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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

LaGuardia has CUNY’s Only Degree Program for U.S. News & World Report Top-Ranked Health Care Job for Family-Sustaining Salaries and Work-Life Balance 


Occupational Therapy Assistant tops U.S. News & World Report rankings of health care jobs that offer financially-rewarding salaries, career advancement, and work-life balance. LaGuardia Community College is the only CUNY college offering a degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, and one of the few in the New York metropolitan region. “We support an individual’s ability to get their life back after an illness or accident. OTAs are trained to help patients with the tasks that are most important to them,” said Regina Lehman, OT, associate professor and OTA Program Director. For Rashaan Austin, COTA/L, 33, a 2021 graduate of LaGuardia’s OTA program, the variety of the work is what he enjoys about his profession. “Every patient is a unique experience. Even people with the same diagnosis. Each day always feels new and interesting,” said Rashaan, who currently works at a skilled nursing facility in East New York, Brooklyn.

Nine LaGuardia Students Take Advantage of Opportunities with the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program 


Nine students from LaGuardia Community College/CUNY successfully completed their internship with the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program. For five weeks from March to the end of April, nine student interns participated in the program using their bilingual skills in the judicial field through their work at various courts in New York City. The LaGuardia interns who participated in the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program in Spring 2023 included: Stephanie Theolin, Liberal Arts major-International Studies Option; Wendy Hernandez, Criminal Justice major; Alondra Barrales, Liberal Arts major-Deaf Studies Option;  Maritza Magdaleno, Spanish-English Translation major; Libby Pollak, Liberal Arts-Music Option; Laura Virgen, Liberal Arts major-International Studies Option; Bunie Joseph, Business Administration major; Alexandra Cuji, Business Administration major; and Bertha Cordero, Spanish-English Translation major. 

LaGuardia Proposes $10 Million Offshore Wind Training Hub with Renewable Energy Developer

 

LaGuardia Community College is partnering with a renewable energy developer on a proposed $10 million Queens Offshore Wind Training Hub at LaGuardia. If funded, the Hub will provide offshore wind training to prepare New Yorkers for careers in the emerging local offshore wind industry, incubation for businesses seeking to participate in the offshore wind supply chain with a focus on Women- owned, Minority-owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned businesses, and community programming for local middle and high school students as well as seminars and events for stakeholders in the clean energy innovation and workforce sectors. An additional $6 million in the proposal would support community-based organizations with a strong presence in Western Queens’ four NYCHA developments – Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, and Woodside – to source, mentor, and refer candidates to the Training Hub. The proposals were announced at an event at LaGuardia on Monday, April 24 with representatives of the developer, Attentive Energy One, a joint venture between Rise Light & Power and TotalEnergies, and community leaders. 

Today's LaGuardia Community Greenway event, Pages and Poems, welcomed the college community to the Plaza to write and reflect, and featured a reading by South African poet Vangile Gantsho.


Click here to learn more about the Greenway series. Sign up to share your talent or volunteer.

Quadro Gallery Exhibit: “Amalgamation” by Henry Louris


“Amalgamation” by painter and printmaker Henry Louris is on display on the Quadro Gallery, located on the fourth floor of the E-Building. Through his creations, Louris seeks to depict the moment of transition between unification and separation, where boundaries between forms dissolve before splitting and renewing themselves. Louris’ process combines erasing and redrawing, building a structure, dissolving it, and continuing to pull additional images from it. The resulting semi-body parts and humanoid landscapes carry the marks of the multilayered process in distinct ways. “Amalgamation” is on display through May 23. 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Through a Partnership with Vassar College, LaGuardia Students to Experience Living and Studying at a Residential Four-Year Campus 


Three LaGuardia Community College students were recently accepted to the 2023 Exploring Transfer Program at Vassar College. The program provides an immersive academic experience for community college students interested in transferring to competitive and rigorous senior colleges. Over five weeks during the summer, Exploring Transfer students live on the Vassar College campus and take two courses co-taught by Vassar and community college faculty. The program is cost-free for the students; a scholarship covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies. Mingyo (Min) Song is an Early Childhood Education major from South Korea, Tania Sierra is a Public and Community Health major and the first in her family to go to college, and Gabriella Paltoo Sierra plans to graduate from LaGuardia in June with her associate degree in English.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Black Lives Matter Summit Continues 

