"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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Con Edison Grant Enables LaGuardia to Train New York’s Next Clean Energy Workforce
As part of its ongoing commitment to usher in New York’s clean energy transition, Con Edison recently granted awards totaling more than $4 million to four New York nonprofit organizations, which included LaGuardia. The announcement was shared on February 29 at the Con Edison Learning Center in Long Island City. The selected organizations will train more than 1,200 participants from underserved communities for careers in clean energy and technology fields over the next three years. LaGuardia Community College, in partnership with Urban Upbound and Building Skills NY, will recruit from low-income communities of color, including public housing residents from Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Houses, to train job seekers as solar installation technicians and electrical helpers, and connect them to a range of clean energy jobs. In addition, with the help of Con Edison volunteer mentors, the program will provide retention services and financial counseling to graduates for one year to help participants succeed and advance their careers over time. “With support from Con Edison, training and supporting individuals from communities that have borne the brunt of environmental and economic injustice, such as public housing residents in Long Island City and Astoria, will lead to both the economic empowerment of these communities and improved quality of life for workers and their families,” said President Kenneth Adams.
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LaGuardia Theater Students Earn Accolades at KCACTF Region 1
Twenty LaGuardia Theater students traveled to Central Connecticut State University where Region 1 of the 2024 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) took place from January 30 through February 3. LaGuardia students showcased their acting and directing skills in individual events and vied for arts leadership scholarships with students from two- and four-year colleges in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Congratulations to the three LaGuardia students who advanced or won awards at the festival: Jaden Fabio, Michael Hernandez, and Juan Rubio, who will go to Washington, D.C. this April for the 2024 American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center. The students also put on a performance of the Theater Program’s fall production of Everybody, directed by Professor James Ryan (J.R.) Caldwell. Everybody was one of five invited productions at the festival.
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President Adams Joins LaGuardia Faculty and Staff for Special Tour of The Noguchi Museum
Last week, 30 faculty, staff, and students joined President Adams for a private tour of the Noguchi Museum. Isamu Noguchi was a highly renowned artist, celebrated for his work that reflects his Japanese-American heritage and his international experiences in the early 20th century. His art was profoundly shaped by his mixed-race background and complex self-identity. The Noguchi Museum is located in Astoria, not far from our campus, and serves as a space for reflection, learning, and experiencing his vision. The museum was intended not just as a repository for Noguchi's work but also as a living resource that continues to inspire and educate the local community. The event marked the kickoff of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration set to take place at LaGuardia this spring. Those interested in incorporating the Noguchi Museum into their classes should contact the AAPI Heritage Month Committee.
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Queens-CUNY Legislative Breakfast Welcomes Elected Leaders and University Administrators | | |
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On February 29, Queens College hosted the Queens CUNY Legislative Breakfast. Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College attended along with other Queens College Presidents and CUNY Central staff including Glenda Grace, Senior Vice Chancellor; Jeff Rodus, Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs; Mohamed Attala, Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction and Management; and Catherine Abata, University Executive Budget Director. The meeting focused on current and pending capital projects at each Queens CUNY campus and a discussion about campus facilities and budgetary issues. | |
CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference Scheduled March 22 at College of Staten Island | | |
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The third annual CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference will be held March 22 at the College of Staten Island. The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council invites all CUNY students to this special all-day event that brings together LGBTQI+ students from across CUNY interested in learning more about leadership and creating change on our campuses and broader communities. The conference encompasses workshops, a keynote address, refreshments, a resource fair, and most importantly, bringing together queer and trans students, faculty, staff, alumni, and allies. This event is free, and students can register here. | |
The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is Blair Imani. The first 200 attendees will receive a free copy of her book, Read This to Get Smarter. Blair Imani is a critically acclaimed historian, author, educator, and influencer. Her scholarship spans the subjects of intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. The conference begins with check-in and breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Imani's keynote speech begins at 11 a.m. Buses will transport students from the CUNY School of Law (2 Ct Square W., Long Island City, NY 11101) and back. To arrange bus transportation, please RSVP as early as possible. This event is funded from the New York City Council Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Caucus and the Office of the Mayor, and supported by The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. | | |
