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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 Creates Credit for Prior Learning Pathway to Help CUNY Public Safety Officers Earn Associate Degrees

LaGuardia is offering CUNY Public Safety officers a pathway toward earning an associate degree in the Criminal Justice Program. The newly launched pathway offers the opportunity to earn up to nine credits through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) experience. Dr. Jill Kehoe, Associate Professor and Director of the Criminal Justice Program at LaGuardia, says LaGuardia’s Criminal Justice Program recognizes the significant level of training necessary to become a CUNY Public Safety officer and hopes this program will inspire CUNY Public Safety officers to take advantage of the opportunity “to better their future.”

Sustainable Urban Agriculture Students Begin Cultivation of New Urban Farm on Campus

On May 15, Sustainable Urban Agriculture students began cultivating the new LaGuardia Urban Farm and Research Laboratory, located behind the C-Building, on 47th Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets. By mid-June, the farm will be fully planted with tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers, and other fruits and vegetables. It will have nearly two dozen raised garden beds, three of which will be ADA-compliant. The farm will also have a rainwater harvesting system, irrigation, a compost program, a high tunnel greenhouse—also known as a hoop house greenhouse—enabling the growing season to be extended, and a sensory garden for children in LaGuardia’s ECLC. The farm presents opportunities for students to get involved in USDA initiatives, such as conducting controlled research on growth patterns of specialty crops. The LaGuardia Urban Farm and Research Laboratory was conceived by former provost, Dr. Paul Arcario, and is under the stewardship of Dr. Preethi Radhakrishnan, professor and director of LaGuardia’s Environmental Sciences program in Natural Sciences. They envision the farm becoming a place where the college and Western Queens communities can enjoy and partake in public events and workshops. “We aim to create a green oasis to welcome all biodiversity,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan. Special thanks to SVP Shahir Erfan and members of the college’s Facilities and Buildings and Grounds staff involved in the design and implementation of the farm. 

LaGuardia hosts CUNY 2X Tech Academy Launch

LaGuardia hosted a ribbon cutting on May 20 marking the launch of the CUNY 2X Tech Academy at the school, an initiative to help more young people prepare for and secure fulfilling careers in the fast-growing tech sector. Supported by $3 million in funding from the Office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Academy provides career readiness coaching, academic advisement, professional development seminars, job placement, and paid internships and apprenticeships for students in computer science and related majors. Currently, more than 1,100 LaGuardia students are pursuing associate degrees in Computer Science, Computer Technology, Cybersecurity (formerly known as Network Administration & Information Security), and Programming And Software Development. A career panel that followed the ribbon cutting featured LaGuardia leadership, and representatives of partner organizations and NYC employers involved in the program, including: Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia; Dr. Billie Gastic Rosado, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Brian Shoicket, AVP of Emerging Tech Initiatives for the NYC Economic Development Corporation; and Brendon Collins, Executive Director of the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline. 

Pop-Up Boutique Offers Students Free Early Childhood Items

On May 21, LaGuardia students were invited to a pop-up boutique featuring free essential items for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Items included baby shampoo, body wash, diaper, crip, diaper bag, and clothing. The pop-up boutique was hosted in room C-316 and was created through the LaGuardia Student-Parent Initiative to support student parents. The initiative began in 2019 with guidance from Koun Eum, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Social Science, Dr. Cheri Carr from the Humanities Department and Sonya Evariste, Director at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), who have supported and advocated for student-parents at LaGuardia Community College. “We hope that the Pop-Up Boutique shows our student-parents that we do care about them, and we do support their journey at LaGuardia,” said Dr. Eurn.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Celebration to be Held Today

The AAPI Heritage Month Committee presents a vibrant celebration of Asian and Asian American cultures at LaGuardia Community College from 2:15 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. on May 22. The performances will feature the harmonic singing of Timothy Hill, the powerful taiko drumming by Hiro Kurashima, the vibrant Indian dance by Ajna Dance Company, and the dynamic dance moves of AKF Dance Studio. Please visit the tables to receive a copy of the latest issue of "Asian American Voices," a student journal at LaGuardia, and to learn about free services offered by local AAPI non-profit organizations and NYC programs. Enjoy a delicious lunch that includes samosas, dumplings, karaage, and bento boxes. The winners of the Second Annual Table Tennis Tournament will also be announced at the festival. The next event on the LaGuardia Community Greenway will be the Pride on the Greenway celebration on June 5. To view the lineup of upcoming events on the Greenway, visit the LaGuardia Community Greenway webpage.

