is honored to announce the upcoming arrival of Cultural Forces, a profound cultural initiative by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as part of their US tour. This event will take place on May 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Little Theater at LPAC. Cultural Forces brings together a group of talented musicians who have experienced the harsh realities of war firsthand. Through their music and personal stories, they aim to showcase the resilience of the Ukrainian people and foster understanding and unity among diverse communities. Admission is free; RSVP here to reserve seats for the performance.

LaGuardia Theater Program Presents Pippin Set in A Post-Apocalyptic World 

LaGuardia’s Theater Program kicked off performances of the Tony-award winning musical Pippin on Monday. “We’ve set Pippin in the year 2044, 20 years after a fictional catastrophic world war,” said Theater Professor Stefanie Sertich, director of Pippin. “Led by the Leading Player, a troupe of wandering players find The Black Box Theatre at LaGuardia to be the ideal spot to stage Pippin for the surviving audience.” Two youth actors made their theatrical debut in Pippin. The role of Theo is shared by Catalina Kaloferov, 11, daughter of Snezhana Kenarova, development manager, and Abel Tőke Nichols, 10, son of Dr. Lilla Tőke, associate professor of English.

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance

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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

LaGuardia Hosts Athletics Awards Ceremony 

The LaGuardia Red Hawks gathered on May 9 for an awards ceremony to honor coaches and athletics for their achievement throughout the 2023-24 season. President Kenneth Adams and Dr. Alexis McLean, Vice President for Student Affairs, presented welcome remarks. Lashawn “Suga Ray” Marston, was the special guest speaker who shared encouraging words to student athletes who attended the ceremony. The event included a family-style luncheon and an awards presentation. The awardees included:  


  • Coach of the Year: Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Shareika Parry 
  • Scholar Athlete Awards: Women’s Basketball, Olithia Roach; Men’s Soccer, Ali Isleem; and Men’s Basketball, Rayan Erold Tsapi Meguie 
  • Student Athlete Leadership Award: Men’s Soccer, David Vera Ruiz 
  • Student Athlete Sportsmanship Award: Women’s Basketball, Jerica Villaman 
  • Student Athlete Rookie of the Year Award: Women’s Basketball, Moutiatou Dijbring 
  • Student Athlete Player of the Year Award: Men’s Basketball, CUNY/ Region XV 1st Team All American, Arthur Dukes 

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library

  • Stop by the Library to check out our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Collection
  • Want to see what your Librarians are reading? Check out our Library Picks
  • Group Study Rooms are open! Students can reserve a room here
  • We have different departments come into the Library to provide information to our students. Some have raffles and prizes! Make sure to check our Events & Workshops site for a complete listing. 
  • LRC 103, our Internet Research Strategies course, is a one-credit class. You can find more information here

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Professional Development Workshops: Spring 2024 


  • Navigating the New Environment of Remote Work 
  • Review of Federal employment laws that apply to remote workers. Keeping remote workers informed and involved. Technology needed for remote working. Employee responsibilities while remote working. How can we best support and promote work/life balance while working remotely.
  • Wednesday, June 12 at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Register here

NYCAPS Payroll Stub Access Now Available 


NYCAPS (New York City Automated Personnel System) has resolved its technical issue and has restored access to Employee Self Service (ESS) so you can now view your paystub. CUNY Central will continue to monitor the system to ensure that it continues to operate normally. If you have any issues accessing ESS, please contact the Payroll Department by email at payroll@lagcc.cuny.edu or by calling 718-482-5518

NYCCHR Free Professional Development Opportunities for You


The University Human Resources, Professional Development & Learning Office has free, upcoming professional development opportunities available to all employees. Employees will receive a meeting invitation with the link to the workshops the day before the session begins. The NYC Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) is offering two online workshops:


  • Human Rights Law and Age Discrimination in Employment, Wednesday, May 29, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. The workshop provides information about age discrimination and protections under the City Human Rights Law for all workers. Examples of age discrimination in employment are discussed, as well as best practices for employers. 


For more information and to register, please go to the workshop registration form

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Security Alert: Guard Against Increasing Phishing Email Attacks  


There has been an increase in phishing attacks directed at CUNY from a variety of Gmail accounts. Most are of the familiar job scam variety which students are prone to acting on. CUNY/CIS teams are working with Microsoft to block these attacks, which are not “spammy” or “phishy” in nature so they aren’t automatically blocked by email security measures. CUNY/CIS urges all to guard against responding to potential phishing emails, as well as to communicate with colleagues and students to generate greater awareness about the scam increase. 


Recommended User Actions Include: 


  • DO NOT reply to unexpected or unusual emails. 
  • DO NOT reply to emails with personal information or passwords. 
  • DO NOT click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.  
  • DO read the CUNY Ransomware and Phishing Advisories.  
  • DO complete security awareness training at security.cuny.edu


If you suspect you’ve received a suspicious or phishing email, please forward it to spam@lagcc.cuny.edu. Do not forward it to the LAG Information Technology Division or other group distribution lists or employees, including IT personnel. If you already responded to a phishing email, immediately contact our IT HelpDesk by submitting a ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal or by email at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu, or call 718-482-6134. If you have questions, please contact LaGuardia's Information Security team

Fastest and Best Way to Get Technology Help 


Whenever you have any technology-related problems—whether it’s with apps like CUNYfirst, Outlook, or the Faculty & Staff Portal, etc. or with any network services or computer equipment — the fastest and best way to get help is to contact the IT HelpDesk by opening a ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal, or by calling 718-482-6134. 

Protect Your Data! Take the CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness Training Course Today!


Given the rapidly increasing threats to our cybersecurity, CUNY is taking various actions to safeguard the security of our data. To that end, CUNY recently created a 40-minute Cybersecurity Awareness training course, designed specifically for faculty and staff. This course covers many cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, spam, and hacked accounts, and best practices for safeguarding your data. You can view the course on Blackboard. All LaGuardia faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to take this course as soon as possible to protect their own and the University's data. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Maritza Acero.

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

NY1 NEWS: Silvercup Studios, a film and television studio, donates lighting and grip equipment to LaGuardia for the college's Film and Television program. 


QUEENS LATINO: LaGuardia Gets $150K to Offer Media Internship Program


QUEENS GAZETTE: LaGuardia Community College Receives $150K Grant from MetLife Foundation to Launch Reel Futures Media Internship Program with Reel Works.


WASHINGTON POST: Thomas Fink, a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, wrote a book about the poetry of Dr. David Shapiro, an unwitting icon of a ’68 campus protest


EL DIARIO: On Wednesday, May 15, the Hispanic Federation, in collaboration with LaGuardia Community College, will hold a Career Expo, sponsored by the Department of Youth and Community Development


STAMFORD ADVOCATE: Dr. Billie Gastic Rosado, LaGuardia provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, writes about the need to create safe spaces for victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Dr. Gastic Rosado serves on the Board of Directors for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center


STREETSBLOG NYC: ⁠LaGuardia Professor Joby Jacob talks about efforts by the NYC Department of Transportation to redesign Thomson Avenue to improve safety for both pedestrians and cyclists


EVENTS

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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.