SHARE:  

"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.

Submit an Event
Submit a Project Request

NEWS

Former Art Professor Peter Brown Makes Generous Donation to Establish Visual Arts Scholarship 

LaGuardia Community College and the LaGuardia Community College Foundation recently celebrated the establishment of the Visual Arts Scholarship Fund made possible by a generous donation from Mr. Peter Brown, a former professor at LaGuardia. Peter Brown was an art professor and served as director of the Fine of Arts Program at LaGuardia for nearly 30 years from 1973 to 2002. In 2017, he reconnected with the College via the LaGuardia Foundation to begin conversations about supporting LaGuardia’s visual art students. To celebrate of the launch of the Visual Arts Scholarship Fund, a tour and reception were hosted on the LaGuardia campus on December 5. Mr. Brown, and his wife, Denise Smith, toured the Fine Arts, Design and Photography Departments hosted by Humanities Chair, Professor Vera Albrecht. The tour concluded in the E-Building 5th floor gallery with a reception welcoming about 25 students, faculty, and staff along with some of the Visual Arts Scholars whose works are currently featured on the fifth floor gallery. 

Two LaGuardia Students Receive Gilman International Scholarships to Study Abroad

The U.S. Department of State has announced the 2024 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, awarded to American undergraduate students from across all 50 states. This year’s distinguished awardees include two students from LaGuardia, who are in the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP): Quashawna Hutcherson, who worked with her advisor Lissette Aguilar and Laniel Collazo, who worked with his advisor Jenny Lugo. Both Quashawna and Laniel are enrolled in the Japanese Option and will be travelling abroad to Japan in Summer 2025. Their success would not have been possible without the ASAP office and advisors who encouraged their enrollment in EIS216: International Schooling in Global Contexts a flexible core class taught by Dr. Maria Savva, Professor in the Education and Language Acquisition Department, Co-Director of the Office of Global and Experiential Learning, and Gilman Panelist. During Spring II 2024, Quashawna and Laniel developed their scholarship essays as part of the course and received feedback and guidance from Dr. Savva.

Thank You for Supporting LaGuardia During CUNY Tuesday 2024 and this Season of Giving! 

The LaGuardia Community College Foundation is excited to share the news that this year's #CUNYTuesday was a great success! Not only did we meet our goal of $5,000, but we surpassed it by raising $7,495 — going beyond our totals from last year. This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of our faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and friends. According to the CUNY Chancellor, CUNY has broken records for both the number of #CUNYTuesday donations received and the amount of money raised—exceeding previous totals for the sixth year in a row, thanks to your generosity. CUNY’s day of giving raised more than $4.1 million from nearly 4,700 donations to our colleges and programs, an 11% increase, easily surpassing last year’s record of $3.7 million and 4,520 donations. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from the LaGuardia community, which continues to make a lasting impact on the education and opportunities we provide to our students. If you didn’t have a chance to donate on CUNY Tuesday, it's not too late! You can still make a year-end gift to support our remarkable students. Click here to make a gift

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Closing Sessions Recording Now Available

Thank you to everyone who attended (in-person and online) last week’s Closing Sessions hosted by President Kenneth Adams. For those of you who missed it, click here to view a recording of the presentation and look back on all that the LaGuardia community has achieved throughout 2024.

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 CARES Supports Students in Need

LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation, medical expense, tuition, books, supplies, and more. If you know a student in need, consider directing them to LaGuardia CARES to learn more about their services. If you're interested in supporting LaGuardia CARES' work, click here to learn more about donating.

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Get Your Monthly Dose of History, Reserve Your 2025 Archives Calendar! 

Did you know that the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives publishes a free calendar with a NYC history theme each year? Here’s Lola Lemon Queen, also known as Miss April, posing with her picture in the 2019 calendar, which was titled “Out and About: LGBTQ Life in NYC!” Stay tuned – our 2025 calendar will be available for distribution starting December 20! Reserve a copy by emailing ddicarlo@lagcc.cuny.edu

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Annual Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland with Joffrey Ballet School Returns on Sunday, December 15 

The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) invites the LaGuardia community to reserve tickets for The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa’s Toyland, a beloved holiday tradition for over 20 years. Featuring a special performance by the Joffrey Ballet School, the event will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, in LPAC’s Mainstage Theater. The Joffrey Ballet School’s Children and Youth program will perform a one-hour version of The Nutcracker, tailored for school-aged children and their families. After the performance, families are invited to Santa's Toyland in LPAC’s Little Theater, where children can meet Santa Claus and receive a special gift. Ticket prices start at $15 for students, with a $2 convenience fee per ticket. Discounts are available for the LaGuardia community and groups. Faculty, staff, and students must use their college email for discount approval. No RSVP is required for Santa’s Toyland; admission is included with a ticket for The Nutcracker

