"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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NYC Mayor Adams Announces Youth Career “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy”
On December 11, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced, “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success”—a more than $600 million initiative, during a press conference hosted at LaGuardia Community College. CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams, Queensborough Community College President Christine Mangino, and Guttman Community College President Larry D. Johnson Jr. stood alongside the mayor as he unveiled the youth career plan. Through comprehensive, collaborative partnerships across the city, state, and federal governments, and multiple other sectors, the action plan will develop the city’s future workforce, serving up to 250,000 young people. The action plan and its investments deliver on key commitments made in Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” and Executive Order 22 to provide young New Yorkers with fulfilling careers and financial security, while helping private employers find the best talent. “Our ‘Working People’s Tour’ is focused on making sure our economy works for all New Yorkers—especially our young people—and helps them find the network, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in an ever-changing world,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City’s tomorrow depends on what we do for our young people today. That’s why this plan brings together all levels of government, multiple city agencies, employers, and partners across various sectors to tell our young people: we are here to help you succeed.” “The City University of New York is an engine of social and economic mobility that prepares students for successful careers, but they also need work experience, mentors and connections to employers who are eager to hire them,” said Chancellor Dr. Matos Rodríguez. “CUNY 2x Tech is a best-in-class model that has propelled many of our tech students to the careers of their dreams. We’re thrilled that Mayor Adams is expanding this keystone initiative and look forward to working with New York City business leaders and other essential partners to advance the additional big ideas that this action plan puts forward. Together, we can make sure young people have the opportunities they need to lift themselves and our city.”
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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Hosts Graduation Ceremony
On December 7, “The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort 40 Celebration of Success” was hosted at LaGuardia Community College, recognizing its largest cohort of 39 small businesses that graduated from the program. The Ribbon Ceremony took place in NYDesigns and The Celebration of Success was presented in the 10KSB Education Center. Dr. Assuanta Howard, Assistant Dean, Business Services & Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, said this cohort represents a wide cross-section of industries: accounting services, construction, consulting, cosmetics, education, health services, food and beverage, IT, logistics, public relations, security, and video production.
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Center for an Urban Future hosts Tech Career forum at LaGuardia Community College
On December 11, Center for an Urban Future (CUF) hosted its policy forum Helping More Queens Residents Access Tech Careers at LaGuardia Community College. The event focused on actions to close the opportunity gap for tech careers in New York and bolster tech education and training in Queens. Speakers included President Kenneth Adams who shared ideas about enhancing economic growth and job opportunities across tech industries. Also in attendance to speak about supporting and exposing tech careers to CUNY students were Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Julie Won, Council Member Natasha Williams and Assembly Member Clyde Vanel.
Pictured: President Kenneth Adams on CUF tech education panel along with Thomas Grech (Queens Chamber of Commerce), Jukay Hsu (Pursuit), Clarisa James (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Science- DIVA for Social Justice) and Anthony Negron (New York Hall of Science)
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Multilingual Skills Central to Student Internship Program
About a dozen students from LaGuardia Community College successfully completed their internship with the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program in Long Island City, NY. The interns used their bilingual skills to assist in interpreting for a variety of legal proceedings at different courts in New York City. Guided by senior court interpreters, they worked on cases ranging from minor civil court cases to criminal cases with a jury verdict. Some of the interns are planning to take the Per-Diem Court Interpreter Exam to become registered per-diem court interpreters. The internship program was offered first in 2017 and was resumed in Fall 2023 after a brief suspension due to the pandemic. The next internship program is scheduled in Spring 2024. For more information, contact the Modern Languages Program or the Center for Career and Professional Development at LaGuardia Community College.
Pictured: Students at the final meeting of the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program: From left to right: Bertha Cordero, Tuhin Akhanda, Ansha Khan, Abed Rahat, Lei Yati Oo, Liliana Mema, Apollinariia Nikolaevskaia and Armando Chacon (not on the photo: Ashley Gallegos Ventura)
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Author Javier Zamora Presents Conversation about ‘Solito’
On December 6, acclaimed author Javier Zamora read from his gripping memoir “Solito” at LaGuardia Community College. “Solito,” a New York Times bestseller, is Zamora’s gripping account of crossing El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico into the U.S. as a nine-year-old. It has been described as “a revelation, a new landmark in the literature of migration, and in nonfiction writ large.” Zamora is also the author of a book of poetry, “Unaccompanied” (Copper Canyon Press, 2017). The event was supported by the NEH grant Border Lands, Border Waters as well as the Creative Writing Committee of the English Department.
