"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 LPN Program Ranked #1 in New York State
LaGuardia’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program was just ranked #1 in New York State. This is out of 58 state approved LPN schools from Brooklyn to Buffalo. The rankings were published by PracticalNursing.org, a resource for LPN and licensed vocational nursing (LVN) students. Criteria involved in the ranking included past and present first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates, weighted by year. LaGuardia’s average first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate was 100% last year and as of the third quarter this year remains 100%, while PracticalNursing.org reports the statewide average as 73.6%.
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The need for LPNs is growing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting an 11% increase in LPN jobs through 2028. Congratulations to Phil Gimber, chair of Health Sciences, Faith Armstrong, director of Nursing Programs, and the faculty and staff of LaGuardia’s Nursing Programs: Karren Brown-Liebert, Li Duan, Natalya Fazylova, Shinhi Han, Unn Hidle, Margarita Israilova, Jennifer Langlaise, Kathleen Karsten, Deborah McMillan-Coddington, Lisa O’Donnell, Suzanne Rosenberg, Donna Sergie-Munsey, and Arlene Spinner. | |
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Incarcerated Individuals at Rikers Island Celebrate Earning College Credits Through New LaGuardia Program
Nineteen incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island celebrated earning their first-ever college credits through a new LaGuardia program, at an event at Rikers on Monday, November 6. “We were thrilled to celebrate the first group of incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island to complete a college-level course through our new education program. This marked the first time that men in custody at Rikers’ George R. Vierno Center had access to a course for credit,” said Cory Rowe, Ph.D., associate professor of Criminal Justice at LaGuardia, and director of the LaGuardia–Rikers college credit program. “We hope and expect to host many such celebrations in the future.” The 19 students completed a three-credit course, “First Year Seminar in Criminal Justice,” provided in partnership with the community non-profit College Way, where Dr. Rowe is the lead professor. Ten LaGuardia students known as "Justice Fellows," who were interning with Dr. Rowe through the S.O.A.R. (Succeed, Observe, Achieve, and Rise) Experiential Learning Program, helped to design and teach the course, as well as collect data on the process and outcomes.
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LaGuardia Students Rise to Success at Model UN Conference
Students from LaGuardia Community College/CUNY participated in the 2023 National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference, November 10-12, in Washington, DC. LaGuardia’s student delegation was led by Dr. Anja Vojvodic, Lecturer and Political Science Program Director, and Dr. Lara V. Kattekola, English Professor, both who are also Model United Nations Faculty Advisors. This year's NMUN featured the participation of more than 1,000 students hailing from five different continents.
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Anti-Bullying Week
November 12- 17 is Anti-Bullying Week, a national awareness initiative that fosters an atmosphere of respect and support where bullying is not tolerated. It spans schools, workplaces, and other environments where people interact with each other and emphasizes that everyone should feel safe and valued. You can “Make A Noise” about Anti-Bullying by raising awareness on social media (#AntiBullyingWeek), wearing pink, support victims, organizing activities for anti-bullying, and speak out.
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LaGuardia Community Encouraged to Support CUNY Tuesday
The City University of New York (CUNY) recently launched its university-wide giving campaign, “CUNYTuesday,” which encourages each CUNY college to participate. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are encouraged to show support for the CUNYTuesday by making a donation. LaGuardia uplifts exceptional New Yorkers from all walks of life to better futures in the best city in the world. As a community college that focuses on affordable, two-year academic programs, LaGuardia launches students who would not otherwise be able to access higher education into four-year colleges and the workforce. Visit the CUNYTuesday website to learn about LaGuardia students who are New York’s future!
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Pop-Up Writing Center
Students are invited to visit the Pop-Up Writing Center on Monday, November 20 in the Library, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Writing Center tutors will be on hand to offer on-the-spot feedback about papers or assignments, and give a brief overview of the services available at the Writing Center. Please encourage your students to pop by!
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CUNY Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IRG) Applications Due Monday, November 20 @ 9 a.m.
The 2024 Interdisciplinary Research Grant: Engaged Public Impact Research in Urban Environments program supports collaborative research in the following significant areas: human health, environmental change, artificial intelligence, migration, and ever-changing social organization. Proposals should be interdisciplinary and address urgent scientific and societal challenges through convergent research (transdisciplinary research with societal impact). A minimum of two investigators are required, ideally from different CUNY colleges, schools, or centers, and multi-investigator teams are encouraged. Applications require a signature page with endorsement from the Department Chair and college Grants Officer from each participating institution. If you plan to submit an IRG application, please share your proposal materials with Grants & Sponsored Programs as soon as possible and direct inquiries to Carrie Fox, Director of Grants Development.
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Students Tour Con Edison’s Learning Center
Students from the CUNY Inclusive Economy Careers in Engineering Program and LaGuardia’s President’s Society were welcomed at The Learning Center at Con Edison in Long Island City on November 10th. Students learned about Con Edison’s 200-year history, and what it takes to operate one of the world’s largest energy delivery systems, serving 10 million people. That includes the work of nearly 14,000 employees, including many graduates of CUNY. At the visit, students met with several Con Edison staff members, including Walter Alvarado, vice president of systems and transmission operations; Jessica Ptashenchuk, meteorologist; Sheria Stallings, talent management; Gregory Vayngurt and Richard David, corporate affairs; and Tabitha Rivera, project specialist and LaGuardia alum! A generous corporate partner in the metropolitan area, Con Edison supports the Con Edison Endowed Scholarship Program at LaGuardia, which funds the ACE (Adult & Continuing Education) Workforce Training Scholarships for Cybersecurity at LaGuardia this year.
