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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.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

On Wednesday, June 19th, we will observe the annual celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It is a day of celebration, education, and contemplation about the Black/African American experience in the US.

 

Newly freed enslaved people chose Juneteenth - the combination of June and 19 - as the day to honor and celebrate their freedom. It was the date in 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger and Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished. 

 

On this day, we encourage everyone to pause— to reflect on and learn about the experiences of our Black/African American faculty, staff, and students. Solving social and racial inequities will not happen overnight. We must continue to support the critical work to eliminate anti-Black and racist policies, structures, and rhetoric. 

 

LaGuardia Community College is committed to advancing equity and racial and social justice through education. Together we must uphold LaGuardia’s mission and core values by encouraging open dialogue and the dismantling of systemic policies and actions as we continue to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive campus environment. 


Sincerely, Kenneth Adams President


NEWS

LaGuardia Community College Celebrates More Than 2,000 Graduates at 52nd Commencement on Friday, June 21  

Sunshine is predicted for Friday, June 21, when the nearly 2,000 members of LaGuardia’s Class of 2024 will celebrate earning their associate degrees or certificates at the college’s 52nd Commencement on the quad of the Queens College campus. President Kenneth Adams and Dr. Billie Gastic Rosado, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs will be leading the ceremony. As Grand Marshal, Dr. Sultan Jenkins, Professor of Biological Sciences, will carry the college’s mace during the processional and give welcoming remarks. Speakers will include Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. The Class of 2024 will be represented by Amena Shamia, a Biology major and 2024 Goldwater Scholar (above left), and Carolina Lenes Arreola, a Business Administration major (above right). Special guests will include Kevin D. Kim, Esq., CUNY Trustee, Héctor Batista, CUNY Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Denise B. Maybank, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. Here’s to the Class of 2024! 

Strategic Planning Update

As we come to the close of Spring I we are hitting the pause button on our Strategic Planning process. The Strategic Planning Committee will reconvene in the Fall, solicit additional input for the completion of the eight Pillars of Student Success, and finalize the 2029 Strategic Plan. Note that we are drafting our new Strategic Plan mindful of many important inputs and considerations, including:

 

  • Student Experience Survey (the results of which you can find here and the presentation and discussion of which you can find in the student panel discussion of the Forum)
  • Employee Engagement Survey (the findings of which will be released this summer)
  • COACHE Survey
  • Strategic Planning Committee community surveys around Student Support, Career Success and Social & Economic Mobility, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Facilities and Resources and Community Engagement
  • Middle States & NISS recommendations
  • CUNY Lifting New York and Camino Project mandates
  • Primary research interviews with Community Based Organizations, alumni, staff and faculty
  • Panel discussions on Teaching & Learning, Best Practice Onboarding & Orientation using the Pathways model and Career Success (taking place today, June 18th at 2:30 pm – link here)

 

Big thanks to all of you who volunteered this semester to get the process started. We look forward to reconnecting with you in September. Please stay tuned for updates and next steps on the Strategic Planning website.

LaGuardia Hosts RN Pinning Ceremony June 17

LaGuardia Community College celebrated the 42 graduates from the Registered Nurse Program with a pinning ceremony on June 17 in the Main Stage Theater. Special remarks were presented by Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia; Dr. Billie Gastic Rosado, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Alexis J. McLean, Vice President of Student Affairs; Dr. Philip Gimber, Chairperson of the Health Sciences Department; and Faith Armstrong, Professor and Director of the Nursing Program. Keynote Speaker was Ivelisse Guevara, FNP-BC, RN, a LaGuardia alumna from the Class of 2010. During the ceremony, graduates participated in a candle lighting and pinning ceremony and watched a video highlighting student memories from their time at LaGuardia. 

