President's Report for March 2024

Center for Excellence in Teaching and learning (CETL)   

The Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) will be hosting a series of Common Read events from March 18-22. These events are based on the text for 2023-2024 Common Read-- Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus.  The book is a delightful blend of humor, intellect, and a poignant reflection on societal norms, especially surrounding women in the sciences during the 1960’s. Students will have a chance for analyzing the theme of challenging gender roles (and other themes) in 1950/60s America. Common Read is a high impact practice that promotes integrative learning across the curriculum through multi-disciplinary approaches to a common text. The events provide an opportunity for increased social and academic engagement while supporting the learning that takes place in the classroom. More information about Common Read is available here.​  

All Faculty are encouraged to visit the CETL and OET homepages to see a complete listing of all upcoming events and professional development opportunities.   

Con Edison STEM Tuition Waiver   

The Con Edison STEM Tuition Waiver Scholarship for Undocumented and International Students helped another six recipients to take one tuition-free STEM Course in the Spring 2024 semester.  

Office of Educational Technology (OET)   

Update on the Transition to Brightspace 

The transition to Brightspace has begun at Queensborough. As of today, all faculty have access to Brightspace to create practice sites in the LMS, allowing faculty to learn and play in Brightspace with access to the tools and features CUNY has implemented at this stage of the transition. Instructions for creating a practice site can be found on the LMS transition website. The initial migration of courses from Summer 2023 was completed on December 15, 2023. The new Summer 2024 course shells will be created in Brightspace by mid-April. 

During the migration process every effort is made to identify matching functionality between Blackboard and Brightspace. Each piece of your course content will be carefully migrated as cleanly and completely as possible. However, there may be instances where functionality doesn't quite match, requiring you to conduct a post-migration review and make adjustments accordingly. As a reminder, only the course content and the course structure will be migrated to Brightspace. Student rosters, activity data, grades, submissions will not be migrated.   

Brightspace Training 

In addition to these resources, QCC faculty are now enrolled in the Brightspace Resource Course for Instructors. This self-paced training introduces the basics of course building, assignments, and quizzes, as well as resources to get started. Faculty will see the course in the dashboard when logging in at brightspace.cuny.edu using their CUNY Login Credentials.  

Over the spring 2024 semester, CUNY will be offering the following live-webinar style Brightspace Basic Series of Training. Workshops will cover the following topics: Getting Started in Brightspace, ABC’s of Content, Engaging Learners, and Assessing Learning. Faculty are encourage to REGISTER for one or more of the workshops (delivered via Zoom).  

Brightspace Technical Support and Resources 

We understand that change can be challenging, but we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. The Office of Educational Technology will be here to support you every step of the way. In partnership, the Office of Educational Technology, the Office of Information Technology and the Faculty Champions will coordinate the implementation for faculty, students, and administrators, and will provide the necessary support and resources to ensure a successful transition to Brightspace.  

The following websites are intended to be a resource for updates, training, course conversion, help documentation, and support and will be updated regularly so please check back often. 

• CUNY’s Transition to Brightspace: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/  
• QCC’s Transition to Brightspace: https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/brightspace/  

Technical Support 

• For questions about the Transition Project, please contact [email protected]  
• For technical questions, please contact [email protected]  

 If you are interested in training:   

• CUNY Instructor Training Series   
• Brightspace Guided Training   
• D2L Website   

To see frequently asked questions about the LMS transition visit  
Our Brightspace LMS FAQ page   

Additional considerations: QM Rubric 

Follow the QM Rubric to review and improve course quality and accessibility for Brightspace.  

Enrollment Management Update 

The Office of Academy Advisement is preparing for the summer/fall 2024 enrollment cycle. As spring 2024 caseloads have been finalized, students are receiving personalized welcome letters from their advisors, as well as messages from the Office of Marketing and Communications to kick off March as “Advising Month”. Academy Advisement will host three (3) events for adviser professional development in March. On Wednesday, March 6 and 13, they will host faculty and department chairs for an update on course curriculum to the advisement community. On Tuesday, March 18, they will have a student services panel update the advising community on policies and procedures. They will also host two (2) student-centered events in March, including an in-person tabling event with Tiger Advisers on Tuesday, March12 to promote advising month and help students schedule appointments with advisers on the spot. The second event will take place on Thursday, March 14, an Instagram live session to discuss the importance of early advisement and registration with students. Academy Advisement will continue to offer a hybrid model of virtual and in-person appointments, as well as daily walk-in services.  