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Casa de las Américas hosted its open house on March 6, welcoming students to the LaGuardia campus. LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams stopped by to visit with the staff including: Co-directors Dr. Ingrid Veras and Dr. Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez and Stefania Gonzalez, office manager. | |
1LaGuardia: Raise Your Voice, Respect Each Other | | |
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LaGuardia’s Office of Compliance and Diversity educates and develops a workforce that embraces cultural competence, intersectionality, and aids in ensuring compliance with Federal, State, City, and CUNY Policies on Sexual Misconduct and Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination. LaGuardia encourages a positive and welcoming environment free from harassment and discrimination of any kind. Learn about:
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LaGuardia is celebrating Women’s History Month with “HERStory in the Making,” a series of events highlighting the historical and continued contributions and achievements of women, and all those who fight for women’s rights. Programming focuses on the doers and changemakers at the forefront of political, artistic, and educational advancement. Events kick off on Friday, March 8. Learn more and add events to your calendar here. | |
Lunch with President Adams: Register Today | | |
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Faculty and staff are invited to RSVP for Lunch with President Kenneth Adams, as part of an on-going series of meet ups with the community. There is no formal agenda, just a chance to catch up and share your LaGuardia story with the President. See details and register here. | |
College Gears Up for Strategic Planning, Welcomes Kimberly Wright as Facilitator | | |
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LaGuardia Community College is gearing up to begin its strategic planning process! Kimberly Wright has signed on as the Facilitator of the planning process for the college’s next five-year Strategic Plan. Kimberly is an experienced strategic consultant and project manager, who, mid-career, came to LaGuardia to enroll in the ACE Division’s Data Analytics program. After completing her certifications, she stayed on, working as a student support specialist. Kimberly is currently recruiting volunteers for the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, mapping out workgroups, subcommittees, and timelines, and gathering the baseline data needed to get started. The strategic planning events to come will be your chance to participate in the process. Let us know how we can become the best community college in the nation! Kimberly will be creating a “suggestions box” where members of the college community can share their ideas. Updates and details will be shared in future issues of “Campus Update.”
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LaGuardia to Host Community-Based Learning Organization Fair and Panel on March 18 | | |
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Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the Community-Based Learning Organization Fair and Panel taking place in the E-Atrium on March 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development during an informative panel discussion on the importance of community development and the impact of youth involvement. Representatives will also be stationed at tables so you can meet with experts on community-based learning and explore opportunities to get involved. Those interested in attending can RSVP here. | |
Register to Participate, Volunteer, or Present at LaGuardia’s First Career Success Summit | | |
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LaGuardia’s Career Success Fellows will lead the school's first Career Success Summit this May. The two-day summit, taking place May 8 and May 16, will consist of several panels and sessions for faculty, staff, and alumni to share career readiness resources with LaGuardia students and open up a dialogue about career success. If you are interested in helping out with the event, either as a volunteer, presenter, or participant, fill out this registration form. | |
Professional Headshots for Faculty and Staff | | |
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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! The Photo Days are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room E-509. Book your timeslot here for one of the following dates:
- Wednesday, March 13
- Wednesday, April 10
- Wednesday, May 15
- Wednesday, June 12
For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471.
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LaGuardia CARES Clothing Drive Continues | | |
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LaGuardia's clothing drive to benefit new New Yorkers continues through March 18. New and gently used clothing items in all sizes can be dropped off at LaGuardia CARES in C-316, Monday though Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | | |
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Historian Robin D. G. Kelley, a Distinguished Professor and the Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA, will deliver the 13th Annual Robert Fitch Memorial Lecture on Monday, March 18, 1–2 p.m. in the Little Theater. The annual lecture is presented by the Social Sciences Department in honor of Dr. Robert Fitch, who taught in the department from 1993 to 2011. In his talk titled, “Working Class Democracy and the Question of Palestine,” Dr. Kelley will discuss how Robert Fitch’s critique of American “union democracy” as well as his work on international labor solidarity can help us understand the current divisions within U.S. organized labor over the question of Palestine. To attend in-person, click here to RSVP (no cost). The lecture will be livestreamed on YouTube. | |
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President Adams Testifies at NYC Council Queens Delegation Budget Hearing
On February 23, President Kenneth Adams testified during the NYC Council Queens Delegation Budget Hearing and highlighted key initiatives happening on campus including essential English Language Learner classes we are offering asylum seekers. He also stressed the need for city funding to support the aging infrastructure on campus and shared with Council Members the College's capital priority projects.