LaGuardia Students Recognized at Annual Peter Jennings Scholarship and Continuation Awards Ceremony 

On June 13, the 21st Annual Peter Jennings Scholarship and Continuation Award Ceremony was presented at the central offices of the City University of New York. The Peter Jennings Laurel Award Scholarship was established in 2003 to honor a small group of talented and ambitious CUNY High School Equivalency (HSE) graduates to help defray the costs of higher education. The scholarship is named for Peter Jennings, renowned journalist and anchor of ABC World News Tonight, who was himself a high school dropout. Mr. Jennings often spoke with admiration of the achievements of the Laurel Award recipients each year until his death in 2005. His wife, Kayce Freed Jennings continues to participate in the annual ceremony, recognizing the life stories of the recipients and their promise for successful college study and future careers. Students from LaGuardia Community College were recognized along with students from other CUNY schools. Scholarship Recipients included Parves Ahmed, Taniesha Eccleston, and Carolina Lapiz, all current LaGuardia students who participated in the Adult Basic Skills Program. A 2024 Continuation Award was presented to Karma Gurung, a current LaGuardia student who also participated in the Adult Basic Skills Program. For more than 30 years, CUNY has provided HSE Preparation Programs at 14 of its campuses offering a crucial pathway into higher education and employment for thousands of underserved New York City residents. The Laurel Award Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship to HSE graduates who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their educational goals by earning an HSE diploma and who will enroll or re-enroll at CUNY the following fall. 

LaGuardia is Named NFEF Foodservice Education Innovator of the Year 

Last week, Dr. Nicolle Fernandes, professor of Nutrition and Culinary Management, accepted the Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation (NFEF) Foodservice Education Innovator of the Year Award on behalf of LaGuardia Community College. The award ceremony took place at the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) annual conference and expo in Reno, Nevada. NFEF is the philanthropic arm of the ANFP. The Foodservice Education Innovator award is given annually to an institution offering unique training or education initiatives. According to Dr. Fernandes, “This award is based on a grant we received from a Health Careers Credentials (HC2) grant awarded to Patricia Boyce, CUNY’s University Dean for Health and Human Services (HHS), from the New York City Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, Young Men’s Initiative.” In 2023, LaGuardia received $25,000 to provide ANFP’s Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) training. This grant, to the Nutrition and Culinary Management Program, was one of three HC2 awards given to LaGuardia’s Health Sciences Department. Following the six-month CDM training program, 13 students and 3 faculty members passed the national CDM credentialing exam on the first try.  

Journalism Student Ayumi Sugiura Receives Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship 

Through LaGuardia’s ongoing relationship with the Pulitzer Center, LaGuardia Journalism student Ayumi Sugiura has been selected for a 2024 Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium Reporting Fellowship. She will receive a $3,000 grant to travel to Japan this summer to report and write a long-form feature. Ayumi’s project, titled, “Do Japan's Excessive School Rules Take Away Students' Right to Education?” focuses on the impact of strict school policies and the resistance from youth. The topic is particularly significant to Ayumi, a Japanese native who moved to the U.S. in 2023 to study journalism. Ayumi reports that Japanese schools often have rigid rules of dress and appearance. “The rationale is that if students are trained early to conform and obey, they will not assert their independence or distinct identities. This will make them suitable white-collar employees, who will not stray and will be dedicated to serving rules and regulations,” said Ayumi. “But as the country modernizes, there is tension between young adults and the education system. I hope that the articles I write will help people overseas learn about and discuss topics related to gender in Japan.” 

LaGuardia Veterinary Technology Program Hosts Pinning Ceremony, June 20

LaGuardia students graduating from the Veterinary Technology Program will be honored with a pinning ceremony at 11 a.m., June 20, in the lobby of the C-Building. The class speech will be presented by Michaela Escarcega, Veterinary Technology Club President. Dr. Tara Scales, DVM, Professor in the Veterinary Technology Program will present the Natalie Dono Scholarships, and Dr. Michelle Lugones, DVM, Director of the Veterinary Technology Program will present the congratulatory speech to graduates. The 2024 graduates include: Daisy Agosto, Stephanie Alachan, Alexis Boaze, Maria Cardenas, Maegan Carrera, Ayslin Cartagena, Natalie Dono, Michaela Escarcega, Anastasiya Gofman, Katherine Gomez, Elizabeth Hudman, Mariana Jaramillo-Puerta, Valeria Jimenez, Nicole Lesko, Vanessa Lopez Olivera, Benjamin Maher, Catherine Martinez, Imani Mills, Favi Olmedo, Gabriela Ortiz, Graciela Palacios, Rebecca Patis, Andrea Piedrahita, Victoria Profitt, Chandira Ramnandan, Brianna Rivera, Johana Rojas, Lisa Starr, Akane Tsuji, Marisol Vazquez, Max Wenger-Schulman, and Elizabeth Zenteno

