April 2025 Winners

Michael Lawrence

Lecturer
Engineering Technology

Anyone who knows Michael Lawrence knows he is a champion of student success. And, as someone with 30 years of experience in technology management, he understands that cloud computing and generative artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly define what that success means.

David Mannes, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Success Specialist, who nominated Michael for the C.A.R.E.S. Award said, “Over the past two years, I had the opportunity to co-teach “Boot-camp Winter Tech Training” with Professor Lawrence, a program that has proven essential in preparing our students to begin their apprenticeships at major Fortune 500 companies. During that time, he shared stories from his careers within the business, technology, and aerospace fields, which gave students an expansive picture of what professional corporate life is like.”

“It is vital that students develop the mindset of employers,” said Michael, a Queensborough alum, graduated in 2014 with an associate in applied sciences (A.A.S.) degree in Information and Technology. His academic experience as a student and ten-year teaching career at Queensborough was preceded as a student in the United States Air Force Academy where he earned a degree in astronautical engineering.

At Queensborough he teaches courses centered around the development of digital systems related to websites, cloud computing, Ruby on Rails and generative AI. “Technology is in the front seat and its rapid changes are what drive the sought after skills of communication, teamwork, customer focus, leadership, and critical thinking.”

Partnerships at Queensborough have helped to support these skills. The CUNY Innovation Challenge (now CUNY I-Corps) is designed for students to transfer their knowledge into creating products and services that benefit society. Máteo Saenz, ’19, who graduated from Queensborough with an associate in science (A.S.) in biotechnology, participated in the highly competitive 2017 CUNY and Capital One Community College Innovation Challenge. He developed the winning pitch Eagle-I, an autonomous robot designed to help emergency responders by using biotechnology sensors and AI to find survivors and save lives. Máteo was also the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps program.

Off campus, Queensborough has partnered with the NY Jobs CEO Council and Amazon Web Services (AWS). “Employers in all fields are seeking AWS Certification. Solutions architects and cloud security professionals are the new foundations of any successful business effort and Queensborough is looked to for providing that instruction,” said Michael. 

Through these relationships Queensborough students have participated in apprenticeship programs (many were hired) at Bank of America, Chase, Bloomberg, TD Bank, American Express, Deloitte and Accenture, among other Fortune 500 companies.

Michael’s expertise, generosity and dedication to his students have extended to David who added, “He has been an extremely helpful and caring mentor to me as a newer staff member at Queensborough, creating space for me to lead a service-learning project under his guidance, and giving me valuable pedagogical advice.”

Even ChatGPT chimed in on the kudos. “Congratulations, Michael on being recognized at QCC that honors individuals like you who support student success and the entire campus community!”

Anna Gagliano

College Assistant
Advocacy Resource Center

In these times, students are more overwhelmed than ever when faced with a housing crisis, lack of affordable healthcare and food insecurity. Indeed, the need for the food pantry has increased significantly this year, with demand far surpassing previous years. 

What all this means is a lot more student traffic at the Advocacy Resource Center (ARC). First stop, Anna’s desk. 

“When I think of an employee who is kind and dedicated, I think of Anna,” said Amawati Gomesh, ARC’s Student Life Manager, who nominated Anna for the C.A.R.E.S. Award. “She is the first person to greet students, and it is no surprise that each year she has grown in her role. Whether it is scheduling student appointments, updating the department database, helping students enroll in health insurance so they can join an athletic team at the College, or just making our students feel welcomed in our office, it is all done with kindness, caring and patience.”

“QCC really shows up for students making sure there is an abundance of support services right here on campus,” said Anna, a College Assistant in the ARC for seven years. 

And boy, are there!

Benefit screenings for SNAP (food stamps), cash assistance, unemployment benefits, legal assistance, financial coaching, Fair Fares NYC reduced Metro Cards (eligible students receive a 50% discount on either subway and eligible bus fares, or Access-A-Ride), New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) applications and renewals, housing lotteries through Housing Connect and emergency referrals for NYC shelters and Youth Shelters/Drop-in Centers.

And with tax season nearing its deadline, Anna has been invaluable in coordinating the steady influx of students who need one-on-one help and assisting staff with conducting Zoom sessions and in-person appointments.

“Anna is gifted with a special amount of patience,” added Amawati. “Her excellent listening skills are essential when answering the phone, responding to email requests, or walk-ins. Her multi-tasking skills are impeccable and appreciated.”

“I love interacting with people every day and working with such great colleagues,” said Anna, who was raised in the Queens neighborhood of Whitestone, and received her bachelor’s degree in finance from St. John’s University. “It is extremely rewarding to see the change of expression in a student’s face from anxiety to relief, knowing they have a plan, a course of action toward a successful college experience that will open doors and make a real difference in their lives.”