"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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Pinning Ceremony Held for Internationally Trained Nurses
On Friday, September 15, LAGCC’s NYC Welcome Back Center (NYCWBC) held a pinning ceremony for 33 internationally trained nurses who are on their way to becoming Registered Nurses in New York State. The event marked their completion of NYCWBC’s 2023 NY-BEST NCLEX-RN for English Language Learners Class. The program incorporates ESOL instruction contextualized for work in a medical environment to help students, who must have intermediate-level English proficiency, pass the NCLEX-RN and be successful in a nursing career here. NYCWBC is part of the Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET), which helps low-income immigrants become independent, contributing citizens of New York City. It is run in partnership with the Health Sciences Department and CIET’s ESOL Programming. Funding is provided by the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ Workforce Development Division to help meet the city’s demand for a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce.
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LaGuardia Faculty Members are Diving into the Opportunities and Challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence
When ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) language model that can produce conversational responses to user queries first came out in late 2022, LaGuardia faculty began investigating how the new writing tool could impact their academic fields and classrooms. Dr. Ximena Gallardo, professor of English, heads the English Department’s Task Force on Generative AI and Writing, which aims to gather information about generative text chatbots like ChatGPT and distill information for faculty colleagues. This fall, Dr. Robin Kietlinski, professor of history, and Dr. Lilla Tőke, associate professor of English, will lead an interdisciplinary faculty seminar about AI, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning. CUNY is providing an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn about generative AI at the 22nd Annual IT Conference, scheduled for November 30 and December 1 at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Read more about how LAGCC faculty are exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI here.
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Humanities Lecturer Kia Eshghi Mixes Score for Film Premiering at New York Latino Film Festival
One Red Hawk is making waves at the New York Latino Film Festival this week. Kia Eshghi, a lecturer in the Humanities Department, mixed the original score for a film that makes its world premiere at the festival on Wednesday. Eshghi, who teaches music recording technology at LaGuardia, is credited as the score mixer in A Thousand Pines, a film directed by Sebastián Diaz and Noam Osband. The documentary details the plight of several Oaxacan tree planters serving as guest workers for the largest reforestation company in the United States.
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LaGuardia Alumna Publishes Investigative Essay on LGBTQ Refugees in Greece
LaGuardia graduate Valerie Pires (’21) recently had her essay, "Offtrack: The Long Road to Asylum for LGBTQ Refugees in Greece," published by the Pulitzer Center. “I am profoundly grateful to all the incredible LGBTQ refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian workers who were somehow involved for trusting me, sharing their stories, and allowing me to amplify their voices,” says Pires, who is a Film and Media Studies major at Columbia University and a Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow. Professor Stephen Petrus served as Valerie's mentor at the Pulitzer Center and had previously worked with her at LaGuardia on the exhibit "A Seat at the Table" on LGBTQ+ elected officials in City Council and the state legislature. Pires’ essay focuses on the plight of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. Pires will graduate in 2024 and plans on applying to the Columbia Journalism School for a degree in investigative journalism or to Ph.D. programs in Film and Media Studies.
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LaGuardia Community College Participates in ABC de la Feria de Servicios Para Colombianos en Nueva York
On September 16, 2023, Luda Spajic from External Affairs and Dr. Milena Cuellar, professor of mathematics and member of La Casa de las Américas' Executive Committee and the CTL advisory council, attended ABC de la Feria de Servicios Para Colombianos in New York fair at Queens Borough Hall. The LaGuardia team had a fantastic opportunity to speak about LaGuardia programs and services with the event attendees. The fair was organized by the Colombian Consulates in New York and New Jersey in collaboration with the Colombia Nos Une to provide the community members with valuable resources to empower and promote their well-being.
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Conversations with LaGuardia’s Professor of Romance About her New Book
Dr. Jayashree Kamblé, professor of English, will be giving two upcoming talks about her new book, Creating Identity: The Popular Romance Heroine's Journey to Selfhood and Self-Presentation. Dr. Kamblé, who focuses on mass-market romance novels, describes the book as an examination of the propensity of romance heroines to reject societal labels in favor of remaking themselves on their terms. On Friday, September 22, 6 p.m., she’ll be speaking at the CUNY Asian American/ Asian Research Institute. On Sunday, September 24, 5–7 p.m., she’ll be at the Ripped Bodice bookstore in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Dr. Kamblé has appeared on two recent podcasts about the book: CUNY’s Indoor Voices, where she was interviewed alongside Dr. Tara Jean Hickman, education associate at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives and adjunct professor of Social Sciences, and Shelf Love.
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Students, Faculty and Staff: VOTE for Red Hawk’s Name
The deadline for voting is September 29
LaGuardia’s mascot, the mighty Red Hawk, needs a name! Students, faculty and staff can cast a VOTE HERE and select one of the following gender-neutral names: Red, Rebel, Remy, or Rocket; or you can suggest another “R” name. Signs are also posted around each of the college’s building entrances with a QR code that can be scanned to vote. Show your school spirit and be a part of history! The winning name will be announced in “Campus Update” on October 4th.