ANNOUNCEMENTS

June: Religious and Ethnic Holidays and Observances

LaGuardia subscribes to 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 ethnic observances recognized in our community throughout the month of June: 


  • June 11- 13: Shavout
  • June 14: Flag Day
  • June 16- 20: Eid al-Adha
  • June 19: Juneteenth (college closed)


For a full listing of holidays and observations celebrated this month and throughout the year, please visit the CUNY Religions & Ethnic Holiday Calendar

Early Voting for Election/Assembly District 014/37 in Poolside Café

LaGuardia Community College is once again serving as a polling site for early voting for Election/Assembly District 014/37. Votes can be cast through June 23 in the Poolside Café. Hours for early voting at LaGuardia include:


  • Tuesday, June 18: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 19: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 20: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, June 21: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


To find an early voting site or Election Day polling site near your residence, use the New York City Board of Elections Find My Poll Site lookup tool. In addition to hosting poll sites, CUNY has been promoting student voter registration and participation through its non-partisan CUNY Votes initiative

Save the Dates: Upcoming Events on the LaGuardia Community Greenway

There’s plenty of fun programming coming up this summer on the LaGuardia Community Greenway. Here are just a few upcoming events to keep an eye out for:


  • July 17: Summer Youth Art Expo
  • July 25: Summer Safe
  • August 7: BBQ on The Greenway


For the full line-up of events planned, visit the LaGuardia Community Greenway webpage. Campus or community groups who wish to table and participate during the Greenway events can contact Nayelli Valencia Turrent, Chief of Staff at nvalenciaturrent@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Navigate Launches July 9


Navigate is a student, faculty and staff portal that is replacing the student My LaGuardia portal. Its features will connect members of the college community through appointments, shared notes, communications features, and much more.  


Important Dates: 


  • June 27: Last day of student access to current My LaGuardia portal; last day to book an appointment through My LaGuardia  
  • June 28- July 8: My LaGuardia deactivated; students should contact advisors via email or utilize drop-in hours. 
  • July 9: Navigate is live. Students can access the system to make appointments or check-in to offices. 
  • August 16: C2C deactivated. Faculty must utilize Navigate to issue alerts or to communicate with students in their courses. 
  • September 5: Navigate is fully operational. 


Please visit our Navigate webpage to learn more about this important transition and to register for an upcoming training.  

Blackboard Home Dashboard Update - Transition to Brightspace 


As we prepare to transition to Brightspace in the Fall of 2025, please take note of an important update to our current LMS, Blackboard. On June 29, the interface of the home dashboard will be updated: the landing page will look different when you log in, but the system functionality will remain the same. To preview these changes, please review this guide


  • For support to help students navigate the new homepage, contact a Student Technology Mentor at stm@lagcc.cuny.edu. 
  • For technical support, contact the Blackboard Help Desk at BlackboardSupport@lagcc.cuny.edu. 


LaGuardia will begin using Brightspace in the Fall of 2025 (Blackboard will no longer be available). To learn more about our transition to this new LMS, visit https://www.laguardia.edu/brightspace.  

Fall 2024 Opening Sessions: Call for Presentations 


Mark your calendars! Opening Sessions 2024, Career Readiness & Pathways: Guiding Students Towards Success in Education and Beyond, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4. Similar to last year, Opening Sessions will be in-person. Please consider submitting a proposal for a 50-minute presentation connected to the theme. The deadline to submit your proposal is July 15. Please contact Jasmine Edwards at jaedwards@lagcc.cuny.edu and Cristina Natale at cnatale@lagcc.cuny.edu with any questions. 

The Multicultural Exchange is Hiring!


