LaGuardia Community College Thanks Community Partners at Annual Holiday Reception
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (December 19, 2025) — LaGuardia Community College/CUNY hosted its annual holiday reception today to thank elected officials and community partners for their collaboration in supporting student success. The event also celebrated the release of the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives 2026 calendar, Gems of Queens: Glimpses into New York City’s Most Diverse Borough, available to the public at no cost by download or hard copy (details below).
This marks the third year the event has been hosted by the Office of LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams in partnership with the Communications and External Affairs Division.
“Each year we invite community organizations that have played a significant part in our work over the past year,” said Manuel (Manny) L. Romero, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs, who emceed the event. “We deeply appreciate all these organizations for their continued support of LaGuardia and our students.”
New York State Assembly Member David I. Weprin attended and shared remarks. Staff members represented U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez and New York State Assembly Members Claire Valdez.
Leaders from numerous community organizations—including 34th Avenue Open Street Coalition, Commonpoint, Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Harvard Business Club of NYC, Long Island City Partnership, Museum of Modern Art, New Immigrants Community Empowerment, New York Peace Institute, NYC Commission on Human Rights, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Hospital, NYCHA REES, Public Housing Community Fund, St Pat’s For All Inc., The Legal Aid Society, Upbound, and the YMCA of Long Island City—joined the celebration.
LaGuardia President Kenneth Adams welcomed guests and expressed gratitude for their support: “Every day we come to work at LaGuardia, I remind our faculty and staff to focus on the second word in our name: community,” he said. “Our success depends on the incredible partnerships we have with elected officials, community-based organizations, and arts and cultural institutions across Queens—especially here in western Queens and Long Island City. These partners open doors for our students through internships, apprenticeships, part-time jobs, and work-study opportunities, and we are deeply grateful for that support.”
He also highlighted LaGuardia’s recent enrollment gains: “This fall, we saw a remarkable 12% increase in degree-seeking enrollment compared to last year—the largest growth among all 26 CUNY colleges,” added President Adams. “That achievement reflects the strength of our connections and our shared commitment to creating opportunities for students. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our community.”
Assembly Member Weprin shared his appreciation for LaGuardia’s role in Queens: “Happy holidays to all. It’s great to see so many people I’ve worked with over the years, said State Assembly Member Weprin, noting that his wife, Ronni Weprin, previously worked at LaGuardia. “LaGuardia is unique. Congratulations on your impressive enrollment figures—I know you’ll continue to grow. One of the wonderful things about LaGuardia is its deep involvement with the community, especially the immigrant community, and its efforts to encourage civic engagement.”
He also reflected on his connection to the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives: “The Archives have been well known for many years. I remember when I was in the City Council, Dr. Richard Lieberman (founding director of the Archives), visited me at City Hall and encouraged me to donate my personal artifacts. The Archives also house much of my father Saul Weprin’s collection from his time in the State Assembly and as Speaker. I want to show my support in any way I can because you’re a great institution.”
Dr. Gretchen Aguiar, project director for the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, introduced the 2026 calendar, Gems of Queens: Glimpses into New York City’s Most Diverse Borough, which features images from its Collections and original work by LaGuardia students.
“The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives is dedicated to preserving and sharing New York City’s history,” said Dr. Aguiar. “Through each month’s images in our 2026 calendar, we offer a glimpse of both continuity and change in Queens—the borough LaGuardia calls home. By engaging students and faculty in research, photography, and storytelling, we enrich our collections and reflect the city’s evolving narratives.”
The calendar includes letters from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. and President Adams and is supported by the Office of the NYC Mayor.
“Looking through the history in this calendar, I see both transformation and continuity in our borough’s fascinating past,” writes Richards. “Back before the bridges and factories and stadiums, Queens was farmland. The people who came for new jobs and opportunities needed what New Yorkers always need: affordable housing and reliable transportation. The calendar shows us how innovation and investment began in Queens as we continue this vital work today.”
Guests also enjoyed photos with Rebel the Red Hawk, the college’s mascot, and a performance by the LaGuardia Community College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor and Music Performance Program Director Tom Dempsey. Ensemble members include Jennifer Rusek (vocals), Javante Smith (tenor saxophone), Juan Ortiz Rubio (guitar), Shamar Stoddard (bass), and Joshua Griffin (drums). Two of the students, Smith and Stoddard, have been selected to participate in From Harlem to Havana: Musical Intensive in Cuba this January alongside other CUNY music students. The two-week course at the Universidad de las Artes in Havana will explore Cuban music through lectures, coaching, and ensemble rehearsals.
Guests received holiday cookies baked by LaGuardia Nutrition & Culinary students, along with LaGuardia mugs and tote bags.
The 2026 Gems of Queens calendar may be viewed or downloaded for free on the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives website. Printed copies may be requested by calling (718) 482-5065.
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The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY chronicles the past 150 years of New York City history, with a growing focus on Queens and the outer boroughs. Housing more than two million documents, and with 100,000 photographs digitized and accessible on its website, the Archives serves students, scholars, journalists, policy makers, and exhibition planners. Collections include the records of the New York City Council and the New York City Housing Authority; explorations into Queens local history and LGBTQ activism in Queens; as well as selected documents from the administrations of Mayors Fiorello H. LaGuardia, William O’Dwyer, Robert F. Wagner, John V. Lindsay, Abraham D. Beame, Edward I. Koch, David Dinkins, and Rudolph Giuliani.
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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