LaGuardia Community College Graduates Win Investment From 2018 CUNY Startup Accelerator Luis Medina Triana and Christian Robinson selected for their platform, Perfectus.io, designed to connect startup ventures with students seeking professional experienceJuly 5, 2018
Christian Robinson to the left & Luis Medina Triana to the right
CUNY Startups assists students in launching their own ventures, through a four-month program that helps teams go from idea to pilot to launch. After successfully taking an early stage idea to a well-defined launch plan, LaGuardia Community College/CUNY graduates, Luis Medina Triana and Christian Robinson, were recently selected for a $4,500 grant towards their startup, a platform called Perfectus.io, which enables startups to find talent to staff-up their ventures. They describe it on their website as, “A unique platform that matches startups with the right level of experience, interest, and compensation.”
"As an entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand how important CUNY Startups is to young entrepreneurs,” said CUNY Startups Manager of Marketing & Partnerships Faith Fraser. “Many founders come to us with just an idea and over the course of four months are able to accomplish so much. Luis and Christian are a great example of that.”
“The initiative that Luis and Christian showed in bringing their idea to CUNY Startups is commendable. Being a part of the CUNY system affords our students with many meaningful opportunities, like those at CUNY Startups. We encourage all our students to take advantage of these opportunities to expand their learning, connect with experts in their fields of interest, and find support for future ventures,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “With the grant Luis and Christian are receiving towards their platform, combined with their education, and commitment to innovation, they’re primed to make a significant mark on NYC’s tech ecosystem.”
Robinson describes how they drew from their own experience working on startups as inspiration: “I was on several startup teams that fell apart when we weren’t able to find people with the right skillsets to fill much-needed roles; it was especially hard to find people outside my major area to work with us — we just didn’t know enough people.”
They decided to address this gap with a new platform.
“Startups don’t often have the resources to pay a recruiter $10,000; they may only have just enough money to post a position on a job board or to ask around. As a result, they end up getting a small pool of applicants,” said Medina Triana. “Startups also need a process that is streamlined and easy to use – because they need workers NOW, yet lack the time to go through hundreds of resumes.”
“The platform also works for students because it helps them find good positions quickly – and many are eager to start working asap,” said Robinson.
Medina Triana and Robinson plan to put their CUNY Startups winnings towards building the platform. They also recently won the Capital One Innovation Challenge for their customer research work on their project. Currently, they’re working with two clients on a trial basis.
Medina Triana (class of 2013) and Robinson (class of 2018), both age 26, met at a reception celebrating the opening of Cornell Tech — quickly bonding over a shared desire to start their own businesses. They decided to form a partnership and seek opportunities together.
“Our original startup idea was a peer to peer matching system — helping students connect with other students to work together,” said Medina Triana. "However, we pivoted our idea to create a sustainable business model helping startups find the right fit for their team and helping students gain experience in roles that fit their passions."
“As entrepreneurs, we decided to focus on startups as they’re such an exciting area,” said Robinson. “We know how eager many students are for any experience they can add to their resume and build their professional experience.”
Medina Triana, who was born and raised in Colombia, earned a bachelor’s in digital marketing from Baruch College. He recently earned a professional certificate from TechHire, LaGuardia’s coding boot camp program, and currently works as a member of LaGuardia’s webmaster team.
Robinson, age 26, is a graduate of LaGuardia’s President’s Society — Tech, a professional development program for students interested in working in tech, and is currently working towards a bachelor’s in business administration at Medgar Evers College. He currently works as a client engagement specialist at iTell.io, a tech startup working out of NYDesigns, a startup incubator space located on the LaGuardia campus.
For more information about LaGuardia's suite of tech education and training programs, please contact Seema Shah, Director of Tech and Innovation at TechPartnerships@lagcc.cuny.edu
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LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.
#### LaGuardia Partner Energy Tech High School Celebrates GraduationJuly 2, 2018
Energy Tech High School, which trains graduates for in-demand jobs in the STEM field here in New York City, recently marked its second-ever graduating class. The school opened five years ago through a partnership between LaGuardia Community College, The City University of New York, National Grid, and Con Edison.
Energy Tech High School is part of a growing movement of grades 9-14 programs, where students can take college courses starting as early as the 10th grade, and can pursue an engineering-related associate degree free of charge.
Over half the members of Energy Tech’s Class of 2018 plan to continue their education at LaGuardia Community College to earn an associate degree in engineering or other majors.
“Congratulations to Energy Tech High School’s Class of 2018! The partnership between our college, CUNY, National Grid and Con Edison is clearly working,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Our collaboration with Energy Tech and other high schools lets students get a head start on going to college, while also demystifying the whole process of applying to and attending college. This model has shown success and we are proud to have been a pioneer in integrating high school and college education. Graduates of Energy Tech have a bright future as we grapple with creating more sustainable and reliable energy sources.”
“Energy Tech has excelled within the Early College Initiative using two core tenets of the strategic framework guiding CUNY: supported transitions from high school to college, and the full partnership with National Grid and other employer partners providing formative work-based learning and mentoring experiences towards successful career options in the energy industry,” said Brian Donnelly, director of the CUNY Early College Initiative.
“Upon high school graduation, students of the Class of 2018 have already made great strides toward their college and career goals. We look forward to continuing to develop our students and alumni as leaders in the energy industry, STEM fields more broadly, and beyond,” said Hope Barter, founding principal of Energy Tech High School.