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Tenure and Promotion Forum: Thursday, November 17 via Zoom
The Faculty Council will host the annual Tenure and Promotion Forum tomorrow, Thursday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom. Questions may be submitted here through the end of the Forum. Speakers are scheduled to include Faculty Council President Rochell Isaac, Professor Tuli Chatterji, Professor Kevin Mark, Humanities Department Chair Vera Albrecht, PSC Grievance Counselor Evelyn Burg, Human Resources Director Marta Clark, and Provost Billie Gastic Rosado, followed by Q&A.
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Faculty Invited to COACHE Focus Groups
The COACHE Committee would like to invite faculty to attend an upcoming focus group, dedicated to the survey.
- Faculty of Color: Thursday, November 16 at 11 a.m. in E-500
- Pre-Tenured Faculty: Thursday, December 7 at 11 a.m. in E-501
- Tenured Faculty: Thursday, December 7 at 2:30 p.m. in E-501
If you are unable to attend, but would like to participate, please email Rochell Isaac and the Committee will attempt to accommodate you (be sure to indicate your desired session). The Committee would also like to thank all faculty that participated in the Viva Engage/Yammer session on November 1st; the robust discussion has highlighted specific themes for further exploration.
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College and Career Connect Seeking Participants
Supported by grants from the Heckscher and Petrie foundations, College and Career Connect (C3) at LaGuardia, through the Center for Teaching and Learning, offers 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 high school graduates the opportunity to take a free three-credit course at LaGuardia during Fall II. The program also includes access to peer mentoring, tutoring, and financial literacy and career readiness programming. Participants will receive a MetroCard to get them to and from campus, as well as a $500 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Prospective students must have not yet enrolled in college or have enrolled previously, earned less than 7 credits, and not currently be enrolled in school. C3 will accept applications until Friday, December 1. Students can apply to C3 and see additional eligibility criteria online. Questions about C3 can be directed to Ellen Quish and David Brandt.
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Volunteers Needed for BLM Summit Committee
Planning for the Black Lives Matter Summit 2024 is getting underway, the only thing the committee is missing is YOU! Volunteer to join this year’s committee to assist with planning and organizing the 9th Annual Black Lives Matter Summit, taking place in April 2024. Meetings are starting soon and will take place on Zoom; if you are interested in joining the committee or have questions, please email Rachel Romain (rcharles@lagcc.cuny.edu).
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Mental Health Peer Specialist Training Program: Recruiting Now
LaGuardia’s Mental Health Peer Specialist Training Program is an eight-month workforce training program that prepares participants to work in the peer support sector. Participants will learn the fundamentals of peer support, develop key digital skills, receive support, earning the NYS peer specialist certification, participate in internships with employer partners, and receive job placement assistance. The program can serve as a bridge to full time employment for those who are in active recovery from mental health challenges. Learn more.
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Women’s Basketball
- Nov. 16, 6 p.m. vs. Nassau Community College
- Nov. 18, 1 p.m. at Suffolk Community College
- Nov. 21, 6 p.m. vs. Hostos Community College
- Dec. 2, 12 p.m. at Ulster Community College
- Dec. 5, 6 p.m. vs. Queensborough Community College
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Men’s Basketball
- Nov. 16, 8 p.m. vs. Nassau Community College
- Nov. 18, 3 p.m. at Suffolk Community College
- Nov. 21, 8 p.m. vs. Hostos Community College
- Dec. 2, 2 p.m. at Ulster Community College
- Dec. 5, 8 p.m. vs. Queensborough Community College
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library:
- NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) has started and the Library is hosting writing sessions! Join us on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 2-4, to work on your latest writing project. Check here for more information.
- 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 last MoneyBoss workshop of the Fall I semester, A Student’s Guide to Credit, will be presented by Professor Andrea Francis. It will be in person in E-111. Please register here.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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Open Enrollment for Active Employees and Retirees: November 1-30
If you’re looking to change health insurance plans, add a dependent, or drop a health insurance plan, now is the time to do so: Open enrollment lasts through November 30. This is the one time during the year when you can change your benefit elections and add or remove dependents for health, dental, and vision plans without a qualifying life event.
If you have any questions about open enrollment, please reach out to Bonnie Brown at bbrown@lagcc.cuny.edu or Bryan Park at bparks@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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Cybersecurity Training
Given the rapidly increasing threats to our cybersecurity, the City University of New York 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 CUNY Faculty & Staff. This course covers various 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 active employees at LaGuardia Community College are strongly encouraged to take this course 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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Thanksgiving Week: Paper Check Distribution on Weds., Nov. 22
The Payroll Office will be distributing paper checks dated November 24, 2023 on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 from 3 to 5 p.m. in room E402. If you can’t pick up your check during this time, you can pick up your check the following week, Monday, November 27 through Friday, December 1, from 9 AM to 5 PM. No appointment is necessary. Paper checks not picked up will be returned to the City Monthly.
This distribution is for employees not enrolled in Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit paystubs are accessible to view and print by using NYCAPS ESS-Employee Self Service. If you need help or have any questions, please contact the LaGuardia Payroll Office at payroll@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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CUNY IT Conference November 30 – December 1 – Register Now
CUNY invites you to attend the 22nd annual CUNY IT Conference at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, November 30– December 1. This year’s enlightening and timely theme is "Us and IT. CUNY in the Age of Generative AI." Registration is free. Don't miss this chance to gain fresh perspectives and connect with colleagues regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence – register early and block off your calendar for November 30 – December 1. If you need assistance registering or have any questions, please contact Jeremy Smith.
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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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