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College Bookstore Closing Sept. 22
LaGuardia’s College Barnes & Noble Bookstore, located on the lower level of the M-Building will be closing its doors on September 22. The store closure will be bringing an online option for students, faculty and staff to use for purchase books and merchandise. Faculty will be using Akademos to select books to support college course offerings. Faculty training (which includes videos) will take place in October 2023 (dates to be announced). Students can place Fall 2 orders with ISBN numbers. The official online store will open around November 1. For more information, contact Carmen Luong at carmenl@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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LaGuardia Invites Neighbors and Runners to Community 5K Run on October 14
The LaGuardia Community Run is making its way back to Long Island City this fall for the second time. Avid runners and walkers of all levels are welcome to participate in the event, which will take place Saturday, October 14. The run will begin at 9 a.m. near the C Building, at the intersection of 29th Street and 47th Avenue. Participants will make their way out to the East River Waterfront before meandering back toward campus. This year’s principal sponsor is Boyce Technologies, Inc., located in Long Island City, Queens. Proceeds from the LaGuardia Community 5K Run support LaGuardia CARES. Registration for the Community 5K Run is now open to participants ages 7 or older.
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President’s Fall Report Scheduled for September 29
President Kenneth Adams will present the Fall Report on Friday, September 29, at 10 a.m. in the Little Theater. He will be joined by other members of the college administration who will share data and updates regarding college priorities. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend in-person RSVP or view online.
On September 6, President Adams presented remarks on the importance of supporting student success. To read his remarks, click HERE.
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Wellness Center Programming and Resources for Fall I
With Fall I already underway, the Wellness Center would like to inform faculty and staff of the various resources and programming available to students through the center. This semester, the Wellness Center, located in Room C-249 of the C-Building, has extended its hours to the following:
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Monday through Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Wellness Center offers both in-person and remote counseling services, as well as crisis support, mental health workshops, and training. Students interested in the Wellness Center’s counseling services at the center can fill out intake forms in English or Spanish to get started. For a comprehensive guide on Wellness Center programming and resources that you can share with students, you can access the Wellness Center’s Fall I E-Guidebook.
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Save the Date: LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative to Host Fall Orientation on Sept. 27, 2023
The LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative (LHI) will be hosting its virtual fall orientation on Sept. 27, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. RSVP for the orientation session here. The LHI partners with organizations on a local, national, and global level to give students an opportunity to engage in civic and academic service for their community through experiential learning. This academic year, the LHI is addressing the theme of “End Poverty, Feed Hope,” and working with the following partner organizations: the Food Bank of New York, the Western Queens Food Co-op, Water for South Sudan, and American Women for International Understanding. If you’re interested in incorporating an LHI module in one of your courses, please feel free to email Tuli Chatterji at tchatterji@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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Updates on COVID-19 Protocol on Campus
With the end of the CUNY COVID mandate the College is no longer required to conduct contact tracing or report COVID data to the NYC Department of Health. CUNY is following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations for people who test positive for COVID-19, which currently include five days of isolation beginning with the onset of initial symptoms or the test date. If you are symptom-free on your sixth day, you can return to work while wearing a high-quality mask until the end of your tenth day. There are no campus access restrictions or contact tracing requirements for those who have been exposed to a COVID-positive person.
Proof of a negative COVID test result is no longer required to return to campus. The College is no longer monitoring inboxes that were set up to report COVID information during the pandemic (EmployeeReportCOVID@lagcc.cuny.edu and StudentReportCOVID@lagcc.cuny.edu). To report a COVID case, please contact your supervisor/ instructor. Faculty are encouraged to provide accommodations to COVID-positive students while in isolation. Employees can refer to the COVID-19 NY Sick Leave Reference Guide for information on eligibility for sick leave and other leave entitlements.
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LaGuardia CARES Introduces Free Lunch Program for Students
LaGuardia CARES is introducing a new pilot program aimed at enhancing student well-being and support. From Sept. 19 through Oct. 31, CARES will provide free lunches to students on a first-come, first-served basis every Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in room C-107. This initiative is designed to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals during their busy academic schedules. For more information about the program, please reach out to LaGuardia CARES via email at laguardiacare@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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Annual Golf Outing Tees Off in October
The 10th Annual Mark C. Healy Scholarship Fund Golf Outing is set to take place on Monday, October 2 at Indian Hills Country Club in Northport. Every dollar raised directly benefits students at LaGuardia Community College, by supporting their educational aspirations and empowering them to create brighter futures. Over the last ten years, the event has raised more than $390,000 for students.
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Flu Shot Clinic Scheduled for October 16
Flu season is coming up fast — protect yourself against the influenza virus with a vaccine at the upcoming Flu Shot Clinic next month. Members of the LaGuardia community will be able to receive a dose of the flu vaccine on Monday, October 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in room E-111.
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LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES
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NEW YORK TIMES: Dr. Stephen Petrus, director of public history programs for the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, co-authored a 2015 book, “Folk City: New York and the American Folk Music Revival,” which included an essay by folk musician Len Chandler.
LO-DOWN: Interview with Destiny Mata, a Mexican-American photographer and filmmaker who studied photojournalism at LaGuardia Community College. Her work, which focuses on issues of subculture and community, has been featured in The New York Times, The Nation, VICE, The Culture Crush, and Teen Vogue.
LIC POST: LaGuardia volunteers participated in a public art project launched by the Long Island City Partnership at the PS4 Skillman School, which serves children on the autism spectrum and with other special needs.
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Thursday, September 21
Friday, September 22
Tuesday, September 26
Wednesday, September 27
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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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