Ken Daly, chief operating officer of US Electric, National Grid, delivered the keynote address at the graduation, in which he encouraged the Class of 2018 to continue to accept the challenge as they pursue a unique pathway to careers in the energy industry and beyond. “Your individual successes will benefit society as a whole, when you succeed you are helping someone else,” he said.
As an Energy Tech industry partner, National Grid provides technical support to help shape curriculum, field trips to company learning centers and power plants, along with mentoring and internship opportunities.
This summer, Energy Tech will participate in National Grid’s “Engineering Our Future Pipeline Program,” a six-year preparatory experience for high school students pursuing four-year engineering degrees and careers at National Grid.
“We are thankful to National Grid for their continued partnership—preparing students to be competitive candidates for engineering pathways is complex and challenging — we could not provide this level of support without the unwavering dedication of our industry partners,” said Principal Barter.
“Energy Tech provides a unique opportunity for local New York City high school students to gain the specific STEM skills we need in our industry to meet the energy challenges ahead,” said Daly. “Our partnership with Energy Tech High School supports National Grid’s ‘Engineering Our Future’ initiative to build a highly skilled and diverse workforce. Congratulations to the class of 2018 — National Grid is delighted to help you prepare for productive technical careers in our local communities and support your development as future leaders in the energy industry.”
Energy Tech will celebrate its inaugural cohort of associate degree graduates in June 2019, while a small group of accelerated students is on track to earn their associate degrees in December 2018.
Ken Daly, COO, U.S. Electric, National Grid delivers the keynote address for Energy Tech High School’s Commencement Ceremony on June 22, 2018.
Moza Maryam walks across the stage as her name is being called.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company that supplies the energy for more than 20 million people through its networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.
National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Read more about the innovative projects happening across our footprint in The Democratization of Energy, an eBook written by National Grid’s US president, Dean Seavers.
About Energy Tech
Energy Tech is an Early College Initiative (ECI) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) school serving grades 9-14, and focusing on building a skilled workforce for the fast-growing energy industry. The school opened in the fall of 2013 in Long Island City, Queens, and is being developed in partnership with The City University of New York, LaGuardia Community College, National Grid, and Con Edison. Energy Tech is preparing students for the demands of college and work, and for a range of competitive careers in engineering and technology in our local utility industry. In collaboration with local university and industry partners, Energy Tech provides students with the skills and understandings to earn a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and to participate in a range of career readiness experiences over the course of a six-year program. Ultimately, students will leave Energy Tech as skilled candidates for jobs on a ladder of career growth in the field of energy, or competitive applicants for four-year colleges.
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LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more
#### Google Brings ''IT Support Professional Certificate'' to Over 25 Community Colleges, Including LaGuardia Community College Grow with Google, Google’s initiative to create economic opportunities for Americans, supporting JFF, a workforce development leader, to integrate program into community colleges
14 additional employers sign on to consider program graduates for jobs
Long Island City (June 25, 2018)—Today, Grow with Google announced that it will bring the IT Support Professional Certificate to over 25 community colleges, including LaGuardia Community College, part of The City University of New York (CUNY).
“As one of the first community colleges nationwide selected as a training site for Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate, we’re pleased to provide this new avenue to a rewarding career for New Yorkers with a personal interest in technology,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Through our robust tech education program, which trains 3,500 students each year in numerous tech-related programs, LaGuardia is training tomorrow’s workforce for NYC’s flourishing tech ecosystem.”
Google.org is funding JFF, the workforce development nonprofit, to provide support for learners in seven states (CA, IL, MI, NY, OH, TX, and WI). In addition, 14 more companies signed on to consider those who complete the program for their IT support jobs. The program will be available in the 2018-2019 school year.
“Google is committed to training the workforce of today and tomorrow, and we are thrilled to team up with community colleges to help graduates jump start a new career in IT Support,” said Jesse Haines, director of Grow with Google. “Community colleges play an important role in helping Americans get ahead, and they will be strong partners in Grow with Google’s mission to create more economic opportunities for Americans.”
Launched in January on the Coursera learning platform, Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate aims to train learners with no prior experience to be IT support professionals in about eight months. In the five months since its inception, almost 40,000 learners have enrolled in the online program.
With over 150,000 open positions, IT support is one of the fastest growing fields in the US. While there is demand for specialists, employers are often challenged to find trained talent, as the majority of IT support positions do not require a college degree but do require prior experience. Through hands-on assessments that allow learners to troubleshoot as if they were on the job, this certificate is designed to give learners the training and experience they need to get a job in tech support. The median annual wage for computer-user support specialists is $52,160
As part of today’s announcement, learners who complete the certificate program can now share their information directly with up to 22 top employers who are looking to hire IT Support talent. The first group of employers includes Bank of America, Walmart, Sprint, GE Digital, PNC Bank, Infosys, TEKSystems, UPMC, and Google itself. The 14 new companies include Hulu, MCPc, Cognizant, RICOH USA, and 10 members of the Walmart family: Sam’s Club, Shoes.com, Jet, Allswell, Bonobos, Hayneedle, Modcloth, Moosejaw, Store No 8, and Vudu.
“JFF is excited to join forces with Google to lead the implementation of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate in over 25 leading community colleges across the country,” said Maria Flynn, president and CEO, JFF. “This collaboration is an opportunity for JFF to leverage its extensive expertise in working with community colleges to support Google’s innovative new IT credential that offers a pathway for students into self-sustaining IT jobs.”