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Student Spotlight: Vet Tech Club President Mickey Escarcega
Vet Tech Club President Michaela (Mickey) Escarcega, 30, is proud that the club led LaGuardia’s first-ever Pet Pantry Drive in partnership with LaGuardia CARES. Thanks to their efforts, the LaGuardia CARES pantry has a new pet section for students who are pet owners. Mickey credits club mentor Lara Arbach for coining the idea for a Pet Pantry Drive, and her fellow Vet Tech Club members for their teamwork in organizing it. Mickey, Elizabeth Zenteno, Alexis Boaze, Favi Olmedo, and Lizz Hudman are Veterinary Technology majors; Natalie Plaza is a Nursing major; and Steven Perez is pre-clinical. Like Mickey, most came to LaGuardia to upskill for a new career in animal care or human health care.
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“Before coming to LaGuardia, I spent a decade working in the theater/film/TV industry,” Mickey said, pictured with Coquito, her three-year-old Australian Cattle Dog. “I knew that I would never do just one thing with my life.” She drew inspiration from her family and childhood in deciding to pursue veterinary technology as a career. “I grew up in the countryside surrounded by companion, farm, and ranch animals,” said Mickey, who hails from Madera Ranchos, a small community north of Fresno, California. “A few years ago, my aunt left her career as a nurse to pursue animal medicine. She inspired me to do the same. I turned down a job offer and registered for classes at LaGuardia instead, thinking, ‘If I get in the clinical phase, I'll do it,’ and I did! So here I am. I'll graduate with the rest of my incredible classmates in Spring 2024.” | | |
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Students, Faculty, and Staff Reminded to Present Campus I.D. Before Entering Campus
A friendly reminder: All students, faculty, and staff must show their LaGuardia ID to Public Safety officers before entering the campus. All students, faculty, and staff are required to always have their digital or printed ID cards to gain access to open buildings, events, and educational programs. Visitors who do not have a college ID, will be asked to show some form of picture identification (state ID, IDNYC, Passport, etc.). For more information visit the Public Safety website. Let’s keep LaGuardia safe!
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Upcoming MBJ Schedule Changes
M-Building Cafeteria
- Closed December 18– January 2
- Service resumes January 3
E-Atrium Café
- Open December 18– 21: 8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
- Closed December 22– January 2
- Service resumes January 3
C-Building Café
- Open December 18– 22: 8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
- Closed December 23– January 2
- Service resumes January 3
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Farmer’s Fridge Vending Machines Provide Healthy Meals On Campus
LaGuardia faculty, staff, and students have a new way to get healthy, balanced meals in between classes and meetings: Farmer’s Fridge! The machines are stocked daily with fresh salads, grain bowls, wraps, and healthy snacks. Visit three campus locations:
- E-Building: Second floor near the E-Atrium
- B-Building: Lobby near the building entrance
- C-Building: Fourth floor near elevators
To celebrate the grand opening of the Farmer’s Fridge vending machines on campus, a 25% discount will be applied to all orders through the machines during the month of December.
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LaGuardia Supports Pediatric Patients at NYC Health+Hospitals/ Elmhurst Hospital
On December 6, 2023, Luda Spajic of LaGuardia’s External Affairs Department attended Elmhurst Hospital’s First Business, Arts & CBO Council Holiday Mixer. Numerous community organizations joined the toy drive event which collected gifts and other necessities for the hospital's patients.
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LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | |
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LPAC Presents “The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland” and Free Drag Story Hours
“The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland” has been a holiday tradition at LPAC for more than 20 years. The Joffrey Ballet School will return on Sunday, December 17 at 3:30 p.m. with a one-hour performance of “The Nutcracker” specifically tailored for school-aged children and their families. Once the curtain lowers, families will be invited to meet and take photos with Santa in a magical “Toyland” decorated by LPAC’s theater production team. Reserve your tickets today for “The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland.” Tickets – $30; Faculty/Staff – $25 (code “STAFF”); Students – $15 (code “STUDENT”); Groups of four and more – $20 (code “GROUP”). Note: Faculty/Staff/Students need to use a LaGuardia email for discount approval.
