• Welcome

    The Student Technology Mentors (STM) program, under the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), assists students and faculty in exploring the use of digital media in the classroom. STMs receive intensive training and unique experiences that prepare them for success in education and careers. They work closely with LaGuardia faculty, helping them design, create, utilize and maintain technology-enriched teaching resources. Many STMs have gone on to pursue careers in various technology concentrations at four-year colleges. Several have remained on the center’s staff as instructional design assistants (IDA), ePortfolio consultants, student success mentors (SSM) and peer advisors.


    STMs reflect the economic and demographic diversity of the LaGuardia student body. For some STMs, this is a first-time working experience. The STM program eases them into a professional setting and expectations and provides them with crucial work experience. The STM position focuses students' energy at the College and helps them acquire new perspectives on learning and teaching — even as they gain entry-level access to rewarding professional careers. Among our culturally diverse STMs are students born in Afghanistan, Burma, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, USA, Yemen, Zambia,  and many other countries.

  • STM home Covid




  • If students require assistance with any technology tool (ePortfolio, Microsoft Office, DropBox, Zoom, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Microsoft Teams, or any other tool they are using in class), they can reach out to a Student Technology Mentor (STM) via email at stm@lagcc.cuny.edu and an STM will get back to them sharing specific resources or to make a brief 15-minute appointment.






  • STM Program


    The STM program offers an opportunity for selected LaGuardia Community College students to learn new skills and contribute to the center's broader initiative. The program provides instructional technology support for LaGuardia's faculty and students. The Student Technology Mentors receive in-depth training and unique experiences that prepare them for success in education and careers while providing instructional technology support to the college community.



    Training

    Prior to beginning their work with students and faculty, STMs go through a semester-long training program, led by CTL staff Pablo Avila and Ali Abdallah, where they learn the computer applications used by faculty in their web-enhanced courses for teaching and learning. STMs provide assistance in the application of instructional technologies in various programs of the college — FYS Studio Hour and Capstone classes with ePortfolio, library classes, ACE, and individual assistance on faculty web-based projects.


    The STM training continues through the following semester with weekly sessions offering advanced software training conducted by Ali Abdallah. STMs are also introduced to digital photography, scanning images and text, and photo editing. In addition, Mr.Avila facilitates discussions on workplace relationships and the educational role of the STM. The weekly sessions provide STMs with the opportunity to share their work experience, ask questions, get feedback, and receive continued support from the CTL staff as well as from one another. In addition to the direct connections made with faculty and CTL staff, STMs develop a community of mutual support that helps to open new opportunities for educational and career advancement.


    Work

    STMs work closely with LaGuardia faculty, helping them design, create, utilize and maintain technology-enriched teaching resources. STMs meet with faculty on a weekly basis to help them plan and prepare digital resources, such as online activities, multimedia presentations or revisions to course websites. STMs attend related classes to work as teaching assistants, supplementing the work of faculty and the IT staff and helping students use the digital resources as effective learning tools. Faculty who work with STMs have been effusive in their praise of the students and the value of their assistance.


    Learning Experience

    As part of their learning experience, STMs create a client-based web page using Dreamweaver and an STM job related ePortfolio to advance their proficiency in web page development. STM who have advanced to the Instructional Design Assistant position will continue their training by completing a tutorial project, which may require researching advanced software applications, developing instructional materials about the topic and presenting it to other STMs at a training workshop. The learning advantages to this project are manifold: taking responsibility for their own learning and developing skills in research, writing, production and oral presentation.


  • STM Programs





  • Contact Us


    The Center for Teaching and Learning main office is located in Room M-414.For more information about the STM program, you can contact:

    Pablo Avila

    Pablo Avila

    Program Director
    Room M-403A 
    718-482-5499
    pavila@lagcc.cuny.edu
    Ali Abdallah

    Ali Abdallah

    Program Coordinator
    Room MB-57
    718-482-5402
    aabdallah@lagcc.cuny.edu
    General Inquiries:

    Aarkieva Smith

    Aarkieva Smith

    Room M-414C 
    718-482-5462
    aarkievas@lagcc.cuny.edu
    Jesse Wolfe

    Jesse Wolfe

    Room M-414
    718-482-5462
    jwolfe@lagcc.cuny.edu



  • STM Reflections


    "Being an STM is a rewarding experience. I am able to help people with little things that will eventually help them achieve their goal; also at the same time you learn from them.”

    –Paola Salcedo


    “The STM job allows me to help people while learning from them; I also get to learn about new technology.”

    –Chaimae Wardei


    “The program helps me to stay up to date with new technology skills and tools.”

    –Md Torikol


    “As a student, it can be difficult to manage your time. This job offers the flexible schedule to succeed in class.”

    –Rey Francis