The Black Male Empowerment Cooperative (BMEC) and CREAR Futuros (College Readiness, Achievement and Retention) programs within LaGuardia's Multicultural Exchange are both hiring peer mentors for the 2024-2025 academic year. All students that have earned a minimum of 21 credits and maintain a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply. Please share the application details with your students. Applications are due July 12.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

LaGuardia Welcomes New Executive Director of Human Resources 

Mary C. DiGangi has officially joined LaGuardia Community College as its new Executive Director of Human Resources, as of June 3. Mary is a human resources professional with over 25 years of experience leading human resources teams in providing services to employees in healthcare organizations. Mary will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic human resource goals and objectives to improve customer service and organizational effectiveness, aligning those goals with the overall College strategic plan and mission. Reporting to Shahir Erfan, the Sr. Vice President for Administration and Finance, Mary will lead and manage the College's human resources department in accordance with CUNY policies, procedures, and practices and in compliance with all applicable laws.

New York Yankees Educators Appreciation Week — June 18-22 


The New York Yankees are honoring all educators and their families/friends during their annual Educator’s Appreciation week! Every ticket purchased for any of the games on June 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 through this offer comes with a choice of either an exclusive Yankees lunch bag or tumbler cup co-branded with the Yankees’ Teacher Appreciation logo. $15 meal vouchers valid at any standing concession stand will also be included for the June 18, 19 and 20 games. For more info and to see all current offers, click here. For groups of 10 or more, suites, or season ticket packages please reach out to Ben Powell at (646) 977-8472. 

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Now Available: Volume 6 of Asian American Voices

The college-wide journal, Asian American Voices, is available digitally in its sixth edition. This publication is coordinated annually by the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration Committee and showcases Asia-related works by LaGuardia students, including papers, creative writing, recipes, and artwork.


Many thanks and congratulations to the Editorial Committee faculty: Malgorzata Marciniak (editor in chief), Anita Baksh, Tameka Battle, Tuli Chatterji, Richa Gupta, Tomonori Nagano, and Dana Trusso.

LaGuardia Hosts CUNY Research Scholars Program Symposium, June 24

LaGuardia Community College will be hosting The CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP) Symposium for the second year on June 24. The event, which includes poster presentations and an awards presentation, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June 24, on the LaGuardia Campus. Keynote address will be presented by Jaweria Bakar, CRSP alumna from Kingsborough Community College and a graduate of Yale University. Other speakers include Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Rosemarie Wesson, LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Billie Gastic Rosado. The CRSP funds year-long research experiences for associate degree students at all seven CUNY community colleges and three comprehensive schools. The goal of the program is to encourage undergraduate participation in authentic research and to increase persistence in STEM disciplines. RSVP here.

LaGuardia Hosts Industrial Design Showcase 

On June 13, LaGuardia Community College hosted an Industrial Design Showcase in room E-111, featuring designs created by LaGuardia students. From innovative prototypes to cutting-edge concepts, the student showcase offered a glimpse into the future of design. LaGuardia’s Industrial Design program is a combination of applied art and applied science, whereby aesthetics, ergonomics and usability of manufactured products may be improved for marketability and production. 

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Thursday for Enrollment Assistance

Students looking for enrollment services support can now access virtual office hours every Thursday 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 Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services, Student Information Center, Transfer Credit Evaluation and Testing offices.  

CONTINUING EDUCATION

TELC Hosts World Cup Pick Up Tournament 

On June 12, The English Language Center (TELC) at LaGuardia hosted its annual World Cup Pick Up Tournament. This tradition, started in 2014, when there was so much energy and excitement around the Brazil World Cup. “We decided to run a spring game and call it the TELC World Cup,” said Elizabeth Iannotti, Director of TELC.  “That year, 70 students came and there were teachers and staff who also played. It was so fun we decided to do it every spring.” Since then, TELC has since been scheduling a soccer game for TELC students each Spring. “There are no winners or losers. It’s just fun pick-up games,” Elizabeth said. “We usually play at McCarren but also did a few years at the Upper90 rooftop field in Astoria and one game in East River Park against Baruch. We’re already planning for student recruitment for next spring…or possibly this fall.” 

