HerStory in the Making: Kickoff Event
HerStory in the Making Kick Off Event: Celebrating Alumni Stories, Mentorship, and the Significance of Women as Mentors
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
E-Building, E-500
11:45 a.m.– 2 p.m.
The theme for this year’s HerStory in the Making Kick Off Event is mentorship and the significance of being mentored by women. LAGCC alumni, some of whom work at LAGCC, will discuss themes of mentorship, the significance of women as mentors, while acknowledging women at LAGCC who have impacted their journeys, both at LAGCC and beyond. Following the panel, students are invited to an interactive workshop to write letters/make collages of appreciation to a LAGCC woman faculty, staff or a peer who has inspired them or impacted their lives in some way. All work will be incorporated into a communal showcase on display for the month in the M-building lobby.
Program:
Welcoming Remarks
Keynote Speakers: LaGuardia Alumni, April Cardena and Natasha Scott
Panel Discussion co-moderated by Professors Juline Koken from Human Services & Michele Mills from Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs
Panelists: April Cardena, Natasha Scott, Landon Ranchor, Alex Rivera, Kay Rivera, and Tiffany Johnson
Letter Writing Workshop
Breakout sessions
Presenters: Professor Miguelina Rodriguez, Social Sciences and Karla DeBlasie, The Women’s Center & LGBTQ+ Hub
This breakout session during the WHM Kickoff Event will provide students with a valuable opportunity to harness the power of their breath to navigate challenging emotions. Participants will learn breathwork techniques to integrate into their daily lives, helping them manage intense feelings around academic and personal success. By the end of the workshop, students will have practical tools to foster emotional resilience and enhance their overall well-being.
Presenters: Caridad Munoz, Marketing & External Affairs and Jessica Perez, Center for Career and Professional Development
Participants will explore the power of personal branding as a critical tool for career advancement and self-empowerment. The session will guide women through the steps of crafting an authentic personal brand that highlights their strengths, values, and unique skills, enabling them to stand out in competitive professional landscapes within social media. The workshop will also delve into diverse career pathways, offering insights into overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities unique to women in the workforce.
Presenters: Michele Mills, MA OTR/L, Professor Laguardia Community College, OTA Program; Natasha Scott, MA OTR/L, LAGCC Alumni
Participants will explore the meaning of sexual health, sexuality and intimacy as it applies to their daily lives. In occupational therapy, sexual health is recognized as an important activity of daily living that applies to individuals across the life span. Participants will leave the session empowered to further explore and engage in activities to promote their own sexual health and well-being. Participants will learn the importance of advocating for themselves and others along with incorporating self-empowering practices.
Speaker Bios
April Cardena, Keynote Speaker & Panelist
April Cardena is a first-generation Mexican-American, proud native New Yorker, and nationally recognized political strategist whose career has been defined by impact, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to equity.
Raised in New York City by immigrant parents, April’s path into public service was shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of the barriers facing underserved communities. Over the years, she has become one of the city’s most respected political operatives — earning recognition as a Political Power Players Rising honoree by PoliticsNY and amNewYork, and being named to both the Bronx Power List and Bronx Power Women by Schneps Media. She is also a recipient of the 2024 Latin Impact Award from Noticia NYC and the CUNY Alumni Award for Celebrating Hispanic Success.
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As founding partner of Premier Strategies Inc., April helped build one of New York’s top political consulting firms, recognized by City & State as a Top 100 Political Consulting Firm in both 2023 and 2025. Most recently, she served as Campaign Manager for the historic Marmorato for City Council campaign, reshaping the political landscape of the Bronx, and later went on to serve as Chief of Staff to the Councilwoman — leading strategy, operations, and policy execution at the highest levels of local government.
A lifelong advocate for criminal justice reform and racial equity, April is a proud recipient of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for her commitment to advancing meaningful change. She holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Sciences and earned her Master of Public Administration. A proud alumna of LaGuardia Community College and New York University, she continues to champion pathways of opportunity for first-generation students, women, and under-resourced communities across New York City.
