"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. | |
The Division of Communications and External Affairs offers various additional resources to help you share news with the campus, including an event calendar, photography, graphic design, and more. | |
Campus Life Welcomes Incoming Red Hawks at New Student Orientation | |
On February 27, LaGuardia hosted its New Student Orientation, welcoming nearly 500 students who are set to begin their studies at LaGuardia this Spring. The event, coordinated by Campus Life, featured a full day of activities that focused on getting the new Red Hawks acclimated to the campus environment. The orientation kicked off with a general presentation in the Mainstage Theater in the morning, before breaking out into departmental sessions throughout the afternoon. Later in the day, students had the opportunity to attend guided tours of LaGuardia’s campus, as well as a resource fair that introduced them to the wide range of support services and programs on campus. The new students will return to campus on Thursday, March 6 for the start of Spring I classes. | |
Mark your calendars for “HERStory in the Making,” a series of events for Women’s History Month highlighting the contributions and achievements of women and advocates for women’s rights. This year’s programming focuses on doers and changemakers at the forefront of political, artistic, and educational advancement. Events kick off on Thursday, March 13, with a keynote address from Vilda Vera Mayuga, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The HERStory in the Making series is spearheaded by the 2025 Women's History Month Committee, a collaborative, cross-divisional committee of faculty, staff, and students (see list here). “HERStory in the Making honors the advocacy, education, and legal efforts advancing women’s rights and gender equality nationwide. While progress is ongoing, our current political and social climates present new challenges,” said Dr. Alexis McLean, Vice President of Student Affairs. “We encourage the campus to engage in these events, which offer opportunities for self-expression and models for spreading this work far and wide.” Read more here. | |
LaGuardia and CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium March in St. Pat's for All Parade | |
Members of the LaGuardia community joined the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium in this year’s St. Pat’s for All Parade on Sunday, March 2. About 40 people represented the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium at the parade, which took place in the historically Irish neighborhoods of Sunnyside and Woodside. The grand marshal of this year’s parade was Micky Murray, the first openly gay person to serve as Lord Mayor of Belfast. Other notable attendees included Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Council Members Adrienne Adams, Julie Won, and Shekar Krishnan. All in all, the parade boasted thousands of participants and 110 participating groups, according to the Sunnyside Post. Founded in 2000 by LGBT rights activist Brendan Fay, the St. Pat’s for All Parade was created in response to the exclusion of Irish LGBTQ communities from other St. Patrick's Day parades in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. | |
LaGuardia Hires Justin Sloboda as Director of Events | | |
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LaGuardia has hired Justin Sloboda as its new Director of Events. Justin, who officially began his role March 3, comes to LaGuardia with extensive experience in public events management and planning with educational and community organizations. In his role, Justin will serve as the lead point of contact for event planning and campus events. He will work closely with the College’s senior management to enhance the marketability and profitability of campus events and facilities. Justin will also lead the college’s efforts to coordinate various events including Commencement and events on the LaGuardia Community Greenway. “I am thrilled to be joining LaGuardia,” Justin said. “As a born and bred Queens kid and CUNY alumnus joining LaGuardia Community College feels like coming home in the best possible way.” | |
Spring Opening Sessions to Take Place Today at 3 p.m. | |
Today at 3 p.m. in the Little Theater, join President Kenneth Adams for news and updates on college-wide initiatives, and an overview of LaGuardia’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan with vice presidents, faculty, staff and students. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. Refreshments will be served in Poolside Cafe following the presentation. A livestream is also available. | | |
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LaGuardia aims to be an inclusive and welcoming environment with an appreciation for celebrations and observances that are important to a wide range of cultures and religions. Here are just a few of the religious and cultural observances recognized in our community throughout the month of March:
- March 5: Ash Wednesday
- March 13-14: Purim
- March 14: Holi
- March 20: Nowruz
- March 31: Cesar Chavez Day
For a full listing of holidays and observations celebrated this month and throughout the year, please visit the CUNY Religions & Ethnic Holiday Calendar.