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Councilmember Nantasha Williams Visits LaGuardia Archives
On February 22, NYC Councilmember Nantasha Williams stopped by LaGuardia Community College to take a tour of the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. Council Member Williams is the representative for Council District 27 in Southeast Queens and its communities of Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, Addisleigh Park, and Springfield Gardens. During her visit, she met with Archives staff and explored historical documents and photos highlighting past Queens City Councils and the explored the “Making It Here: Women in New York City Politics” website, created by students, faculty and staff.
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LaGuardia Attends the Queens Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Fair | | |
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On Wednesday, February 28, LaGuardia’s External Affairs team took part in a free multilingual event organized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of numerous city departments, academic institutions, civic associations, and service providers convened to offer free information to New Yorkers, enabling people to better understand their rights and the tools at their disposal to make informed decisions.
Pictured: Luda Spajic (External Affairs) with Kyle McDaniel (Queens Chamber of Commerce)
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LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES | |
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St. Pat’s for All Parade Held in Queens
On Sunday, the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium marched in the annual St. Pat’s for All parade in Sunnyside and Woodside, Queens. Founded in 2000 in response to the exclusion of LGBTQ groups at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan, St. Pat’s for All evolved into an inclusive festival, reflecting the multiethnic tapestry of Queens. Parade co-founder and activist Brendan Fay met with CUNY students and discussed the defiant spirit of St. Pat’s for All. Students learned that the parade stood above all for diversity and pride, as they heard delegations call for a ceasefire in Gaza and draw attention to other contemporary issues. The slogan of St. Pat’s for All came from the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916: "Cherishing all the children of the nation equally." Fay remarked, “I want our city, our society, our churches, our mosques, our synagogues to be a place where everyone can flourish." CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium members also march in pride parades in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, coming together as a queer community to promote visibility and raise awareness about matters on their respective campuses.
Pictured: St. Pat's for All co-founder Brendan Fay, center, poses with CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium members at the parade.
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Archives Fellows Convene for Workshop with LGBTQ+ Activist Kevin Uhrin
LaGuardia and Wagner Archives are delighted to share highlights from their recent workshop. The event was graciously welcomed by Dr. Allie Brashears, Director of the CUNY LGBTQ+ Consortium and LGBTQ+ programs at the Archives, and featured Professor Poppy Slocum, who moderated the workshop which included an insightful overview presented by Kevin Uhrin, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist in NYC. Uhrin provided students with an understanding of life before the New York City Gay Civil Rights Bill. Uhrin, who fondly remembered fellow LGBTQ+ activists lost during the AIDS crisis and the Act Up movement, emphasized that despite achieving some human rights milestones, the current situation may not necessarily be better than in the past decades when kinship issues were prevalent. Following Uhrin’s talk, the floor was opened for Q&A. Student groups then delivered brief presentations about their ongoing projects: education fellows who are working on Gay Rights Bill of 1986 for an education curriculum; film fellows working on a short documentary on the history of LGBTQ+ in Queens; mapping fellows developing a map of LGBTQ+ places in NYC; and photography fellows documenting different aspects of queer spaces in New York.
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CUNY Recognizes Faculty for Achievement in Teaching
The CUNY Office of Academic Affairs is honoring full-time and part-time faculty who have received awards related to teaching and learning at each of the CUNY campuses in the past year (or the last year your campus presented these awards). There will be a special luncheon at the upcoming CUNY Teaching and Learning Conference, scheduled on March 22 at the Graduate Center, to recognize these recipients. LaGuardia faculty who received pedagogy-related awards and will be recognized are pictured above, from left to right: Howard Motoike, Professor, Natural Sciences Department; Olga Calderόn, Professor, Natural Sciences Department; Clarence Chan, Professor, Health Science Department.
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Public Notice of Upcoming Accreditation Review Visit by ACEN | | |
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LaGuardia Community College will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its Registered Nursing Program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in-person at a meeting scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in E-322 of the E-Building located at 31-10 Thomson Avenue Long Island City, NY. | |
Writing Center Tutoring Will Resume March 12 | | |
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Tutoring in the Writing Center will resume on March 12. Please let your students know that appointments are no longer needed to receive tutoring (however, appointments can still be scheduled through My LaGuardia if desired). Students can visit the Writing Center in sunny B-200 for walk-in sessions Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. & from 4:35 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Writing Center also offers virtual sessions on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Click here for more information about Writing Center tutoring or direct any inquiries to WCLab@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5688. | |
Music Recording Technology Students Hit the Studio | | |
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Last semester Music Recording Technology students, led by faculty members Kia Eshghi and Mark Brooks, visited Edge Voiceover Studio in Manhattan. While there, students from HUX112, Post Production Audio, had the opportunity to record and edit a promotional clip that they made about LaGuardia. | |
Save the Date: Faculty Book Adoption Trainings on March 13 and April 11 | | |
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There will be two CUNY-wide faculty adoption training webinars for faculty to learn how to navigate the new online bookstore portal. These 20-minute sessions will enhance your understanding of the adoption process and ensure that you can efficiently communicate essential textbook information to your students. Use the links below to access the training sessions:
Both sessions will cover the same material, so you only need to attend one.