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

LaGuardia Students Complete NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program 

Four LaGuardia students successfully completed the NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program this fall, showcasing their dedication and proficiency in bilingual communication within the judicial setting. Alex Landi (a paralegal studies student interpreting in Spanish), Annette Meyers (a Deaf studies student interpreting in American Sign Language), Antoel Gega (an accounting student interpreting in Albanian; not pictured above), and Eric Liu (a computer science student interpreting in Mandarin) participated in the five-week intensive internship program designed to enhance their understanding of court interpretation through practical and immersive experiences. Each intern worked under the mentorship of seasoned court interpreters, gaining first-hand exposure to the intricacies of legal procedures and the critical role of interpreters in trials, hearings, and mediation sessions at various courts across NYC. Through the internship program, these students explored how their bilingual skills could become advantages for their professional careers and how to enhance the accessibility of justice for their language communities. LaGuardia will also begin offering a non-credit, fee-based legal interpreter certificate program in collaboration with professional legal interpreters in the NYS Court System. The screening for the class will take place in January 2025. Click here for more information. 

Professor Arthur Simms' Book Launch to Take Place December 17 at Karma

Arthur Simms, a Professor in the Humanities Department will participate in a conversation with the Italian curator Cecilia Alemani to commemorate the launch of a new book showcasing his artwork. The book launch and conversation will take place December 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Karma, located at 549 W 26 Street in Manhattan. Professor Simms is a Staten Island-based artist whose sculptural work has been described as "[radiating] with poeticism and spirituality." This book of his artwork features essays by Alemani, as well as Robert Storr, Gianni Jetzer, Mark Godfrey, and Mia Matthias. To learn more about the book launch event, click here.

Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Application Open Through January 9

The application for the prestigious 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will close on January 9. This prestigious national transfer scholarship program provides up to $55,000 per year to a small group of exceptionally promising community college students and alumni who plan to begin studies at a four-year institution in Fall 2025. Students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in order to qualify for the scholarship. If you know a student who you think would be a good fit for this scholarship, please direct them here to learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship.

Professor Lara Kattekola to Participate in Overseas Faculty Development Seminar in India

Dr. Lara Kattekola, a Professor in the English Department, was selected earlier this year to participate in an Overseas Faculty Development Seminar with the Council of Americas Overseas Research Centers. This program provides participants with the opportunity to join a fully funded overseas seminar aimed at helping faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions gain international experience. Next month, Dr. Kattekola will participate in the January 2025 seminar entitled “Sustainability through Urban and Agricultural India,” presented by the American Institute of Indian Studies. As part of the seminar, Dr. Kattekola will visit various parts of the country, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The program is sponsored by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance

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.  

CONTINUING EDUCATION

NYC Welcome Back Center Provides Opportunities for Immigrant Healthcare Professionals 

The NYC Welcome Back Center at LaGuardia is an information and resource center for nurses who received their education and training in a health field outside of the U.S. who would like to enter the healthcare sector in the U.S. The NYC Welcome Back Center provides orientation, counseling and career support to internationally trained nurses. In addition to receiving support in obtaining appropriate professional credentials and licenses for your profession, individuals can also receive assistance in exploring relevant educational programs, job and volunteer opportunities, and alternative career options. Learn more about the Welcome Back Center and eligibility here. If you know somebody you think may be a good fit for the program, encourage them to apply here.

RED HAWK ATHLETICS

Cheer for the LaGuardia Red Hawks Women’s and Men’s Basketball


The mighty Red Hawks invite students, faculty and staff to support them during the following upcoming games. Show your school spirit and support the Red Hawks. Check the Athletics website for full schedules: 

Women’s Basketball


  • December 14, 12 p.m. at Sullivan CC
  • January 4, 1 p.m. vs. Hostos CC
  • January 7, 6 p.m. vs. Bronx CC
  • January 11, 1 p.m. vs Northern Essex CC

Men’s Basketball 


  • December 14, 2 p.m. at Sullivan CC
  • January 4, 3 p.m. vs. Hostos CC
  • January 7, 8 p.m. vs. Bronx CC
  • January 11, 3 p.m. vs Northern Essex CC



Women's Basketball Team Recruiting New Players

Do you know a student who might be interested in joining the Women's Basketball team? It's not too late for them to join. The Women's Basketball team is seeking enthusiastic athletes to join the team and help them close out the season. Eligible students must be taking classes full time and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Interested students can join by visiting the M-Building Gymnasium any weekday from 5:30 to 8 p.m., or by filling out the Athletics Interest Form. Students can also reach out to Coach Shareika Parry with any questions about getting involved.