The IT Support Professional Certificate is a key program in Grow with Google, our initiative to create more economic opportunities for Americans. Like other Grow with Google programs, such as Get Your Business Online and Applied Digital Skills, the certificate is intended to give more Americans access to the digital skills, and to find success in today’s digital economy.
Already, Google has given 10,000 learners free access to the program through financial aid and Google.org scholarships to nonprofits focusing on low income learners through Year Up, Per Scholas, and Goodwill®; veterans through Student Veterans of America; and refugees through Upwardly Global.
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LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more. LaGuardia Community College Confers More than 1,600 Associate’s Degrees at 46th Commencement Ceremony Activist Shaun King delivered keynote;
Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. delivered alumni address;
Student address delivered by Karina Ramos-Caraballo, a 25 year-old secondary education major & mom of a 2 year-old daughterJune 5, 2018
More than 1,600 [1] New Yorkers celebrated earning their associate’s degrees at LaGuardia Community College’s 46th Commencement Ceremony, held this morning at Barclays Center (View class profile).
“A brighter future lies ahead for today’s graduates,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Many have dealt with significant obstacles along the way. For some, earning a college degree may have seemed impossible. Their graduation is a testament to their resilience and fortitude. Our ceremony today aimed to help them see that their achievement marks how far they’ve come, and that they’re ready for the next step in their education or professional career.”
Lifetime earnings increase more than $400,000 for students with an associate’s degree. Ninety-three percent of LaGuardia graduates have no student loan debt. And a Stanford University study of economic mobility of US colleges—that is, the ability of a college to move low-income people to the middle class and beyond—ranked LaGuardia #5 among all two-year colleges nationwide. LaGuardia students are 35 percent more likely to transfer to a four-year college than community college students nationally.
Today’s LaGuardia graduates earned an associate’s degree in one of the 60 majors offered at the college, ranging from Accounting, Commercial Photography, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Deaf Studies, Engineering, Nursing, and New Media Technology.
A majority (71 percent) of LaGuardia Community College’s approx. 50,000 students have family incomes of less than $30,000/year. They come from 150 countries and speak 96 native languages. Forty-two percent are age 23 or older. Some are parents (who can often be seen dropping off young children at our on-campus daycare). Thirty-six percent came in as transfer students, meaning that they had some college credits—some started their college journey at a four-year college, but dropped out due to financial pressures or family set-backs—while others came to LaGuardia to pursue an associate’s degree in a different field than their bachelor’s. Many relied on LaGuardia’s extensive support services—from advisors that keep them on track academically, staff ready to help them navigate the maze of financial aid and apply to scholarships, and counselors that help them sign up for public benefits and access our on-campus food pantry.
Shaun King, a prominent voice within the Black Lives Matter movement, gave the keynote address to the audience of 10,000 comprised of graduates’ family and friends, LaGuardia leadership, faculty, staff, and representatives from the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York
“LaGuardia Community College’s Class of 2018 graduates have reached an important finish line, but are also at an important starting point,” said Shaun King. “I encouraged them to seek out opportunities to talk about their community college experience and to tell their stories of overcoming obstacles—in order to remind others of the importance of broad access to higher education to achieve social justice, and to motivate other young people, particularly low-income and underserved communities, thinking about making the leap to enrolling in college. With their accessibility and affordability, community colleges like LaGuardia help support the real empowerment and liberation of historically disadvantaged groups.”
Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. and a member of LaGuardia’s Class of 1998 gave the alumni speech. A lifelong resident of the Bronx, Borough President Díaz is serving his third term in this role, during which time he’s credited with bringing thousands of new jobs, improving infrastructure, housing, education, health, wellness, and public safety, to the Bronx.
“LaGuardia Community College set me on the greater path to success, and I would not be where I am today without the lessons I learned as a student there,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “LaGuardia is a place that provides opportunity for New Yorkers who need it the most, and my own experience shows that graduates of this great institution can go on to do amazing things—they can ‘dare to do more.’ I am proud to be a part of this year’s commencement celebration at LaGuardia, as we send more than 1,600 proud men and women on the path to continue their education and start their careers.”
The 2018 Class Speaker, Karina Ramos-Caraballo, who received her Associate in Arts degree in Secondary Education, reminded her fellow graduates of their journey to graduation—encouraging them to use their journey as motivation to pursue future goals in their lives.
“LaGuardia Community College helps people see their potential by providing a welcoming, diverse atmosphere,” said Ms. Ramos-Caraballo. “I’m grateful to LaGuardia for opening the door of opportunity and for placing our education in the hands of extraordinary professors. I’m proud to be part of LaGuardia Community College—thanks to LaGuardia, I know that my family is on a better track. My husband, Marcos Ramos, also graduated today. We’re setting a great example for our daughter about the value of education.”
Karina, age 25, is the first member of her family to graduate college. She was born and raised in a low-income immigrant family in Brooklyn, where they struggled to make ends meet.
Like many students, Karina came to LaGuardia for a second chance. A few years ago, she’d been dismissed from a different community college for poor grades. Around the same time, she met LaGuardia student Marcos Ramos who became her boyfriend and encouraged her to enroll at the college. Just after she enrolled, they learned Karina was pregnant with their first child, so Karina delayed her start at LaGuardia to have their daughter, Keilani. They got married, and once Keilani, was 12-months-old, making her eligible for LaGuardia’s on-campus daycare, Karina jumped back in to pursuing her dream of earning a college degree.