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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 Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services and Testing offices. | |
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Campus Life Hosts Welcome Back Breakfast
The Division of Student Affairs welcomed new and returning students to the Spring 2024 semester with a complimentary breakfast. Check out the latest events and activities on our calendar.
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Updates from LaGuardia’s Library | | |
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- Group Study Rooms for students are open! Students may reserve a room here.
- New for Spring 2024: CUNY/SUNY resource sharing! CUNY’s Office of Library Services and the Office of Library and Information Services at SUNY are collaborating on a project to share physical resources through the Alma Library Services Platform. Patron requests that initiate in OneSearch may be filled by a library in either CUNY or SUNY. Students, faculty, and staff across CUNY will benefit from faster and more convenient access to the wealth of physical information resources shared by our systems. We are leveraging the systems and services we already have to provide additional access to physical content at no additional cost.
- CUNY library patrons now enjoy longer loan periods. Initial loan periods for general loans are increasing to 16 weeks (up from 8 weeks), with the option to renew material for a maximum loan length of 48 weeks.
- As always, all CUNY users are welcome at any CUNY library! Now that eduroam WiFi access has been implemented across the university, libraries are an even better place to study close to home, work or class.
- The 2024 theme for Black History Month was “African Americans and the Arts.” The LaGuardia Library joins this celebration with an exhibit that highlights the visual and performing arts, fashion, film, music and other forms of Black/African American cultural expressions. We extend an open invitation to everyone to visit this exhibit outside the Library entrance and join in this celebration.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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CUNY Paid Family Leave (PFL): How Does It Work?
New York State Paid Family Leave Benefits (PFL) are available for certain Classified Staff Titles and PSC members through Collective Bargaining Agreements. PFL is an employee-funded insurance policy that provides job protected, paid time-off to:
- Bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child
- Care for a family member with a serious health condition
- Assist loved ones when a family member is deployed in a foreign country on active military service
Eligible employees who work at Community Colleges (and on New York City Payroll) are covered under New York City’s Paid Family Leave Insurance Policy, provided by MetLife. Employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of PFL and 67% of their weekly gross wages. Visit CUNY’s NYSPFL for more information.
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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.
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Your Input is Needed! Complete the Professional Development Survey Today!
Human Resources is in the process of creating a professional development program that will actively promote learning, community engagement, and encourage continuous professional and personal growth for everyone. Please check your emails for our survey requesting your feedback and take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback will help guide the Professional Development process and ensure that all voices are heard and included in the training and development initiative. Click HERE to complete the survey.
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Fastest and Best Way to Get Technology Help
Whenever you have any technology-related problems — whether it’s with apps like CUNYfirst, Outlook, or the Faculty & Staff Portal, etc. or with any network services or computer equipment — the fastest and best way to get help is to contact the IT HelpDesk by opening a ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal, or by calling 718-482-6134.
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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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New Microsoft Teams is Faster and Simpler! Switch Today!
When opening Microsoft Teams, you may have already noticed the option to switch to the new Microsoft Teams client version that Microsoft began introducing this month. The new Teams version will be required for use by all users beginning after March 31. We strongly suggest you change to the new version as soon as possible. The new Teams provides a faster, simpler, and more flexible experience. It installs and loads faster so you can launch the app and join meetings more quickly, resulting in a more efficient use of your time and your device’s resources.
The switch to the new Teams is also seamless. None of your saved files or information changes. All your Teams, chats, calendar, files, etc., will remain the same, nothing is lost. The look will be new, but not significantly different from the previous version. For more information on what’s changing, visit Features that are changing in the new Microsoft Teams. If you have any issues with Teams, visit Microsoft Teams Troubleshooting. If you like, there is an option to switch back temporarily to the old version until March 31. See the following instructions.
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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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