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library

  • Good luck with finals! The Library will be open during regular hours through December 14. Please see our calendar for more details. 
  • Want a chance to win an Amazon HD Fire tablet? Enter the 44th Annual Library Research Review Competition. Students can enter research papers written for courses taken at LaGuardia during the 2024-25 academic year. The deadline is July 5, 2025.
  • 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. 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Receive Your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095C Forms Electronically 


As an employee of a CUNY Community College, you may choose to have your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms delivered electronically instead of by paper copy. Electronic Delivery is voluntary, secure and accurate. To choose Electronic Delivery, log in to your NYCAPS Employee Self-Service (ESS) account. The electronic version can be viewed, printed and/or downloaded. 


Employees are reminded: 


  • If you have previously chosen Electronic Delivery, do not re-enroll. 
  • To electronically receive your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C Forms, select the paperless option in ESS before noon, Friday, January 3, 2025. 
  • You will receive an email providing instructions for securely accessing your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms. 
  • If you choose electronic delivery after noon, Friday, January 3, 2025, your 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms will be printed and mailed directly to you. 
  • All employees in an inactive leave status on Friday, January 3, 2025 will have their 2024 W-2, 1127 Waiver and 1095-C forms printed and mailed directly to them.


For more information about NYCAPS, visit About NYCAPS Employee Self-Service. If you have questions, contact LaGuardia’s Payroll Department at payroll@lagcc.cuny.edu or ext. 5518. 

Your TRS Benefits: December Online Class Schedule 


Whether you’re making retirement plans or you just started your career, TRS (Teacher’s Retirement System) offers valuable online classes on many aspects of membership. 


The December schedule is listed below. If you would like to attend an online class, you must register in advance by clicking the link for each program and submitting the registration form. Please read the class titles carefully to ensure you are registering for a session designed for your membership and tier status. 



Visit TRS Educational Programs for a complete listing of classes through January 30, 2025.

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What Is a Smishing Scam? How To Protect Yourself 


Smishing scams (also known as robotext scams) involve receiving unsolicited, automated text messages that impersonate a familiar business, government agency, or financial institution. Often, smishing scam texts try to capitalize on your fear, saying you could lose money if you don’t respond, or trick you into giving them your personal or financial information. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Robocall Response Team recently issued a new alert warning that scammers are increasingly using text messages. 


Here are six tips to protect yourself from a smishing scam:


  1. Don’t respond to suspicious text messages – delete them instead. 
  2. Never click on hyperlinks or attachments in suspect messages, which could install harmful malware on your devices. 
  3. Set your software/hardware to update automatically. 
  4. Use multi-factor authentication. 
  5. Only share personal and financial information through secure channels, not by text, email, or phone call. 
  6. Report suspicious text messages to the FCC, the FTC, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, your mobile carrier, and any company whose name appears in the suspicious text. 


For more guidance, visit online security and identity theft. If you have any questions, please contact our IT HelpDesk at: ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu

Introducing the DoIT Project Management Office (PMO) Request Form!


We are pleased to announce the launch of a new, streamlined process for requesting project management services from the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Project Management Office (PMO). The PMO coordinates a wide range of initiatives using rigorous project management methodologies, ensuring structured guidance and successful outcomes. In an advisory capacity, the PMO involves stakeholders, e.g., Student Affairs (SA) and Academic Affairs (AA), to establish IT-related project requirements, produce detailed planning, scheduling and work documents, and coordinate ongoing activities for the duration of a project.


To request PMO support for your IT-related projects and provide us with a clear understanding of your project needs, complete and submit the PMO Request Form. You can access the form in the Faculty and Staff Portal. On the left-side navigation, under “Request Support,” select “Project Management Office Request Form.” Please refer to the “How to Start a Project Management Request” guide for help with accessing and completing the form. Once we review your form, a project manager will contact you to discuss your request and outline the next steps.


For questions or additional information, please contact Jetmir Troshani at jtroshani@lagcc.cuny.edu.


IT Reminder: Complete Mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training


This is an important reminder to log in to Blackboard and complete the Cybersecurity Awareness Training course. You can find this course under the “Organizations” tab, along with the other essential annual training courses required for CUNY employees. This course was developed specifically for CUNY and covers phishing attacks, spam, and best practices for protecting your CUNY accounts and sensitive data. We encourage you to take it as soon as possible to protect the University's data, as well as your own. Your active involvement is crucial to our collective security efforts. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Maritza Acero.  


LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

FORBES:The gift of $116 million to LaGuardia Community College from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation was one of the largest gifts to a higher education institution in 2024.

EVENTS

Check Out the Latest Events

CONNECT WITH LAGUARDIA

Facebook            Instagram            LinkedIn            TikTok            X            YouTube

"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.