On stage, April speaks candidly about leadership, power, identity, and what it means to build influence while staying rooted in purpose. Her story is not just about political wins — it is about creating seats at tables that were never designed for people like her, and making sure others have the blueprint to follow.
Natasha Scott, Keynote Speaker & Panelist
Natasha Scott, OTR/L, MSOT is a licensed occupational therapist, educator, and leader with over 24 years of experience, 19 of them dedicated to advancing occupational therapy services for neurologically diverse children within public education. A proud alumna of LaGuardia Community College’s OTA program (Class of 2002), she went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus (2007).
Currently serving as a Supervisor of Occupational Therapy with NYC Public Schools, Natasha has held numerous leadership roles, including school-based therapist, evaluator, mentor, and co-creator of the city-wide SEED program. In her supervisory role, she supports and mentors nearly 138 occupational therapists and advocates for high-quality services impacting thousands of students citywide.
A passionate advocate for professional growth and equity in education, Natasha has presented at state and national conferences, contributed to professional learning initiatives with NYSOTA, and guest lectures at LaGuardia Community College. She is a longtime supporter and member of NYSBOTC and remains deeply committed to developing the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners and leaders.
Tiffany Johnson, Panelist
Tiffany Johnson graduated from the LaGuardia Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program in 2020. She currently serves as a Certified Lab Technician in the OTA Department at LaGuardia, where she supports student learning and laboratory instruction. In addition, she practices as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in a sensory gym, providing individualized, play-based interventions to support children’s development. Tiffany is pursuing her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at York College. She values mentorship deeply, continues to seek guidance from trusted mentors, and is committed to offering that same support to emerging practitioners.
Landon Ranchor, Panelist
Landon enjoys strengthening community partnerships and fostering relationships that are mutually beneficial. Landon has spent many years dedicated to student success from working in a school providing literacy-based learning to students that needed to improve their reading and writing levels to working in Higher Education and supporting students in both Student and Academic Affairs. Landon has a passion for student wellness and student success both in and outside of the classroom and has dedicated his career to collaboratively working with faculty, staff, and students to develop programs and supportive services that enhance student’s abilities and knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. He handles everyone he works with in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner that is strength-based and dependent on their autonomy. Landon cares deeply about the people and communities he serves and is deeply committed to social justice. Landon holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing and Planning Development and is a Macro-focused policy social worker.
Alex Rivera, Panelist
Alexandra Rivera is a Student and Partnership Coordinator for the CUNY Spring Forward Healthcare Hub. In her role, Alexandra supports Spring Forward interns as they navigate the professional world and transition into their respective careers while working to secure and maintain partnerships with various healthcare organizations.
Alongside working with students, Alexandra is a student herself. She is currently studying Graphic Design & Digital Marketing at Queens College after receiving an Associate degree at LaGuardia Community College in New Media Technology. Alexandra is dedicated to using media as a form of education and aspires to enhance representation in media. In her free time, Alexandra likes to play video games, read, and make crafts.
Kay Rivera, Panelist
Kay Rivera is an adjunct lecturer in the English Department and works in the ePortfolio Office at the Center for Teaching and Learning. They began at LaGuardia Community College before transferring to Queens College, where they majored in English and minored in Writing. Kay is currently completing their MFA in Popular Fiction Publishing and Writing at Emerson College, where they create LGBTQ+ fantasy fiction. They are dedicated to supporting students’ voices and fostering vibrant literary spaces.
Women’s History Month: HERStory in the Making Committee
| Allia Abdullah-Matta | Rhonda Mouton |
| Deema Bayrakdar | Lauren Navarro |
| Lara Beaty | Landon Ranchor |
| Zoe Collins | Molly Rosner |
| Milena Cuellar | Miguelina Rodriguez |
| Sarah Frantz | Julianne Salazar |
| Jennifer Jensen | Nichole Shippen |
| Lisa Maloney | Grecia Sotelo |
| Mila Menino Diaz | hephzibah strmic-pawl |
| Michael McNabb | Suzanne Uzzilia |
| Lucie Mingla | Anja Vojvodic |
| Garrett Morgan Jr. |