"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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Mental Health Support During Middle East Conflict
As the fighting in the Middle East continues, and the horrific loss of innocent civilian life across the region climbs, members of our community may be experiencing stress or anxiety, or otherwise have feelings of unease. For individuals coping with the devastation of these events, support is available should you need to speak with someone:
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LaGuardia Hosts 2nd Annual Community 5K Run
Almost 200 runners and walkers (of all levels) participated in the 2nd Annual LaGuardia Community 5K Run on Saturday, October 14. The course took participants through sections of Long Island City starting next to the college’s C-Building. The rain held out for most of the activities, which included raffles, music, and hosted tables by 16 surrounding community organizations and businesses. Nearly $4,000 raised from the Community Run supports LaGuardia CARES program. This year’s principal sponsor was Boyce Technologies, Inc., located in Long Island City, Queens. “We thank Charles Boyce and Boyce Technologies, Inc. for their generosity and continued support of LaGuardia Community College and its students,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. The top three men finishers were: FIRST-Tomasz Wawrzyniak, 37, (18:17); SECOND-Danilo Martinez, 28 (19:28); and THIRD-Joe Zempoalteca, 30, (19:45). The top three women finishers were: FIRST-Robin Kietlinski, 43 (24:26); SECOND-Arabella Mora, 25, (24:28); and THIRD-Kia Copeland, 29, (25:22). The complete list of finishers can be found HERE.
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Annual Transfer Fair and Transfer Support
Every third week of October, the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students organizes National Transfer Student Week — a week dedicated to the unique needs and demands of transfer students. Given that nearly 70% of LaGuardia grads transfer to a bachelor's degree program, the LaGuardia Transfer Council is celebrating this week with a series of events, workshops, and college rep visits to support students on their transfer journey all throughout the week.
That includes the Fall Transfer Fair, taking place today until 7:00 p.m. in the E-Building Atrium, where students can meet with representatives from more than 30 different public and private universities.
Students seeking to discuss their transfer plans are encouraged to start by speaking with their advisor for a transfer advisor referral. LaGuardia's Transfer Council is supporting the college’s capacity to prepare students for transitioning into a baccalaureate program by facilitating cross-divisional collaboration and coordination efforts around transfer initiatives and events.
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LaGuardia Receives $900K USDOJ Grant to Provide Wraparound Services and Educational Opportunities for Residents of Queensboro Correctional Facility
LaGuardia Associate Professor of Criminal Justice John R. Chaney, J.D. has been awarded a three-year, $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) to provide educational, training, and wraparound services for residents of Queensboro Correctional Facility, situated directly across the street from the college campus. Queensboro Correctional is a New York State reentry facility for male prisoners scheduled for released on parole within 120 days and those on work release. Through the Accelerated College Transition (ACT) project, LaGuardia will address the unique needs of New York State male prisoners both pre-release and post-release, helping them complete their educational goals, qualify for enhanced career opportunities, and achieve successful long-term community reintegration.
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LaGuardia CARES Director to Participate in College Food Security Summit
Rhonda Mouton, EdD, Director of LaGuardia CARES, will be serving on a panel discussion during the 2023 College Food Security Summit on October 18, presented by the Food Bank for New York City and Medgar Evers College Transition Academy. Dr. Mouton will be sharing her expertise on operating a successful food pantry, funding the pantry, and the challenges and barriers students face with food insecurity. The Summit will also feature a discussion with Dr. Patricia Ramsey, President of Medgar Evers College; Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, President of York College; Linda Rosenthal, New York State Assemblymember; and Eric Dinowitz, New York City Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Higher Education.
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Professor Clarence Chan Receives APTA Award
In late-September, the American Physical Therapists Association (APTA) Academy of Education announced the recipients of its honors and awards for excellence and leadership. LaGuardia’s Physical Therapist Assistant Director and Professor Dr. Clarence C. K. Chan, PT, DPT, received the F.A. Davis Award for Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Educator. Dr. Chan will be recognized at the APTA Honors & Awards ceremony on Sunday, July 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. The F.A. Davis Award for Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Educator recognizes physical therapist assistant student educators who have demonstrated and exhibited a noteworthy level of commitment to physical therapy education, physical therapist assistant students, and in advancing, promoting, and upholding standards of academic excellence.