Karina is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Brooklyn College, and her husband Marcos, a criminal justice major, is transferring to John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Marcos’s brother Brian Ramos, a 2017 graduate of LaGuardia, is currently pursuing his bachelor’s at Baruch.
LaGuardia’s Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Paul Arcario, EdD, gave the welcome remarks and introductions. Mathematics professor Reem Jaafar, Ph.D., served as Grand Marshal.
The City University of New York was represented by The Honorable Henry T. Berger, JD, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Matthew Sapienza, MBA, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of CUNY, who both addressed the graduates.
The LaGuardia Vocal Ensemble performed the Star Spangled Banner, arranged and conducted by LaGuardia music professor Marianne Solivan, MMus.
Please click here for more information about LaGuardia’s 46th Annual Commencement, or click here to view/download commencement photos.
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LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.
[1] 1,250 have completed their graduation requirements; 350+ expected to finish class requirements by August 2018
#### Daring LaGuardians—Stories of Four Members of the LaGuardia Community College 2018 Graduating ClassMonday June 4, 2018
More than 1,600 New Yorkers are expected to celebrate earning their associate’s degree at tomorrow’s 2018 Commencement for LaGuardia Community College.
Since it’s a large number, we want to share the stories of four members of the Class of 2018. Stories that are emblematic of LaGuardia Community College, where a typical student might be considered “non-traditional” at a four-year college. Approx. 46 percent are age 25 or older, with 20 percent over age 30. They’re often poor—71 percent have family incomes of $30,000 or less—are recent immigrants or have otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds. And a good number are the first in their family to pursue a college degree.
“A LaGuardia education gives students the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their careers and in their lives,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Our graduates, having overcome obstacles that often include balancing multiple demands of work, family and academics, have incredible grit and determination to excel. Graduation is a time to celebrate their accomplishments and to join them in imagining how they will improve the lives of their families, our city and our nation.”
Many came to LaGuardia seeking a second chance after a bad start at a four-year college. Or they chose LaGuardia after a negative high school experience—and as a result, came in with poor study habits, or needing to take remedial classes in math, reading, or writing. Or despite having the academics for a four-year college, they needed an affordable route to begin their college journey.
They’ll graduate in one of more than 60 majors. For the Class of 2018, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Liberal Arts: Social Science & Humanities are the three most common majors. If not entering the workforce, many are transferring to a public four-year college, a private college, or one of the most selective colleges and universities this country has to offer, to pursue their bachelor’s.
The stories below include: a mother-daughter duo, where the mother always dreamed of going to LaGuardia, but dropped out after one semester nearly three decades ago when she became pregnant with her first child; a woman with a bachelor’s from Boston University who enrolled at LaGuardia to pursue her passion for theatre and ended up earning a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship where she’ll study in India; and a young man from The Bronx who came to LaGuardia to get his college journey back on track after getting expelled for poor grades from a four-year college—at LaGuardia, he ended up finding a passion for journalism and has been selected as a 2018 Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium Fellow.
Their stories are below. Congratulations to the LaGuardia Class of 2018, who are all embodiments of our school motto, ‘Dare To Do More’!
 Mother-Daughter Duo: Lakima Lewis and Tamecca Reid
Lakima Lewis, age 45 (pictured at right below), is a paralegal studies major, who is transferring to Queens College to pursue her bachelor’s in political science.
Lakima first studied at LaGuardia in 1990, but dropped out after one semester when she became pregnant with her first child, a son (now 26 and a graduate of Brooklyn College).
After she got injured on the job in 2011, she decided to re-enroll at LaGuardia, where her daughter, Tamecca Reid (pictured at left), was studying. Ms. Lewis, who relies on a wheelchair and a cane to get around, found support and resources from LaGuardia’s Office for Students with Disabilities.
At LaGuardia, the two, who live together in Brooklyn, often met for breakfast together before classes.
Now they’re really excited to be celebrating earning their associate’s degrees on the same day. Tamecca, age 21, is a deaf studies major.
"I cried when I found out that we’d be graduating together because I thought it was really special,” said Ms. Lewis, who is a member of Delta Alpha Pi, the international honors society for students with disabilities. “Especially for me to come back to a school I always wanted to go to when I was 18."
 Fulbright Scholar: Ambar Castillo
Ambar Castillo (pictured at right), is a theater major who was recently awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study performance-based initiatives to combat social problems in rural villages in India, continuing the work she pursued as a Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow in Gujarat last summer.
The Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright alumni include 59 Nobel Laureates, 82 Pulitzer Prize winners, 71 MacArthur Fellows, 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors.
Ambar holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies & Journalism from Boston University. She was working a secure job with benefits when she decided to pursue her passion for theatre and enrolled at LaGuardia.
Ambar’s acting roles have ranged from cross-gender ones in Boston-based William Suspension Productions to a role in “Vagina Monologues” with Athena Players and that of a mayfly at LaGuardia, for which she earned a 2017 Irene Ryan acting nomination.
Her goal is to earn a master’s in public health, and then a PhD in performance studies.
Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow: Jonathan Custodio
Jonathan Custodio, age 23 (pictured at right), is a journalism major who plans to begin pursuing a bachelor’s in journalism this fall at City College.
He was recently one of just 43 emerging journalists selected from across the U.S. as a Pulitzer Center 2018 student reporting fellow. Jonathan, who speaks Spanish, plans to travel to Mexico in January where he’ll report on Afro-Mexican identity.
Jonathan started his college journey at a four-year college upstate, but was asked to leave after one semester for a 1.1 GPA. Being expelled was deeply disappointing for Jonathan, who especially feared letting down his parents, immigrants from the Dominican Republic. When they instead responded with love and understanding, his fears subsided.
Deciding that perhaps a school closer to his family home The Bronx would provide better structure for himself, he enrolled at LaGuardia where he realized his passion for writing and switched his major from business administration to journalism, and became editor-in-chief of LaGuardia’s student newspaper, The Bridge. He also served as a Civic Fellow for LaGuardia’s government affairs team—engaging civically with community members about the opportunities at the college.
His gift for writing is evident in the personal statement for his application to four-year schools, in which he writes passionately about the turmoil he felt upon leaving his first college. Read below.
In Depression to Independence By: Jonathan Custodio
The letter arrived on a rainy June afternoon. I had been expelled from the University at Buffalo.
It was expected for months but it still struck me like a thunderous punch that I didn't anticipate. I could not bear the shame, the disappointment, nor the depression that followed. The days went by slowly; the nights even more so.
My time at the university had come to an end because of academic ignorance. Growing up in a strict Dominican household, I was rarely given the autonomy to be as social as I had liked to be. So after being thrown into a situation in which I had complete freedom, I could not manage leisure with responsibility and my studies suffered. As a result, I ended my first and only academic year there with an atrocious 1.1 Grade Point Average (GPA).
"Jonathan, we are headed to the movies. Do you want to come?" "No, I'm okay."
"Jonathan, are you feeling alright. Is everything okay?" "Everything is fine."
These were the sullen answers that were given to genuine concern from my family because I felt too embarrassed to face them and explain my failures.
My father worked ten-hour shifts in a factory and my mother did housework gigs. I always noticed how tired my parents were when arriving home from work and told myself that I would do everything in my power to ensure that his final decades were as relaxing as possible.
Immigrants from the Dominican Republic, my parents always preached the importance of an education and placed immense pressure on me to succeed. That pressure was only exacerbated by the bachelor’s degrees that were earned by both of my older brothers.
All of these factors contributed to a rapidly developed depression. Overwhelmed by my lack of success, I could not bear disappointing them and thought that everything would be easier if I removed this liability from their lives.
With no job or school enrollment, I had hours in the day to myself that I would alternatively spend between crying or pressing a blade to my wrists and wondering what it was like to experience the sweet release of death. My pride always stopped me. My story was not going to end that way. It was time to speak up.
I waited until the night before returning students were scheduled to start the sophomore year to tell my parents. Before the words could even come out, my eyes became faucets. I had never felt so emotional and could only manage to keep my eyes fixed on the floor because I was too afraid to see the reaction of my mother, who was more critical of me than anyone else.
But suddenly, the support interjected. They proved what it meant to be family: togetherness and just being there for someone when he or she needs it most. I was at a loss for words as each member of my family showered me with love and words of encouragement.
Fear turned into relief. Depression converted to comfort.
Almost five years later, I sit here writing this statement as easily as blinking. I do so with no regrets, and with no remorse.
I went to college because I was told that you were supposed to. You go to college, get a job and have a family. Hence, I believed that I needed to seek what was familiar and safe. I followed my older brother's path in studying Business Administration because he was doing well for himself and my parents approved of it.
I decided to pursue my passion in journalism at LaGuardia Community College. Why did I choose LaGuardia? The reason isn’t profound or deep. It was the only school in all of CUNY still accepting students at the time.
To my surprise, LaGuardia has been nothing but a venue of support, development and education. There, I have honed my leadership, networking and communal skills while being a Civic Fellow; embraced a journalistic integrity in being editor-in-chief of our school newspaper The Bridge for more than a year; and developed a passion for uplifting fellow students and dreamers towards their wildest aspirations.
I love to write and I love the news. I feel a compulsion to properly inform the people and give them a platform to be heard. Real change happens through people, and the biggest mistake is not believing that we have the power to have a massive impact on the issues that matter to us. I learned to believe in myself.
LaGuardia Community College helped me develop those beliefs; I would not be as content and driven as I am today without the experience of being a student at this college in Long Island City, Queens.
I recently finished my classes towards my major and am getting ready to graduate in June. After which time I plan to go to a four-year school towards a bachelor’s in journalism.
We cannot improve upon ourselves until we tackle our greatest fears; until we follow our passions; until we learn from our past. I didn't know that at nineteen years old. I know it at twenty-three.
#### Shaun King, Activist and Journalist, To Keynote 2018 LaGuardia Community College Commencement More than 2,000 Expected to Receive their Associate’s Degrees ***9am, June 5th @ Barclays Center***
Shaun King, a Black Lives Matter advocate, eminent writer, journalist, and humanitarian will give the keynote address at LaGuardia Community College’s 46th Commencement on June 5, 2018 at Barclays Center.
