LaGuardia Community College Selects The Switzer Group to Design State-of-the-art Cohen Career Collective Project

LaGuardia Community College Selects The Switzer Group to Design State-of-the-art Cohen Career Collective Project
The Switzer Group project team for the LaGuardia Community College Cohen Career Collective
Credit: © 2025 The Switzer Group

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (January 24, 2025) — LaGuardia Community College/CUNY has selected The Switzer Group to lead the design of the Cohen Career Collective.

The Switzer Group will manage a team of architects and engineers to construct the Cohen Career Collective, a 160,000-square-foot state-of-the-art workforce training center on the LaGuardia campus in Long Island City.

In March 2024, The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by philanthropist and New York Mets owner Alex Cohen, awarded a grant of $116.2 million to LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, to create the Cohen Career Collective. This is the largest gift ever presented to a community college in the United States, and the largest donation awarded to a college in the City University of New York (CUNY).

LaGuardia issued a Request for Proposals for architectural services in July 2024. Eighteen firms responded, and thirteen firms submitted proposals. The firms were evaluated based on expertise and experience with similar projects. Following interviews, the selection committee selected The Switzer Group.

The Switzer Group (TSG) is an award-winning global design firm with a rich 50-year legacy of excellence in interior architecture, design, planning, and strategy. Founded in 1975, TSG is dedicated to driving innovation in the design industry by pushing boundaries and creating spaces that are seamlessly integrated with their site, program, and people. The firm is renowned for its design excellence, hands-on leadership, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

With offices in New York and Los Angeles, and a broad reach in international markets, TSG’s extensive portfolio spans a variety of sectors, including education, technology, media, finance, entertainment, and not-for-profit. Notable educational projects include St. John’s University, Columbia University, St. Francis College, the University of Buffalo, Fordham University, and the ConEdison Learning Center.

As a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) firm, The Switzer Group emphasizes collaboration with clients, project managers, architects, and engineers to deliver technology-driven, integrated design solutions that meet project goals. Recognized as one of Interior Design Magazine’s “Top 100 Giants” since 1977, TSG continues to lead the industry with innovative design and shaping environments that inspire and elevate the end-user experience.

“We are honored to be selected for this impactful 160,000 square foot project for the Cohen Career Collective at LaGuardia Community College, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in business,” said Lou Switzer, CEO of the Switzer Group. “This project represents a significant milestone in our journey and a continued commitment to fostering opportunities and driving excellence in all our endeavors. We are excited to bring our expertise to this important development led by our Principal, Gregory G Gresham, AIA, NCARB, and to contribute to the continued success of LaGuardia Community College’s mission.”

“We look forward to working with The Switzer Group on this very special project. We value their experience and expertise, and we look forward to working with their team,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. “We are profoundly grateful to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for their generous support of the Cohen Career Collective, which will be the largest career and technical training facility of its kind in the region, offering programs to prepare New Yorkers of all ages, backgrounds, and educational levels for good jobs in high-growth sectors of our local economy.”

About The Cohen Career Collective

The Cohen Career Collective will be a state-of-the-art workforce training center at LaGuardia Community College. Made possible by a historic gift of $116.2 million from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by Alex Cohen, the 160,000 square-foot facility in Long Island City, Queens, will ensure the economic mobility of New Yorkers while providing skilled workers for local employers. The Cohen Career Collective will include specialized shops, labs, and classrooms for hands-on instruction and training. It will also have quiet study areas, student meeting rooms, a Career Services Center, computer labs, a lecture hall, storage areas for equipment and materials, restrooms, locker rooms, mechanical rooms, electrical/data closets, and a Student Welcome Center. This was a dream of Alex Cohen’s.

Education and training programs at the Cohen Career Collective will lead to associate degrees, industry certifications, and other credentials valued by New York City employers in high-demand sectors, including Healthcare, Construction, Technology, Culinary & Hospitality, Green Jobs, and Film and Television. Comprehensive student support services, such as career advising, preparation for job interviews, job placement, childcare, and financial literacy training, will be available. In addition to career and technical training, the Cohen Career Collective will provide English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for foreign-born students who need to improve their English before taking vocational programs. High-school equivalency classes will be offered to ensure that trainees obtain their GEDs. Construction of the facility is anticipated to be completed by January 2029.

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Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. The Foundation’s grants support nonprofit organizations based in the United States that either help people in need or solve complex problems.

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.

The Switzer Group is an award-winning, MBE-certified global design firm with a 50-year legacy of excellence in interior architecture, planning, design and strategy. Founded in 1975 by Lou Switzer, the firm has continually pushed the boundaries of design, creating environments that reflect clients’ values while enhancing productivity and well-being. Known for its holistic and integrated approach, The Switzer Group excels in crafting spaces that are seamlessly connected to their site, program, and people. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, TSG’s extensive portfolio spans diverse sectors, including education, finance, technology, media, entertainment, and government.

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