Student Athletics 

The QCC Men’s Indoor Track & Field Team 2024 CUNYAC (City University of New York Athletic Conference) Community College Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday evening at the Nike Track & Field Center at the Armory. Competing against CUNY senior colleges along with BMCC and Kingsborough, the Tigers turned in a strong effort at the championship meet. QCC student David Adekoya was the overall conference champion in the 60-meter hurdles, winning the race outright in 8.98. He was also the top community college performer in the 60-meter dash, finishing second overall at 7.32. Adekoya also finished second overall in the long jump with a leap of 6.08m. Also, QCC student (and SGA Treasurer) Renaediaz Miller took bronze in a pair of distance events, including the 800m (2:11.35) and the mile (4:50.42).  

Queensborough’s 63rd Annual Commencement Ceremony 

QCC's 63rd Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place in-person on Friday, May 31 at 10:00 am on the Athletic Field. Please join us in celebration of this important academic milestone reached by our students, with remarks from President Dr. Christine Mangino, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, Faculty Leaders, and special guest speakers. This year’s commencement marshals are as follows: 

• Grand Marshal: Dr. Emily Tai (Professor, Department of History)  
• VIP Marshal: Mr. Michael Verdino (Director of Academy Advisement)  
• HEO Marshal: Ms. Bonnie Flaherty (Director of CUNY Start)  
• Faculty Marshal: Dr. Kerri-Ann Smith (Faculty Fellow for DEI)  
• A.A. Degree Marshal: Dr. Jeffery Jankowski (Chairperson, Department of Social Sciences)  

• A.S. Degree Marshal: Dr. Maria Mercedes Franco (Professor, Department of Mathematics & Computer Sciences)  
• A.A.S. Degree & Certificate Marshal: Mr. Marvin Gayle (Chairperson, Department of Engineering Technology)  

For more information about this year’s ceremony, visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/commencement!  

Student Support Resources 

• Faculty and staff are asked to encourage students to avail themselves of the valuable and free resources through the Advocacy Resource Center. Services provided include public benefits screening, financial coaching, legal assistance, tax preparation services, housing assistance, food pantry referrals, and more.  

• Representatives from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will help students and their family members prepare and e-file their income tax return both virtually and in-person for free. Virtual sessions will be held every Wednesday beginning January 31, 2024, and ending on April 10, 2024. In-person sessions will be held every Friday beginning February 2,2024 and ending on April 12,2024. Pre-registration is required. As such, students should call the Advocacy Resource Center at (718) 631-6347 or email [email protected]. Session days and times are as follows: 

• Wednesdays (Zoom) 11:00 am- 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm 
• Fridays 9:30 am- 12:30 pm and Fridays 1:30 pm– 4:30 pm. 

• Emergency funding is available to students who face a financial crisis that puts at risk their continued enrollment toward their QCC degree. Supported through a grant from The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, the funds provide one-time, emergency grants to students in good standing with short-term financial emergencies to enable them to remain in school, rather than being forced to leave or drop out. Students with short-term financial emergencies should be referred to Ms. Amawati Gonesh, Advocacy Resource Center Program Manager, via email at [email protected]. Additional information can be found online at QCC Scholarships.  

• The New York State Transfer and Articulation Association (NYSTAA) Scholarship is now accepting applications from eligible students who anticipate they will complete their associate degree by August 2024 and plan to attend a current four-year NYSTAA member institution in fall 2024. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2024. For full details, visit the NYSTAA website. 

• The Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity is not a traditional scholarship focused on rewarding academic achievement and financial need. Its specific goal is to reward and encourage innovative and creative problem solving. The scholarship aims to honor students who excel as creative problem solvers and to help make their higher education goals more accessible. The award amount is $5,000 per year and the deadline to apply is May 15, 2024. Learn more about the Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity by visiting their website. 