Drag Story Hour NYC will host two storytelling events for families with children ages 4–10, on Saturday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 17 at 2 p.m. A local drag performer will read several picture books that touch on themes of diversity and difference, followed by song, movement, and art activities. The story hours are FREE; advance registration requested.
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LaGuardia Students Make Local and Global Connections
LaGuardia Community College students enrolled in the Language Culture and Society (EIS215-ENG103) Learning Community have been focusing on the intersection between language, identity, and food insecurity. The group recently put their studies to practice. On November 28, these students received a private group tour of the United Nations (UN) where they observed a live session of the UN Security Council and learned about sustainable development goals. The tour was followed by a private debriefing where students met the UN Director of Global Communications and received guidance on how to pursue UN careers from a human resources expert–including learning about internships, paid volunteer opportunities, field service and the Young Professionals Program. The UN private tour and debriefing were both funded by the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) Grant. Maria Savva, Associate Professor, who is also Director of LaGuardia’s International Studies Program, said, “UN careers are highly sought after so it’s important for students to start thinking about how they can differentiate themselves early on.’’
Students also made local connections through LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative’s (LHI) partnership with Western Queens Food Coop. After extensive research of UNSDG 2 “Zero Hunger” from both global and local perspectives, students identified their community needs and then developed a food coop model that could provide affordable and culturally relevant food to their Queens communities. On December 7, two students Ekaterine Abutidze and Angell Lopez presented their research model to the Board Members of Western Queens Food Coop where they were also joined by LHI students from the classes of LaGuardia Professors Sada Jaman (Business and Technology), Rebekah Johnson (Education and Language Acquisition), and Ellen Quish (First-Year Programs). “By collaborating with community leaders, students received the opportunity to apply their classroom research on food justice in a professional setting,” said Professor Tuli Chatterji, Founder of LHI and co-director of the Global and Experiential Learning (GEL) Office. “LHI partnerships empower students by giving them an agency to advocate for the knowledge they acquire in the classroom.”
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Music Professor Scott Ethier’s Work Plays on Nebraska Public Media
Yesterday, Nebraska Public Media featured a work written by Scott Ethier, adjunct lecturer of Music Performance (Humanities), on its “Morning Concert” program. A Mother's Carol was commissioned and premiered by conductor Philip Brunelle and the choral group VocalEssence, which recorded the piece for its album “Behold This Heavenly Night.” Lyrics were written by Clay Zambo. Scott Ethier is a composer and pianist whose work draws on his background in jazz, classical music, and theater. His musical Rosa Parks was selected by Lin Manuel Miranda and Stephen Sondheim as the recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters’ Richard Rodgers Award.
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Women’s Basketball
- Dec. 14, 6 p.m. vs. Bronx CC
- Jan. 4, 5 p.m. vs. Passaic County CC
- Jan. 6, 1 p.m. at Hostos CC
- Jan. 9, 6 p.m. at Bronx CC
- Jan. 13, 2 p.m. at Rockland CC
- Jan. 18, 6 p.m. vs. Westchester CC
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Men’s Basketball
- Dec. 14, 8 p.m. vs. Bronx CC
- Jan. 4, 7 p.m. vs. Passaic County CC
- Jan. 6, 3 p.m. at Hostos CC
- Jan. 9, 8 p.m. at Bronx CC
- Jan. 18, 6 p.m. vs. Westchester CC
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library
- Need a one-credit class for the Fall II semester? Sign up for LRC 103, our Internet Research Strategies class. You can find more information here.
- Our Media Lab has just re-opened! Come to the second floor to use our computers, print, etc.
- Beginning December 24, the Library will be closed on Sundays through Fall II. Please check our Library Hours before making the trip.
- We have financial literacy resources available for you! Make sure to check out the MoneyBoss website and the FinLit for Life zero-cost textbook.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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Time to Review and Update Your CUNYfirst Personal Information
It’s that time of the year to review and, if necessary, update your personal information in CUNYfirst. Personal information includes: Home and Mailing Addresses, Phone Numbers (home and cell), and Personal Email Address.
It’s important that you keep your personal information updated as we often send out important notices and emails, such as information regarding W-2 forms. If you need to make any changes, you can do so in “Employee Self-Service (ESS)” by 5:00 PM on January 5, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact the HR Department at extension 5075.
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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.
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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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