Shaun King gained attention for his activism involving police cruelty and justice. He has led a number of social media campaigns in movements for social justice. He has described how seeing video of Eric Garner’s death on YouTube as the “breaking point” which motivated him to begin speaking out publicly against police brutality and advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement. He worked for the New York Daily News as senior justice writer from 2015 to 2017, and is currently a columnist for The Intercept and writer-in-residence at the Harvard University-based Fair Punishment Project. He is also the political commentator for the legendary Tom Joyner Morning Show. In 2017, he received the Samuel Peabody Award for Journalism from the Citizen’s Committee for Children in New York — an award given annually to one journalist who uses their platform and position to improve the lives of children.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a 1998 graduate of LaGuardia Community College, will give the alumni speech.
The Commencement will be led by LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. For more information about LaGuardia’s 46th Annual Commencement, visit: http://www.laguardia.edu/Commencement/
WHO: Members of LaGuardia’s Class
- 2,000 graduating students who’ll receive their associate’s degrees from LaGuardia Community College, and their friends and families
- LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow, and additional College leadership, faculty and staff
- Keynote Speaker: Shaun King, writer, activist, journalist, humanitarian, and a prominent voice within the Black Lives Matter movement
- Class of 2018 Speaker: Karina Ramos-Caraballo
WHAT: LaGuardia Community College’s 46th Commencement
WHEN: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 9am ET
Press Call: 8am ET. Reporters should enter via the Calvin Klein VIP Entrance of Barclays Center. It's the Entrance on Northwest corner of arena on Atlantic Avenue by Ft. Greene Place across Old Navy, Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory. Reporters will be asked to check-in at one of the two stationary podiums in the entrance to receive a press badge allowing them to access the media section, and a press packet.
WHERE: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11217
To attend the 2018 LaGuardia Community College Commencement, credentialed members of the media are asked to RSVP by replying to this email or calling (718) 482-6131 or (718) 482-5060 by Monday, June 4th, 5pm ET.
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LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.
#### New research from LaGuardia Community College Professor Benjamin Taylor shows that wasps drum to alert one another of food nearby Findings provide first evidence that wasps have complex communication about food, just as ants, bees, termites, and other social insectsMay 15, 2018
Have you ever had to shout to call your family to the dinner table?
Or watched an old movie where a cook would ring a bell to let the cowboys know it was dinner time?
Turns out that humans aren’t the only creatures that need to find creative ways to tell their loved ones and comrades about a meal on the table.
Benjamin Taylor, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, co-led research that found that wasps have their own way of communicating to each other about mealtime.
Professor Taylor and his colleagues studied a behavior exhibited by the wasps called gastral drumming. When workers produce the behavior, they drum their gaster (or abdomen) against different parts of the nest in a rhythmic fashion, producing distinct sounds.
“For nearly five decades, researchers thought the gastral drumming was a signal of hunger. My team and I showed that they’re actually informing each other through this behavior that there’s good food nearby, and other workers should be activated to go out and search for it,” said Professor Taylor. “Our findings are really exciting because they provide the first evidence that wasps have complex communication about food, just as ants, bees, termites, and other social insects.”
In the social insect world, the drumming behavior shown by wasps in this study is known as ‘recruitment.’
“There are some really famous examples of recruitment in other social insect groups—but foraging in social wasps was never thought to involve complex communication,” said Professor Taylor. Examples include ants producing pheromone trails—resulting in lines of ants following each other to and from their nest. “Also, the honey bee waggle dance is one of the most iconic forms of communication found in any organism, and that includes social insects or otherwise,” said Professor Taylor.
“The work of Professor Taylor, and other faculty at LaGuardia Community College, underscores our commitment to research. It’s a fundamental part of what we do: expanding the knowledge and skills our students possess and pushing boundaries in creating new knowledge,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow.
The study, published in The Science of Nature focuses on a species of wasp called the German yellowjacket. These are yellow and black striped wasps.
“These wasps often show up at picnics, ballgames—anywhere food can be found. German yellowjackets are notorious for aggressively defending their nests,” said Professor Taylor. “Anyone who has stepped on one won’t soon forget it. I suspect that most people who say they were stung by a bee were actually stung by one of these wasps. But I don’t want to make them sound like ruthless monsters. When they sting, it’s most often to defend themselves or the other members of the colony.”
“German yellow jacket wasps are vital components of ecosystems and are often overlooked as pollinators for plants. Many wasp researchers have been trying to get others to reassess their importance in this regard (e.g. https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/in-defence-of-wasps-why-squashing-them-comes-with-a-sting-in-the-tale-a7144306.html). There’s also a hashtag used on social media (#wasplove), to try to get people to understand their importance.”
Professor Taylor and his students are currently testing additional hypotheses for the function of the gastral drumming. Because of the significant variation in how the wasps produce the behavior, they’re examining whether this variation conveys the quality of the food, in addition to the fact that there’s food available.
“There’s a lot that we can learn from social insects. For one, they’re known for being incredibly efficient, so much so that shipping companies utilize models which have been derived from foraging ants to try and ship their goods as efficiently as they possibly can. So, if your package arrives faster, you probably have a social insect to thank for that,” said Professor Taylor.
• • • •
LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.
#### $40,000/yr. Transfer Scholarship Awarded to Eleni Romano, Mechanical Engineering MajorMay 9, 2018
Eleni Romano, age 24, a mechanical engineering major at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY (“LaGuardia”), is one of 47 recipients of the 2018 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive national scholarship provides awardees with up to $40,000 annually for a maximum of three years to complete their bachelor’s degree.