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Casa de las Américas Kicks off Spring 2025 Programming Next Week | |
Casa de las Américas (La Casa), will host two events next week to kick off the center’s lineup of Spring 2025 events. On Tuesday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., La Casa will host the Federación de Mujeres Cubanas Panel Discussion in Room E-500. The panel is being hosted in collaboration with the Cuba Sí NY-NJ Coalition. Then, on Wednesday, March 12, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., La Casa will host its Open House in M-144 and the M-Building Lobby. The Open House will serve as a space for members of the LaGuardia community to learn more about La Casa’s programs and services. Attendees will also enjoy a Mexica Danza performance by Kalpulli Huehuetlahtolli. Find the full schedule of La Casa’s Spring 2025 programming here. | |
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Black Empowerment Summit to Host Networking Event; RSVP by March 14 | | |
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The Black Empowerment Summit, formerly known as the Black Lives Matter Summit, is hosting a networking event on April 9 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This year's summit is focused on the theme of “The Black Code: The Influence of Politics, Wealth, Culture, and Education,” and espouses the slogan “Unlocking Power, Building Legacy, Shaping the Future.” The networking event will highlight the vital connections between these factors in driving Black excellence and progress. Business owners, poets, entrepreneurs, authors, and changemakers are invited to attend the event and connect, collaborate, and share insights with other attendees. To attend, please RSVP by reaching out to Rachel Romain at rcharles@lagcc.cuny.edu by March 14. Learn more about other programming at this year's Black Empowerment Summit here. | |
LaGuardia offers resources to support students, regardless of their immigration status. The college recently published LaGuardia’s Know Your Rights webpage, which features a series of resources and general guidelines for interacting with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this page with students so that they can be better informed. | |
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Sign Up to Add a Professional Headshot to Your Faculty Profile | | |
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LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting a series of “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! Your headshot can be used for a variety of purposes and adds a personal touch to your Faculty Profile on the LaGuardia website. Book your timeslot for March 18, April 15 or May 13. For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471. | |
LaGuardia CARES Offers Free Tax Support | |
Members of the LaGuardia community can get tax help directly from IRS Tax Department employees this year. Individuals with an annual income below $85,000 can register for an online appointment on Thursdays, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. During the session, a tax specialist will walk you through your income tax returns and help you e-file your return virtually. Click here to register. | |
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The FY2025 Tax Levy December 31, 2024 Operating Budgets by department are available for viewing. | |
LaGuardia Offers Funding Resources for Virtually Every Student | |
Through the Friedman Fund for new New Yorkers, any eligible student at LaGuardia can receive support through scholarships, experiential learning stipends, and emergency aid, to help students complete their degree or continuing education program. Students of any citizenship status can apply for support through the LaGuardia Foundation here. | |
LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | |
LPAC is partnering with the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company to present a restaging of Boda Mexicana (Mexican Wedding). A celebration of Mexican culture through the story of a traditional Mexican wedding, Boda Mexicana follows two lovers who travel through time, from the Mayan pyramids to the coast of Sinaloa in Northern Mexico. The show highlights indigenous and Hispanic customs of courtship, engagement, meeting the in-laws, the wedding ceremony and reception. In true telenovela style, an enchantress seeks to end the couple’s voyage of love. “The Boda Mexicana cast of dancers and musicians will take audiences on a voyage filled with color, joy, and the Mexican spirit,” said Juan Castaño, Executive Director of Calpulli. The performance is scheduled for Sunday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m. on LPAC’s Mainstage Theater. Tickets are $35 for general admission. Reserve tickets here. | |
5 Years Later: Practices, Pedagogies, and Tools to Enhance LaGuardia Student Success | | |
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Please join faculty, staff, and students in a series of in-person events that highlight practices designed to support student success from the first-year experience through graduation. Exchange ideas and insights with colleagues from across the college about activities and approaches that foster student engagement both within and outside the classroom.
Click on the links below to learn more about each event.