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Dr. Chan began his career at LaGuardia in 2001 as an adjunct instructor and became a fulltime professor in 2005. “Being a Physical Therapist Assistant Educator at LaGuardia requires compassion and competence to meet the unique needs of the student population,” Dr. Chan said. “It is both challenging and rewarding to have only 18 nths to help a group of eager learners coming from various starting points becoming healthcare professionals ready to serve our community. There are many obstacles to overcome along the way with the students, but I also witness their tremendous growth in such a short amount of time. It's an absolute joy when we celebrate together at the PTA Pinning Ceremony every year.” | | |
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LaGuardia Student Noah Alayon Accepted to NASA Scholars Program
LaGuardia Computer Science major Noah Alayon was recently accepted into the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program. Noah earned a spot at a six-day virtual experience from October 19 through October 26. As a highly competitive program, NCAS gives scholars the opportunity to interact and network with NASA engineers and scientists. “I heard about the NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) program through a post [that] Professor Lawrence Muller made on the LaGuardia Computer Science LinkedIn Group,” Noah said. “I heard NCAS as being a crucial stepping stone, and I hope to learn as much as I can about NASA and the space industry. I also hope that, ultimately, with my unique experience, that I will be able to land an internship at NASA, and/or figure out what I want to do in Computer Science.”
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Artist Bernard Garcia’s Paintings of Central Park on Display in President’s Gallery through October 28
A series of vibrant oil paintings by artist Bernard Garcia is currently on display in the President’s Gallery, located on the fifth floor of the E-Building. Sponsored by the LaGuardia Galleries of Fine Arts, Garcia’s new series Promenade dans La Nature features paintings of various scenes throughout one of the city’s most iconic locales: Central Park. Garcia is noted for his precise and meticulous brush control and mastery of the plein air technique, with which he creates rich, colorful paintings of natural settings. Promenade dans La Nature will be on view through October 28. For more information on the exhibition, contact Arianne Fernandez at afernandez@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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Updated Academic Calendar
LaGuardia's academic calendar was recently updated due to an error in the dates received from the Central Office for Spring 2024 Session I which affected all 12/6 colleges. Spring 2024 Session I will be from 3/01/2024 to 6/13/2024. View full calendar online or download.
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Wellness Center to Host Mental Health Awareness Trainings this Semester
The Wellness Center invites faculty, staff, and students to attend an evidence-based mental health awareness training this semester. The center is offering two different kinds of trainings: Mental Health First Aid and Question-Persuade-Refer, both of which will provide participants with basic skills that can help them support and aid individuals facing a mental health crisis.
If interested, you can register here to be notified when the training dates and times are set. Here’s a bit more information about both of the trainings.
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is designed to help participants identify and assist students and other members of the community who may be struggling with a mental health challenge. The training provides the skills needed to skillfully communicate with someone in need.
- Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) is a 60-minute suicide prevention intervention training. Participants will get an opportunity to learn the common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use, how to compassionately interact with a person in crisis and how to connect the person to appropriate help.
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Communications and External Affairs Offers Guidance on Promotion Efforts
The Communications and External Affairs Division offers a guidance policy on the use of posters and flyers on campus. In addition, offices and departments can submit requests for assistance on projects (including event promotion, website assistance, photography and video) by filling out the Project Request Form. The CEA staff will review your request to provide you with the best options to help you promote your project or event effectively. Visit the CEA website to learn about services including: social media, web, graphic design, public relations, communications, government relations, video and photography and marketing. Also, be sure to check out the Branded Promotional Products Catalog to purchase customized giveaways.
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CEA Offers Photo Shoot and Video Recording Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! Photo Days are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and there is one coming up on Wednesday, November 15, in Room E-509. Faculty and staff can reserve a timeslot HERE. In addition, we are asking faculty and staff to share a quick on-camera response to the question: “What do you enjoy most about working/teaching at LaGuardia.” For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471 or Carlos Freire, videographer, at Ext. 5292.
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Academic Policies Workshop
The Academic Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the Senate, would like to invite you to the annual Workshop on Academic Policies. The workshop will cover important policies related to students' academic progress and also recent policy changes and updates. The workshop will take place on Monday, October 23 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Share policy questions you would like addressed in the workshop using the two question Feedback Form linked here . Please contact the Committee Chair, Lilla Töke ( ltoke@lagcc.cuny.edu ) with any questions or concerns.