“Being selected for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is an astounding accomplishment — a testament to a student’s incredible work,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Community colleges educate the vast majority of low-income, recent immigrant, or otherwise disadvantaged students, and giving them the opportunity to pursue their bachelor’s or even graduate work with significantly fewer financial worries is an incredible benefit. We’re so proud of Eleni Romano, our ninth LaGuardia student to be awarded this coveted award since 2006, and know that with the ability this award will afford her to focus on her studies, the possibilities of what she can accomplish are that much wider, and we all stand to benefit.”
Ms. Romano was a member of President’s Society – Tech, the college’s leadership development program for students interested in STEM fields. She’s consistently made the Dean’s list, and is a member of the Honors Program. Additionally, as a member of the CUNY Research Scholars Program, Ms. Romano spent two years working on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA GISS) research program. While at LaGuardia, she received several scholarships from the LaGuardia Community College Foundation to help make ends meet.
“Eleni has been my research mentee for almost two and half years, and her work has been nothing short of outstanding,” said John Toland, Ph.D, associate professor of physics at LaGuardia. “Her contributions to our research project about gyroscopes merit publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which we will be preparing over the summer. Eleni demonstrates confidence, competence, integrity and grit in both her research work for me and as an active member of the college community. I am very proud of her and excited to see where her academic journey will go.”
“Eleni has taken the time to understand quantum mechanics at a fundamental level and can explain her research to a general audience or to physicists who have been in the field for decades,” said Allyson Sheffield, Ph.D, associate professor of physics at LaGuardia. “She provides invaluable feedback and advice to her fellow CUNY Research Scholars and is a true inspiration to them.”
“I’m so grateful to my mentor John Toland for his help and support,” says Ms. Romano. I’ve learned so much working with him on his work on gyroscopes, which are navigational systems found in many technologies from smartphones, to planes and satellites – making it possible to determine what’s up and down, what’s portrait or landscape orientation. I always had an interest in science, but family and friends discouraged me pursuing it as a career. His support allowed me to pursue my dream.”
“And Dr. Sheffield helped me so much by advising me as I wrote my Jack Kent Cooke application.”
Ms. Romano and her family moved to the US from Athens, Greece when she was nine years old. She is married to Marco Gonzalez, who is also a student at LaGuardia.
She describes herself as having been a “lazy student” in high school, at Bayside High School. Consequently, she placed into developmental math at LaGuardia; since then has taken (and passed!) every single math class at LaGuardia.
The lowest grade she got in a math course at LaGuardia was a B+, which she attributes to having to juggle work (in a restaurant) with school to make ends meet.
"I came from MAT096 (developmental math) to being a Jack Kent Cooke scholar! When I found out that I got the scholarship, I just couldn’t believe it—I was so excited! Now with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, I won’t have to take out loans, and will be able to totally focus on pursuing my bachelor’s without having to work.”
Ms. Romano is the 9thLaGuardia student to be awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. In 2017, three LaGuardia students were selected for this covered scholarship.
The LaGuardia Jack Kent Cooke scholars have included:
1. Yeshey Pelzom (2006); Agnes Scott; King's College, London (M.A., also funded by the JKC Foundation)
2. Harmonie Kobanghe (2012); Georgetown; Columbia (M.A., also funded by the JKC Foundation)
3. Cristina Mihailescu (2014); Columbia
4. Xavier Medina (2015); Columbia
5. Nathan Weiss (2015); Baruch
6. Jonathan Morales (2017); Stanford
7. Konstandinos Gobakis (2017); Amherst
8. Miguel Castillo (2017); Columbia
9. Eleni Romano (2018)
Karlyn Koh, Ph.D, LaGuardia’s Cooke Foundation Faculty Representative, director of the LaGuardia Honors Program, and a professor of English remarks that “our Cooke scholars over the years are examples of not only the talent and drive that many community college students possess, but also of how far the latter can go with academic and financial support. These nine Cooke scholars are thus surely an inspiration to other LaGuardia students, and also to all of us who work on behalf of students to support their success.”
In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Transfer Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising from foundation staff to guide them through the processes of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their careers. The foundation also provides opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of 2,300 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.
What are Ms. Romano’s plans for the future? As she says, “I’m 1000% sure getting a physics degree. I definitely want to get a master’s in physics; and I’m still deciding if I’ll pursue a Ph.D as well. I’m interested in Columbia University, as well as in the Stevens Institute of Technology, where my mentor Professor John Toland studied. We’ll see!”
“Community colleges provide an affordable first step for many students with financial need to begin their higher education journey,” said Harold O. Levy, executive director of the Cooke Foundation. “Cooke Transfer Scholars have demonstrated incredible ability and ambition, and we look forward to supporting their success at universities such as Stanford, Cornell, and MIT.”
This year, nearly 2,500 students applied for the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The foundation evaluated each submission based on academic ability, persistence, leadership, and service to others. The recipients selected have a median adjusted gross income of $5,000 and an average GPA of 3.92. Biological sciences, engineering, and computer/informational sciences are the most popular fields of study among the cohort.
A full list of the 2018 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including the community colleges and states they represent, can be viewed here .