Bangladesh Student Association Celebrates Bengali New Year 

On May 8, the Bangladesh Student Association (BSA) club celebrated the Bengali New Year festival known as Pohela Boishakh. During the celebration, mentor Sada Hye Jaman (Business & Technology) shared remarks and expressed gratitude to the current members, alums, and guests. The celebration enlightened the room with cultural activities that included singing, dance performances, and other activities, which enhanced our students’ leadership, social, and teamwork competencies. Zahara Mutebi, current LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative (LHI) club president, attended and shared the opportunities LHI presents. Shubra Datta from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ office also joined and shared the resources for international students to get assistance. BSA president Tuhin Akand and the team, Arpa Acharjee, Kaniz Fatema, Mehedi Sijan, Abu Hasan Rifat, Alief Khan, invited all students to promote inclusivity and diverse culture.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Closing Sessions: Friday, May 31

Save the date for Spring Closing Sessions on Friday, May 31. President Kenneth Adams will give remarks and updates as Session I winds down and we look ahead to the summer and beyond. Join in-person at 10 a.m. in the Little Theater, or stream live on YouTube. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. 

Your Ideas Count! Strategic Planning Committee Invites Your Participation 

The Strategic Planning Committee is organizing activities open to all students, faculty, and staff who would like to get involved in the process. Please take a few moments to participate in the following current surveys: 


 

Coming soon: a survey about Teaching & Learning and panel discussion about Student Experience—stay tuned!  

Commencement to Take Place June 21 at Queens College

LaGuardia's 52nd graduating class will celebrate their graduation on the Queens College Quad on June 21. Faculty and staff interested in attending and supporting graduating students can learn more about the upcoming Commencement festivities here.

Mindfulness Pop-Up Event to Take Place in the Cobblestone Courtyard

The LaGuardia community is invited to attend “Be Kind to Your Mind,” a mindfulness pop-up event in the Cobblestone Courtyard on May 29 at 2:00 p.m. The event aims to give students an opportunity to join the community and learn about the benefits of mindfulness meditation. Participants will have the opportunity to practice guided meditation and get resources for mindfulness practice. 

Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship Showcase Scheduled May 29


Several of LaGuardia’s faculty and staff will present their recent work at the Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship Showcase on May 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the E Atrium and Room E-111. Faculty and staff from all departments of the college are invited to come see their peers' presentations and learn a bit more about the research other individuals on campus are working on. 

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY

LaGuardia Team Attends the Queens Chamber of Commerce Expo to Honor National Small Business Month

In honor of National Small Business Month, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a Local Resource Expo on Thursday, May 16. The LaGuardia External Affairs Team was one of many city agencies, educational institutions, civic groups, and service providers who came together to provide Queens small business owners with free information so they could learn more about their rights and the resources available to them to make educated decisions.


Pictured above: Luda Spajic (External Affairs) with another participant of the Expo.

Queens Springfield Gardens Intermediate School 59 Hosts Annual Community Health, Educational & Employment Resources Fair

As part of the LaGuardia External Affairs team's continuous effort to forge new relationships with Queens communities, Luda Spajic attended the Springfield Gardens Intermediate School 59 Annual Community Health, Educational & Employment Resources Fair on May 18. Numerous local community-based organizations and government organizations supported the event, which drew large crowds. A few local officials attended the event, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. 


Pictured above: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Luda Spajic.