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LaGuardia Staff Attends Long Island City Summit
On Tuesday, October 18, LaGuardia Community College staff attended the Long Island City Summit, hosted by LIC Partnership at the Museum of Moving Image. Topics discussed during the Summit included Public Spaces and the Public Realm, Sustainability and Resiliency in LIC, and Challenges and Opportunities in LIC. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Julie Won were also in attendance highlighting the importance of government to invest in the infrastructure of the neighborhood from investing in a sewage system that addresses the flooding in Western Queens to building a community where individuals can come live, work and play.
Pictured: LaGuardia Community College staff (L-R): Paisley Demby, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program; Claudia Chan and Luda Spajic from External Affairs; Ken Campanelli, Administration.
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Fall II Book Adoptions in New Online Bookstore
LaGuardia is transitioning to a new online bookstore provider, Akademos, Inc. Book adoptions for Fall 2023 Session II can now be made on the Akademos site (log in with your CUNYfirst credentials); a training video is available here. Book adoptions made through Akademos will be reflected on CUNYfirst as well. Please be advised that September 30 was the last day to make adoptions in CUNYfirst.
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PTA Professor Presents Study at APTA Conference
Prof. Sandra Ribeiro, PT, DPT, MSEd, PCS, an assistant professor in LaGuardia’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, recently highlighted her study based on a need and gap in literature at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) New York Professional Conference 2023 held in Saratoga Springs, NY. The study, titled Wellness School Program: The “10-minute instant running” physical activity program and impact on health measures in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The cohort, pre-post study demonstrated statistically significant changes using the Wilcoxon signed-rank in elementary students who participated in a “10-minute running” program daily for 3 months on cardiorespiratory function and body composition. The measurements that improved were heart rate, oxygen saturation, hip and waist circumference, triceps measurement, and body mass index. The overall benefit of physical activity highlights the importance of integrating small bouts of activity in schools for students with ASD. The small dosage improves the current health status and potentially secondary health problems related to sedentary behaviors.
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library:
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSA) Open Enrollment
Prospective Plan Year 2024 Participants:
- Enroll or re-enroll for Plan Year 2024 between October 2 - November 15, 2023, for an effective date of January 1, 2024.
- 2024 Plan Year Contribution Limits as of October 3 are: DeCAP minimum $500, maximum $5,000; HCFSA minimum $260, maximum $3,050 (may change per the IRS). Please refer to the FSA website for updates.
- Please review the Plan Year 2024 FSA Program Brochure before re-enrolling.
- Federal regulations require that you use the entire amount you allocate to HCFSA and/or DeCAP by the end of the Plan Year or forfeit the unused balance.
If you have no changes to your FSA account information (i.e., dependent/marital/payment status) and want to re-enroll (or enroll) for Plan Year 2024, complete the Plan Year 2024 Enrollment/Change Form, indicating your goal amount and program selection. Please return your form no later than November 16, 2023 to the FSA program via https://nyc-fsa.leapfile.net. If you do not want to re-enroll for Plan Year 2024, then you do not need to do anything.
The LAGCC HR Department does not administer the FSA program. Please visit the FSA website for FSA procedure guides and detailed program information brochures.
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Cyber Security Awareness Month: Using Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
As online resources have expanded, we’ve gone from having just a few passwords to as many as 100 different passwords to remember. Password managers can help you make accounts safer by recommending strong, unique passwords and making it easier to manage and use those passwords.
Password Resources:
Helpful Password Tips:
- Every one of your passwords should be at least 12 characters.
- Each account needs to be protected with its own unique password – a combination of upper-case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters (like >, !?).
- Lock up your password list. Replace your written password list with a password management tool—just remember one strong password for the password manager.
- A password manager encrypts passwords. It reminds you to change passwords regularly and evaluate their strength.
CUNY Information Security information is available at National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). CUNY also provides a list of Security Resources.
We are committed to supporting your use of technology, safely and securely. If you have any cyber security questions, please contact LaGuardia's Information Security.
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LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES
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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. |
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