Accelerated College Transition (ACT)
LaGuardia’s ACT program is a collaboration between LaGuardia Community College and Queensboro Correctional Facility (QCF), a short-term New York State transitional correctional facility located directly across the street from LaGuardia. Through this partnership, LaGuardia provides credit-bearing and continuing-education courses in prison for incarcerated men at Queensboro who are interested in furthering their education and employment opportunities.
ACT also provides students transitional support to enroll and register at LaGuardia once they are released from prison or while on work/education release from QCF.
This program is part of the U.S. Second Chance Act and funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. ACT is designed for individuals at QCF in general population, work release, and education release. Prior to the launch of ACT in 2023, LAGCC faculty began teaching in QCF in 2017 and have been participating in QCF’s resource fair since 2014.
The ACT program has made my transition to college easier by providing support and resources. I first met [the Co-Principal Investigators of ACT] Dr. Joni Schwartz and Professor John Chaney while incarcerated, and they continued to support me after my release…Their guidance has given me confidence in my classes and a sense of community. I don’t think I could’ve made this transition without them
College Courses at Queensboro Correctional Facility
ACT currently offers the following credit bearing courses pre-release:
- Introduction to College
- Creative Writing
- English 101
- Non-Verbal Communication
- Public Speaking
ACT students have the opportunity to pursue all majors offered at LaGuardia, and can earn between 3 to 6 credits while at Queensboro.
Continuing Education Courses at Queensboro Correctional Facility
ACT currently offers the following Continuing Education courses pre-release:
- OSHA-30 & Site Safety Training (SST)
- GED
- Small Business
- ESOL
Supportive Services in Enrolling/Registering in College
ACT supports all returning citizens in the college experience with the following services:
- Case Management
- College Transfer Assistance
- Mentoring
- Fatherhood Academy
- LaGuardia Cares
Supportive Services in Enrolling/Registering in College
ACT supports all returning citizens in the college experience with the following services:
- Case Management & Mentoring
- College Transfer Assistance – Both for LaGuardia’s AA degree as well as for AA & BA degrees elsewhere.
- Fatherhood Academy – Fatherhood Academy provides fathers between the ages of 18 and 30 who are unemployed or underemployed support while they complete their degrees.
- LaGuardia CARES – LaGuardia CARES provides resources for students’ daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, housing and rent, utilities, childcare, medical expenses, and more.
- Early Childhood Learning Center – LaGuardia’s on-campus childcare.
- Health Services Center – Through the Health Services Center, students can receive free medical services, consultations, and referrals.
- Student Technology Helpdesk – The Student Technology Helpdesk provides support to students with technological issues and assistance in accessing LaGuardia program platforms. Students can visit the Student Technology Helpdesk in B127.
- Media Services at LAGCC’s Library – Through the Media Services department at LAGCC’s Library, students can borrow Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops to ensure they have a reliable device to complete their coursework. Students can loan equipment for 7 days at a time.
- Virtual Enrollment One Stop – Students can meet virtually with staff from these offices every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom: Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services, Student Information Center, Transfer Credit Evaluation, and Testing offices.
Furthermore, ACT participants who completed OHSA-30 & SST training at Queensboro can continue their HVAC training at LaGuardia.
Supportive Services in Enrolling/Registering in College
ACT supports all returning citizens in the college experience with the following services:
- Case Management & Mentoring
- College Transfer Assistance – Both for LaGuardia’s AA degree as well as for AA & BA degrees elsewhere.
- Fatherhood Academy – Fatherhood Academy provides fathers between the ages of 18 and 30 who are unemployed or underemployed support while they complete their degrees.
- LaGuardia CARES – LaGuardia CARES provides resources for students’ daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, housing and rent, utilities, childcare, medical expenses, and more.
- Early Childhood Learning Center – LaGuardia’s on-campus childcare.
- Health Services Center – Through the Health Services Center, students can receive free medical services, consultations, and referrals.
- Student Technology Helpdesk – The Student Technology Helpdesk provides support to students with technological issues and assistance in accessing LaGuardia program platforms. Students can visit the Student Technology Helpdesk in B127.
- Media Services at LAGCC’s Library – Through the Media Services department at LAGCC’s Library, students can borrow Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops to ensure they have a reliable device to complete their coursework. Students can loan equipment for 7 days at a time.
- Virtual Enrollment One Stop – Students can meet virtually with staff from these offices every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom: Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services, Student Information Center, Transfer Credit Evaluation, and Testing offices.
Furthermore, ACT participants who completed OHSA-30 & SST training at Queensboro can continue their HVAC training at LaGuardia.
Complete an Associate Degree at LaGuardia
ACT is designed for individuals at QCF in general population, work release and education release.
LaGuardia offers Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Classes.
“Complete an Associate Degree and Make Your Dreams Come True”
Contact Us
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Professor John R. Chaney Co-Principal Investigator and Professor of Social Sciences | jchaney@lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Dr. Joni Schwartz-Chaney Co-Principal Investigator and Professor of Humanities | jschwartz@lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Nicolette Natale Prison to College Liaison | nicolette.natale48@lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Matthew Wilson Program Coordinator, Correctional Education Partnership | mawilson@lagcc.cuny.edu |
Books by ACT Principal Investigators
Support ACT
To support ACT students’ academic careers at LaGuardia, please consider making a gift to the Making Higher Education Happen scholarship fund for returning citizens through the LaGuardia Community College Foundation.
Thank you for your support of ACT and your commitment to removing barriers to higher education.