 

The 8th Annual Black Lives Matter Summit welcomed James L. Motley at Monday's kickoff event. Tomorrow, and online discussion about violence facing the Black community will be held at 2 p.m.; review the schedule and RSVP today

Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration Begins May 4 


“Breaking Boundaries and Building Coalitions” is the theme of the 2023 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration at LaGuardia. The annual event features various cultural, philosophical, and linguistic heritages from Asian countries. A mini conference will take place on Thursday, May 4 in Room E-111 and feature three talks covering censorship in Japan, mapping Asian languages in Queens, and mental health. The AAPI Heritage Month Celebration will take place on Wednesday, May 10 on the Plaza

May is Mental Health Awareness Month


The Wellness Center will be honoring "Mental Health Awareness" month throughout May. The Wellness Center will be distributing over 400+ green ribbons to students, faculty and staff to wear in solidarity to raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness. As we work together to provide opportunities for LaGuardia students to talk about their mental health, this will ensure they can receive support that they need to be successful in college and in life. The Wellness Center will be collaborating with programs across LaGuardia to lead a variety of mental health events throughout May.

RSVP for Commencement 2023


Marshals and Volunteers Needed!

LaGuardia’s faculty and staff are invited to attend the 51st Commencement Exercises, taking place Wednesday, June 21 on the Queens College campus. Please RSVP as soon as possible, whether you plan to volunteer, serve as a Commencement Marshal, march in the Academic Processional, or sit in the audience. The Commencement website contains additional information regarding academic regalia rental, directions, and information for students. Faculty wishing to rent academic regalia should place their orders by April 29.

Donations of New Items Requested for Asylum Seekers 


CUNY has partnered with the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) to collect donations to assist asylum seekers temporarily housed in the city. New clothing for people of all sizes will be accepted at C-107 through May 26. The following items are being accepted: 

  • Sneakers, flip flops, sandals, rain boots 
  • Light coats & raincoats 
  • Sweatshirts 
  • Short & long sleeve t-shirts and button ups 
  • Shorts, jeans, slacks and cropped pants 
  • Dresses, tank tops (appropriate length) 
  • Bathing suits (appropriate style) & rash guards  
  • Onesies (newborns and babies) 
  • Underclothes 
  • Backpacks/supplies (for all school-aged children) 
  • Essential items such as toiletries, sunscreen, diapers, etc. 

Remember to Show Your LaGuardia ID to Enter Campus


All students, faculty, and staff are required to display their LaGuardia ID in order to gain access to open buildings, events and educational programs. Public Safety staff will request such identification as you enter the facilities. Your LaGuardia Mobile App ID depicting a green border may be used, or a LaGuardia ID Card and CUNY Access Pass.


The CUNY COVID-19 vaccine mandate remains in effect at LaGuardia Community College until June 16, the last day of Spring I. 

College Website Redevelopment Update 

Teams from Communications & External Affairs and Information Technology have been working behind the scenes preparing for our website to migrate to a new content management system. Individuals that provide updates for the site are asked to respond to requests for content review to help ensure information moves accurately to the new system. Edits to website text can be requested online; if you have questions, please contact Gina Taraskewich.

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Classes Welcome at the Archives


The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives has begun welcoming classes during the spring semester! Classes from across disciplines are visiting for hour- long sessions that introduce students to the exciting world of historical research. During these orientations we showcase some highlights from our collections, practice reading primary source documents, and go over the digital resources available to students. We are located in E-238. We are still scheduling classes so please feel free to reach out to Dr. Molly Rosner to set up a time for your class to visit! 


INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MFA/M365 Support Zoom Sessions  


If you need or would like help with MFA and the new M365 email system, we have created Email Migration Support Zoom Sessions open to all faculty & staff. The remaining April and early May sessions are below. For a complete listing including all May dates, please visit Microsoft 365.  

Morning Sessions  

Afternoon Sessions  

ServiceNow Launching Early May 


We’re in the final phases of completing and testing our transition to ServiceNow, our new cloud-based ticketing system that will be replacing SysAid, the current College-wide ticketing system. We have targeted going live on Monday, May 8. 


