LaGuardia Community College Hosts CUNY Queens Legislative Breakfast
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (February 4, 2026) — LaGuardia Community College/CUNY welcomed city and state elected officials, administrators from the City University of New York (CUNY), and college presidents from CUNY colleges across Queens, for the CUNY Queens Legislative Breakfast on January 30. The annual event focused on strengthening collaboration, celebrating recent accomplishments, and outlining shared priorities for public higher education.
The program began with opening remarks from Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College, who welcomed attendees to the newly renovated home of the LaGuardia & Wagner Archives, on the 7th floor of the college’s C-Building.
The event was attended by elected officials including Congress Member Grace Meng, Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, Assembly Member Ron Kim, Assembly Member Steven Raga, Assembly Member Claire Valdez, Assembly Member David Weprin, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry and Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams. They were joined by representatives from the offices of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Congress Member Nydia Velázquez, Senator Michael Gianaris, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Senator Jessica Ramos, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Member Larinda Hooks, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Council Member Ty Hankerson, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Council Member Sandra Ung and Council Member Phil Wong.
President Adams recognized the presence and ongoing support of several distinguished elected officials by stating, “their partnership plays a crucial role in ensuring that CUNY continues to expand opportunity, strengthen community ties, and serve New Yorkers across all five boroughs.”
The breakfast featured remarks from Ebony Young, Deputy Borough President of Queens, whose extensive leadership experience spans government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors.
Following her remarks, President Adams introduced the presidents of the Queens-based CUNY colleges which include Interim Dean Natalie Gomez-Velez of CUNY School of Law; President Frank Wu of Queens College; President Christine Mangino of Queensborough Community College; and President Claudia Schrader of York College.
Each leader spoke about their institution’s achievements and priorities, offering a collective vision of how the CUNY system contributes to educational advancement and economic mobility throughout Queens.
President Adams then highlighted LaGuardia’s recent initiatives and accomplishments. These included the opening of Finca la Florecita, the college’s urban garden, located behind the C-Building; the street mural located on the LaGuardia Community Greenway, a new pedestrian-friendly public space developed with support from local officials and the NYC Department of Transportation, and additional updates including new federal funding for the Workforce Success Engine, which expands Pell-eligible workforce programs, as well as significant capital investments secured with the support of the New York City Council to modernize campus facilities such as Shenker Hall and the campus swimming pool.
The breakfast also featured presentations from CUNY Central leadership. President Adams introduced Senior Vice Chancellor Sasha Owen, who led a series of updates alongside Senior Vice Chancellor Kenneth Godiner and Vice Chancellor Mohammed Attalla, focusing on systemwide strategy, workforce initiatives, labor relations, and facilities planning.
In closing, Adams thanked attendees for their continued advocacy and partnership. He emphasized the collective responsibility shared by CUNY campuses and community leaders to expand opportunity, bolster economic growth, and meet the evolving needs of students and families across Queens.
Guests were invited to take a walking tour of the LaGuardia & Wagner Archives and received LaGuardia giveaways, including the college’s signature coffee mug and the 2026 LaGuardia & Wagner Archives calendar.
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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution 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 advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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