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Archival Image Offers a Look at One of NYC's Seven Veteran Mayors

Since the consolidation of the five boroughs under one government in 1898, seven veterans have served as New York City’s mayor. Two served in World War I, four in World War II, and one, Mayor Ardolph L. Kline, served as a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War! Mayor Robert F. Wagner, then serving as a lieutenant colonel himself as part of the Air Force in France, snapped this photo of his driver posing on the hood of a car in 1944. The windshield of his own car didn’t do his shot any favors; clearly, Wagner was a better officer and mayor than he ever was a photographer! Mayor Wagner was disabled in the course of his service. While securing a building with his team, a bomb went off near him and he lost his hearing in his left ear. If Mayor Wagner sat someone on his left side at a meeting or dinner party, you knew he didn’t want to listen to them! Want to learn more about Mayor Wagner’s military service? You can, through our Robert F. Wagner Collection!

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

LaGuardia Undergraduate Research Day to Highlight Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Projects, May 22 

The 7th Annual LaGuardia Undergraduate Research Day is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m., May 22 in the Mainstage Theater Lobby The college community is invited to attend this free event. This year’s event co-chairs of the LaGuardia Undergraduate Research Committee are Dr. Pratikkumar Rathod, a professor in Natural Sciences, and Dr. Doyel Pal, an assistant professor in Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science. “This year, there were 34 posters from 10 different disciplines submitted, showcasing the diverse and innovative research conducted by talented LaGuardia students,” Dr. Rathod said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the various research activities happening across the college and to support their fellow classmates.” 

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance

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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, Student Information Center, Transfer Credit Evaluation and Testing offices.  

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library


HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Professional Development Workshops: Spring 2024 


  • Navigating the New Environment of Remote Work 
  • Review of Federal employment laws that apply to remote workers. Keeping remote workers informed and involved. Technology needed for remote working. Employee responsibilities while remote working. How can we best support and promote work/life balance while working remotely.
  • Wednesday, June 12 at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Register here

NYCCHR Free Professional Development Opportunities for You


The University Human Resources, Professional Development & Learning Office has free, upcoming professional development opportunities available to all employees. Employees will receive a meeting invitation with the link to the workshops the day before the session begins. The NYC Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) is offering two online workshops:


  • Human Rights Law and Age Discrimination in Employment, Wednesday, May 29, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. The workshop provides information about age discrimination and protections under the City Human Rights Law for all workers. Examples of age discrimination in employment are discussed, as well as best practices for employers. 


For more information and to register, please go to the workshop registration form

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

LaGuardia Service Alert: Service and App Disruptions 


The College will be undergoing a routine maintenance test of new equipment to ensure our campus hosted IT systems have improved resiliency in case of emergency power loss. The test requires shutting off power to IT systems in the C Building and will take place Friday, May 24, 5 a.m to 7 a.m.


During this process, local system services and apps that may be disrupted for up to two hours include the Faculty & Staff Portal, the Student My LaGuardia Portal, C2C, SEMS, ePortfolio and the ID card green border in the LaGuardia Mobile App.   


Systems and apps not affected by this test include: CUNYfirst, internet/email access, the LaGuardia Website, Teams, Blackboard, Zoom, Office 365, DegreeWorks, Library Resources, Telephone Services and the LaGuardia Mobile App (except ID card green border).  


IT is working with Building Operations to ensure the test is successfully conducted and completed with minimum disruption, and to monitor all systems after the test has concluded.  


If you have technology issues after the test has concluded, please contact our HelpDesk by submitting an IT HelpDesk ticket through the Faculty & Staff Portal or by email at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu, or call 718-482-6134.


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

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. 

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.

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

CORNELL CHRONICLE: Profile of Talha Islam (’22, Business Administration), graduating this month from Cornell University with his bachelor's in applied economics and management. In an accompanying video, Islam talks about how well LaGuardia prepared him for Cornell. 


NEW YORK POST: ⁠⁠LaGuardia Community College is partnering with Building Skills NY to help New Yorkers gain the skills and certifications necessary to enter and advance in the construction industry, which is currently booming with job opportunities. 


PIX11 NEWS: ⁠Dozens of job seekers flocked to the annual career fair on May 15 at LaGuardia Community College, organized with the Hispanic Federation. 

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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.