ServiceNow will improve our efficiency, security and ability to connect, manage, integrate and respond to help desk ticket requests. This is a CUNY university-wide mandatory change so all campuses are transitioning to ServiceNow. For more information and updates visit ServiceNow SharePoint. In the meantime, please check your emails and Campus Update regularly for more information about ServiceNow and the transition including what will change, available user training and instructional materials and updates on our progress. 

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Center for Teaching and Learning Seminar and Workshop Applications Are Open 


The Center for Teaching and Learning recently announced its first round of professional development seminars and workshops for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. Opportunities for in-person, online and hybrid programs are available. Themes range from artificial intelligence and inclusive pedagogy to mindfulness and housing insecurity. Participant applications are due Monday, May 15. 

Get to Know Queens STEM Academy  


Queens STEM Academy is a collaborative effort between LaGuardia Community College and Queens College, designed to provide students with exceptional STEM education and prepare them for successful transfer to a four-year college to complete their bachelor’s degree. Queens STEM Academy offers support to all STEM students with a particular focus on Computer Science, Biology, and Environmental Science majors in their first two years of study. Students enrolled in the program have access to numerous supports such as learning communities, experiential learning opportunities, summer academies, research opportunities, and more. At the core of the program is a commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Our faculty leaders from MEC and NS are experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals. Through mentorship and guidance, they inspire and motivate students to reach their full potential. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, June 15 for a half-day event to learn more about Queens STEM Academy. 

LIBRARY NEWS

Latest Updates from LaGuardia’s Library 



  • Even though construction in the Library continues, we have plenty of seating available. Other than the first floor, the Mezzanine is still accessible to students by the side staircases and the elevator. The Thomson Reading Room on the second floor is open and accessible by elevator. 
  • Students can borrow Chromebooks, ipads, calculators, and laptops from the Media Help Desk. Chromebooks available for loan for the entire semester. 
  • CUNY students, staff, and faculty are eligible for free digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Abdul Hashim Joins LaGuardia as New Registrar 


LaGuardia Community College/CUNY announces the hiring of Abdul Hashim, who began April 10 as the college’s new Registrar. Hashim brings extensive experience working in the areas of Registrar, Admissions, and ASAP. He also has in-depth knowledge of financial aid regulations for both state and federal programs and providing students with excellent service and support. 

“My goal is to ensure that the Registrar's office operates smoothly and provides exceptional service to all stakeholders, from students and faculty to administrators and external regulatory bodies,” Hashim said. “I believe that with the support of my team and my experience we will be able to achieve these objectives and make a positive impact for LaGuardia Community College.” 

Prior to joining LaGuardia, Hashim served as Associate Director of the Financial Aid Office at Hunter College, where he was responsible for overseeing areas including scholarships, the SEEK program, the Excelsior program, Federal Work Study program and the Hunter’s One Stop program. Hashim’s other past work experience includes serving as Financial Aid Manager with Bronx Community College and working at LaGuardia as a Financial Aid Advisor with Student Financial Services, as an adjunct professor teaching Public Speaking (HUC-106), as a Team Leader, a Student Educational Assistant with Educational Planning, and as a teaching assistant in the Humanities Department. 

Hashim has an Associate of Arts Degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor of Arts from Hunter College and a Master’s of Science in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. 

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

QUEENS LATINO: A Renewable Energy Developer is proposing a $10 million investment to LaGuardia Community College and $6 million towards Western Queens community organizations as part of an offshore wind project


AMNY/ MSN: Attentive Energy One proposes $10M investment to LaGuardia Community College for green energy training hub 


POLITICO: LaGuardia and Attentive Energy One, a joint venture between Rise Light & Power and TotalEnergies, made an announcement about a $10 million partnership to construct a new local clean energy training hub 

 

ART NEWS: Profiles the work of Arthur Simms, professor and program director at LaGuardia Community College 

EVENTS

Thursday, April 27 

 

Friday, April 28 

 

Monday, May 1 

 

Tuesday, May 2 

 

Wednesday, May 3 

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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 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.