• The 2024 Abbey Duncan Brownfield Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. The program provides financial support to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the brownfield industry in New York City. The deadline to apply is April 24, 2024.  

• The Finch College Alumni Community College Transfer Scholarship application period is now open for all eligible female students. The scholarships, worth $5000, are awarded to second-year female community college students who will graduate from QCC at the conclusion of spring 2024 and transfer to a four-year university for fall 2024. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2024. 

Upcoming Events 

• Free HIV Testing by Northwell Health will be available on Wednesdays March 13, March 20, March 27, and April 3 in the Office of Health Services (Medical Arts Building – Room MC02) from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.  

• The Aids Center of Queens County (ACQC) will provide free HIV Testing on Tuesday, March 19 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Office of Health Services (Medical Arts Building – Room MC02). They will also be present on Wednesday, April 3 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Student Union – Upper Level as part of the annual spring blood drive.  

• The Advocacy Resource Center (ARC) at QCC is working to fight food insecurity on campus on Tuesdays beginning March 19, and ending on May 21, (except for April 23 and April 30) due to spring break. ARC will be distributing free fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items as part of CUNY's Fresh Food Bag Program in the Administration Building, 1st Floor (in front of QCC food Pantry) from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.  

• Students with questions about this year’s ceremony are invited to register for one of our Commencement Webinars for Class of 2024 Graduates, taking place on Wednesday, March 27 and Wednesday, May 1. During the webinar, students will receive information about the ceremony, completing the remainder of their degree requirements during the summer 2024 session, applying for transfer to a 4-year college/university for fall 2024, and more. Space is limited to only 300 students.  

• The Office of Health Services will host the Annual Spring Blood Drive, in collaboration with the New York Blood Center on Thursday, March 28 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Student Union – Upper Level. There is an ongoing blood supply shortage that strains the ability of our community to meet the critical health needs of its people. As a member of the Queensborough community you can make a difference. Every drop counts. All students, faculty and staff are welcome. To donate blood, you must be 17 years of age, or older, and weigh at least 110 pounds and have not received a tattoo or body piercings within the past year. Please be sure to eat a meal before attending the blood drive.  

• The Office of Health Services will host their Annual Wellness Festival/Health Fair on Wednesday, April 3 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Student Union – Upper Level. The event is open to all QCC students as well as faculty & staff, and will feature information tabling, free health screenings and giveaway items. 

                                                     2024 Partners for Progress Gala 

Wednesday, May 15th  

Terrace on the Park 

Please save the date and stay tuned for more exciting details!  

                                                                          Art Gallery  

The QCC Art Gallery will present short films in the Gallery Theater, as follows:  

• The Legacy of Jackson Heights - Celebrating and Mourning Julio Rivera on Feb 20, 21 and 22, 2024.  

Richard Shpuntoff will be sharing short works with Students and Faculty from the Film and Media Production program. 

April 10 to June 7, 2024, the Gallery will host the “Juried Student Exhibition” in collaboration with the Art Department.   

In the spring semester, the Gallery will have two students from Flushing International High School, one from Bayside High School, and 5 interns from the QCC Art and Design Department.  

                                                                 Kupferberg Holocaust Center  

KHC ORIGINAL EXHIBITION: 

The Concentration Camps: Inside the Nazi System of Incarceration and Genocide 

On View and Online 

https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu/camps/  

The KHC offers self-guided audio tours of this original exhibition which surveys the scope and brutality of the Nazi system of incarceration and genocide, underscoring the horrific consequences of antisemitism, racism, and authoritarianism. In addition to the exhibit’s text, images, and artifacts, personal testimonies from local Holocaust survivors offer painful insights into these excruciating landscapes of degradation and dehumanization. This exhibit is curated by Dr. Cary Lane, KHC 2020-21 Curator-in-Residence and Associate Professor of English at QCC.  

Email the Center at [email protected] to schedule a class tour.  

PROGRAMMING: 

For a list of all public programming offered in the Spring 2024 semester, visit: https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu/events-2/ 

KHC & QCC-CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Collaboration:  
‘Bent’ Film Screening 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. EST – in person in LB-29 

“BENT” is also available to screen via Kanopy for QCC students and faculty.  