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The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded $175 million in scholarships to more than 2,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The foundation has also provided over $97 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more. More than 600 students attended LaGuardia’s recent Immigration Information Fair
Over 45,000 students from more than 150 countries come to LaGuardia Community College each year. Many are recent-immigrants, or have immigrant family members and friends.
On two days in April 2018, the Immigration Information Fair was held on LaGuardia’s campus to make sure that LaGuardia students have up-to-date information about immigrant rights and resources at LaGuardia, CUNY, and the broader NYC/Queens community.
 The view from above at the recent Immigration Information Fair held at LaGuardia Community College over two days in April 2018.
More than 600 students attended the fair. A main feature was a Know Your Rights workshop, presented by the New York Immigration Coalition . The event also offered free consultations with attorneys to ask questions. More than 80 students availed themselves of these consultations.
 LaGuardia Community College Foundation staff provide information about scholarships and emergency funds that students can apply for, at the college’s recent Immigration Information Fair.
“We want to thank the many groups that came to provide resources about their services to our students,” said Mimi Blaber, executive director of the CUNY Language Immersion Program at LaGuardia. “We know there are a lot of questions and confusion about the topic of immigration, and we wanted to provide as much info as possible.”
 A student receives a legal consultation with an attorney at the recent Immigration Information Fair at LaGuardia Community College.
Groups that attended included CUNY Citizenship Now!, CUNY School of Law, Catholic Migration Services, Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee, Legal Aid Society, Queens Library, the Arab American Association of New York, Make the Road, and the Office of New Americans.
The fair also afforded LaGuardia students an opportunity to learn about the many services that help students enter and stay in college:
Additional resources can be found on the LaGuardia website. Tony Award winner Stew to debut new musical—a modern take on U.S. history—with the LaGuardia Community College Theatre Program Production Will Run May 8—12, 2018, at the LaGuardia Performing Arts CenterMay 2, 2018
Tony Award winner Stew is collaborating with LaGuardia Community College award-winning Theatre Program to launch a brand new musical called “Columbus is Happening.”
Stew describes “Columbus is Happening” as an ode to Queens—particularly, our legacy as a landing spot for immigrants to the U.S. As Stew describes, “Everything good about this country and about Queens was born of people’s resistance.”
It’s a lively rendition filled with dancing, catchy-songs, and memorable one-liners. Lynching, slavery, and immigration are topics in the work, which are woven together with issues and topics of modern day life, such as the life of immigrants living in Queens today.
“I always write with geographic specificity, and I built ‘Columbus is Happening,’ for Queens and for LaGuardia Community College,” says Stew. “To me, Queens is genuine—it’s the New York that I always wanted to come to, and it’s the America I always wanted to live in. I like diversity in art, but that diversity only happens if the environment is genuine. And where else but LaGuardia Community College could we have a 20-person cast from all over the place?”
Students in the cast hail from South Korea, Germany, Belize, Puerto Rico, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Maine, and Portland, Oregon.
LaGuardia Community College, with students from more than 150 countries who speak 96 native languages, has among the most diverse student population of any college nationwide; and Queens is among the most diverse counties of the U.S.
For the past several months, Stew has been coming regularly to LaGuardia to meet with LaGuardia’s theatre students—meetings that have helped inspire his development of the new work—and to attend rehearsals, during which he is often writing or tweaking material (making edits to make it “nice and short and tight” as he says, or stopping a run through to teach a song to an actor).
“Our students have so much to gain from this collaboration between Stew and our Theatre Program,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Students are getting to perform under the guidance and inspiration of a Tony-award winning dramatist and are having the opportunity to watch an emerging work of art come to life. We’re delighted that under Professor Stefanie Sertich’s leadership, our theater program is flourishing and it is a testament to her work that this opportunity comes to LaGuardia student. And a special thank you to Stew for sharing his talents with our students and investing in their futures—investments that are sure to pay back in dividends in the years to come.”
In 2016, Ms. Sertich directed LaGuardia Theatre students in a production of “Passing Strange,” for which Stew took home the Tony Award for Best Book in 2008. LaGuardia’s production was selected for five prestigious awards, including Distinguished Production of a Musical, from the national awards committee of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival—the premiere theatre festival for the more than 700 US colleges and universities with theatre programs.
"Columbus is Happening” will run from May 8 through May 12, in the Little Theater, here at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center of LaGuardia Community College.
Tickets for the eight-run production are on sale for $10 (or $8 for those with a valid student ID). For more info and to buy tickets, visit bit.ly/LGCStew.
Show times are:
May 8 — 7:30p.m.
May 9 — 2:30p.m. and 7:30p.m.
May 10 — 7:30p.m.
May 11 — 2:30p.m. and 7:30p.m.
May 12 — 2:30p.m. and 7:30p.m.
• • • •
About the LaGuardia Community College Theatre Program Under the direction of Stefanie Sertich since 2011, LaGuardia theatre students have received numerous regional and national recognition at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, the premiere theatre program for the more than 700 two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide with theatre programs. Graduates of LaGuardia’s theatre program have transferred to highly-competitive, audition-based programs at four-year colleges, including Boston University, Pace University, Marymount of Manhattan, The New School, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, Lehman College, Queens College, Dean College, SUNY New Paltz and others. As well, several LaGuardia theatre students have been selected for scholarships to study at prestigious theatre conservatory programs including the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and Margolis Method Training Center in Barcelona. Visit www.laguardia.edu/Theater/ to learn more.
About LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.
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