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Transfer Engagement Initiative Shares Resources with Faculty and Staff to Support Students with Transfer | |
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The Transfer Engagement Initiative (TEI) encourages faculty and staff to support LaGuardia students on their journey to transfer to a four-year college. To that end, TEI has collected resources and information to share with faculty and staff that can help them assist students:
- Please share this Transfer and Scholarship Application guide with students who are considering transferring in the coming semesters.
- If you know a student who is apply to Georgetown University, faculty members may nominate them for the Georgetown University Preferred Choice Program, which can enhance their application. The deadline for nominations is March 1. Click here to nominate a student.
- Save the date for the Spring Transfer Fair, scheduled to take place on March 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the E-Building Atrium. More details to be shared soon.
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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 following offices:
- Admissions
- International Student Services
- Registrar
- Student Financial Services
- Student Information Center
- Transfer Credit Evaluation
- Testing
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library | |
- Welcome back! Our regular hours resume with the start of the Spring semester on Thursday, March 6. You can check our Library Hours here.
- We have copies of almost all textbooks in the Library available to check out for 2 hours (you can’t leave the Library, though). If we don’t have it, please let us know. If you can’t make it into the Library, you can request a chapter scan. Follow these directions to make a request.
- Need to borrow a Chromebook, iPad, calculator, or laptop? Stop by our Media Help Desk.
- Free digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are available to all students, staff, and faculty. Use your LaGuardia email to sign up.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day with some exciting spring break deals, courtesy of Working Advantage. With promo code APPRECIATION2025, you can save $10 on $100 or more. This offer expires April 1. Explore these and hundreds of other offers with LaGuardia’s company code (971240428):
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Walt Disney World Resort: Adult tickets at child prices for 3 or more days
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Cruises: Up to $1,500 onboard credit for select cruises.
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Discount Hotel Reservations: Enjoy exclusive savings up to 60% off hotel rates.
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Discount Flight Reservations: Save up to 20% on flights.
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TurboTax: Save an extra 20%.
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Happier Meditation App: Get a free 60-day trial.
Contact Bonnie Brown for more information.
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LaGuardia Seeks to Fill Open Faculty and Staff Positions
LaGuardia currently has several ongoing searches for new faculty and staff members. Current faculty and staff are welcome to share the openings below with individuals who they believe may be a good fit for the role, or apply for the positions themselves.
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Complete Your Compliance Trainings | |
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Human Resources reminds faculty and staff to complete their compliance trainings, as LaGuardia's completion rates are low:
- Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) – 23%
- Workplace Violence Prevention (WVP) – 24%
- Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) – 29%
All CUNY employees are required to complete these trainings at least once each academic year. To access your assigned training(s), log into Blackboard and navigate to Organizations to find your assigned compliance courses. If you need assistance, please contact Yasu Denda.
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DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DoIT) | |
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New End User Digest Report Helps Manage Blocked Emails
The Department of Information Technology is excited to announce the End User Digest Report, a new feature to help protect you against targeted attacks in your inbox such as phishing, malware, and business email compromise. The report allows you to easily view and manage messages that have been blocked; you can also review and release emails incorrectly flagged as spam and block unwanted senders or set custom filtering rules. If you have any questions or need assistance with using the Digest Report or its features, contact our HelpDesk at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu, or call (718) 482-6134.
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DoIT Project Management Request Form Streamlines Project Requests
DoIT has launched a streamlined process for requesting project management services from the Project Management Office (PMO). To request PMO support, complete the PMO Request Form in the Faculty and Staff Portal under “Request Support.” Refer to the “How to Start a Project Management Request” guide for assistance. For more info, contact Jetmir Troshani.
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Complete Mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Please log in to Blackboard and complete the Cybersecurity Awareness Training course under the “Organizations” tab. This course covers phishing, spam, and best practices to protect CUNY accounts and sensitive data. Your participation is vital for safeguarding the University’s information. For questions, contact Maritza Acero.
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LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES | |
"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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