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library

  • The Library will be open reduced hours, from 9 a.m. - 4:40 p.m., on June 18. We will be closed for the holiday on June 19. We will resume Spring II semester hours on June 20, opening at 8 a.m. Please make sure to check our calendar before heading in. 
  • Not sure what to read for fun next? Let the LaGuardia Librarians make some recommendations (for you or your child). Complete this form and a LaGuardia librarian will email you a list of five titles (from our collection, and within CUNY and SUNY) we think you might enjoy borrowing and reading. 

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Tinky Winky in the Archives

This plushie Tinky Winky is an artifact in our LGBTQ collection. Why do we have a stuffed children's TV show character in our archive? It's not even the only Tinky Winky we own! Well, this toy was donated to us by former New York City Councilmember Danny Dromm, and represents a viewpoint that he finds quite amusing. In 1999, famous televangelist Rev. Jerry Fallwell was convinced that Tinky Winky was gay because he was purple, had a triangle on his head and carried a purse! Following Fallwell's accusations, the queer community rallied around Tinky Winky. Fallwell's attack generated widespread media coverage and actually led to an increase in Tinky Winky doll sales!


You can learn more about Danny Dromm's "gay toys" in the Archives' Daniel Dromm Collection.

Tinky Winky

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IT Update: Mandatory CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness Training Course

 

CUNY has announced that the 40-minute Cybersecurity Awareness training course, designed specifically for faculty and staff, is now mandatory annually, beginning this year. This course will help safeguard the security of our data against increasing cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, spam, and hacked accounts, while providing best practices for safeguarding your data. You can view the course on Blackboard. All LaGuardia faculty and staff are required to take this course and we encourage you to take it as soon as possible to protect your own and the University's data. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Maritza Acero.

Security Alert: Guard Against Increasing Phishing Email Attacks  


There has been an increase in phishing attacks directed at CUNY from a variety of Gmail accounts. Most are of the familiar job scam variety which students are prone to acting on. CUNY/CIS teams are working with Microsoft to block these attacks, which are not “spammy” or “phishy” in nature so they aren’t automatically blocked by email security measures. CUNY/CIS urges all to guard against responding to potential phishing emails, as well as to communicate with colleagues and students to generate greater awareness about the scam increase. 


Recommended User Actions Include: 


  • DO NOT reply to unexpected or unusual emails. 
  • DO NOT reply to emails with personal information or passwords. 
  • DO NOT click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.  
  • DO read the CUNY Ransomware and Phishing Advisories.  
  • DO complete security awareness training at security.cuny.edu


If you suspect you’ve received a suspicious or phishing email, please forward it to spam@lagcc.cuny.edu. Do not forward it to the LAG Information Technology Division or other group distribution lists or employees, including IT personnel. If you already responded to a phishing email, immediately contact our IT HelpDesk by submitting a ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal or by email at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu, or call 718-482-6134. If you have questions, please contact LaGuardia's Information Security team

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

NYC GAZETTE: Launched in 2012 at LaGuardia Community College, the CUNY Fatherhood Academy offers young fathers access to education, employment, and professional development. Two recent Fatherhood graduates are Tyshawn Washington, who earned a degree in accounting from LaGuardia and will begin classes toward a bachelor’s degree at Baruch College this fall, and Christian Ortiz, who earned his bachelor’s in writing and literature from Hunter College after graduating from LaGuardia. 


DIVERSE: ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: The CUNY Fatherhood Academy has supported 1,400 fathers, ages 18-30, since its 2012 launch at LaGuardia Community College. It has since expanded to Hostos Community College and Kingsborough Community College. Quotes Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. The academy is a free program, funded by the New York City Young Men’s Initiative.


QNS: The seventh annual Pridefest, which took place on Friday, June 7, recognized and celebrated diversity and inclusion in the World’s Borough. Support from the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, in partnership with LaGuardia Community College and other local institutions, made the event possible. Pridefest was sponsored, in-part, by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. 

EVENTS

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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.