Human Rights and the Museum Series: 
Identity in Context: Building the American LGBTQ+ Museum. 

Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. EDT – Virtual Event 

Ben Garcia, the Museum’s Executive Director 

Suhaly Bautista-Carolina, Director of Public Programs & Partnership  

KHC & QCC-CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Collaboration:  

Outlawing Homosexuality in Nazi Germany: Reflections on the film, “BENT.” 

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. EDT – Virtual Event 

 Dr. Jake Newsome, Author of Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming Out in the Shadow of the Holocaust 

Dr. Kerry Whigham, Assistant Professor of Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University and Co-Director of its Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention 

 KHC-NEH Lecture:  

Paragraph 175: The Contemporary Impact of Nazi-era Homophobia and Persecution 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. EDT – Virtual Event 

Dr. Jake Newsome, Author of Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming Out in the Shadow of the Holocaust 

KHC & QCC-CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Collaboration: 

Letters from Anne and Martin: Live Performance 

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. EDT – in person at QPAC 

Performers from the Anne Frank Center 

KHC & QCC-CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium Collaboration: 

Performance as Witness: Recognizing the Rhetoric that Leads to Violence  

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EDT 

Dr. Alexander Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Prevention at Rutgers University 

Recordings for any virtual or hybrid programs will be available on the KHC website: https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu/recordings/ 

Visit the Education page of the KHC website at https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu/education/  

for a complete listing of our comprehensive library guides and to view recorded events  

from our past NEH colloquia. 

Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC)  

Sunday, March 17, 2024 – 3:00 p.m.  

MALEVO!  

MALEVO - the “South American Sensation” is a thrilling all-male group specializing in Malambo – a traditional Argentine folk dance of great virility and dexterity. The troupe takes Malambo beyond its limit with a modern approach, while still staying true to the cultural foundations of this traditional gaucho artform. Considered the cultural ambassadors of Argentina, MALEVO has performed with Ricky Martin and Cirque du Soleil and received the coveted Golden Buzzer on the TV hit show America’s Got Talent. MALEVO brings live music and virtuosic dancing to the stage, for an exhilarating and engaging show that is perfect for the entire family. $35 - $60   

Saturday, March 30, 2024 – 8:00 p.m.  

An Evening with Isaac Mizrahi  

The name Isaac Mizrahi is synonymous with the essence of iconic American fashion. However, not only a fashion designer, but Isaac Mizrahi has also worked extensively in the entertainment industry as a performer, host, writer, and producer for over 30 years. He was most recently seen as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of CHICAGO and has an annual residency at Café Carlyle in New York City. Isaac has also performed at various venues across the country such as Joe’s Pub, The Regency Ballroom, and several City Winery locations nationwide. Accompanied by his band of jazz musicians, Mizrahi will perform a range of tunes from the American songbook and Broadway. He will dish on everything and leave no stone unturned. The New York Times noted that he qualifies as  

the “founding father” of a new genre of entertainment that fuses performance art, music, and stand-up comedy. $40 - $65   

Saturday, April 6, 2024 – 8:00 p.m.  

UPTOWN  

This show is not to be missed! The men of UPTOWN present top-tier vocals and invigorating choreography in a unique and modern show that gets every crowd on their feet! This group exudes unparalleled energy with their blend of classic Motown music and contemporary radio hits. UPTOWN is about to take you on a first-class trip through the melodies you love, with a fresh new feel that will leave you screaming for more. Straight out of NYC, these young men will sing and dance their way into your hearts (and out of your seats). With the styling of the Temptations, vocals like Stevie Wonder and Smokie Robinson and the energy and contemporary feel of Bruno Mars, everyone is going UPTOWN! $35 - $60   

Children’s Book Club and Performance Series Events: 

March 15, 2024 - Harriet Tubman 

March 18, 2024 – Peter Pan 

March 19, 2024 – Chinese Acrobats 

March 20, 2024 – Chamber Theatre 

March 21, 2024 – The Paper Bag Players