Messages from the President

Dear Colleagues, 

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month is a month-long celebration honoring the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It occurs every May; however, at Queensborough, we observe it in April. We have chosen to celebrate in April because classes end in mid-May, and community members are typically inundated with multiple commitments related to the end of the academic year. By intentionally choosing April, we ensure the month receives the dedicated attention and recognition it deserves. 

AAPI Month, which began as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in 1979, became a month-long observance in 1992. This month, we are excited to celebrate with those in our community who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander. 

Throughout the month, you will notice a variety of campus programs designed to provide enjoyable learning opportunities that highlight our community’s connections to the cultures we celebrate. These programs will also create opportunities to connect with colleagues. You can find the full calendar of events here. Last week, the Association of Indians in America (AIA) NY Chapter and Queensborough’s Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a Holi celebration on the Great Lawn. It was a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to participate in a vibrant festival that marks the beginning of spring, symbolizing the season’s renewal, life, and hope. Please  use this link  to enjoy pictures from the day. 

Finally, please make plans to join us on  Thursday, April 10, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm  in the SUL for "The AAPI Mashup: Stories, Soundtracks, and Snacks!”  a campus-wide celebration to kick off the month and launch the calendar. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear colleagues,

The Office of the President and the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEIB) are excited to invite you to participate in Pause and Recharge: Community Wellness and Relaxation — a month-long series of events taking place throughout April, designed to support the well-being of our dedicated faculty and staff.

We recognize the importance of making time for self-care, especially during the demands of the semester. This April series offers a range of opportunities to relax, recharge, and connect with colleagues in a calming and supportive environment. All activities are led by fellow faculty and staff and are open to all experience levels.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

Midday Yoga

Description: This gentle movement session is designed specifically for faculty and staff to de-stress, reset, and re-energize during the workday. Join us in a calming environment to unwind and reconnect with your body and breath. All skill levels are welcome. Mats will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Led by: Professor Kathleen Eberhardt; Health, Physical Education, and Dance

Tuesday, April 1 | 12 pm - 1 pm
Tuesday, April 8 | 12 pm - 1 pm
Tuesday, April 15 | 12 pm - 1 pm
Tuesday, April 22 | 12 pm - 1 pm
Tuesday, April 29 | 12 pm - 1 pm

All sessions will be held in RFK-304

Knitting Hour

Description: Do you enjoy knitting or want to learn how? Drop into QCC’s Knitting Hour! Please bring your knitting or any portable craft project and join the group for light conversation.

Led by: Dr. Christina Saindon; Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Monday, April 7 |1 pm - 2 pm
Friday, April 25 | 11 am - 12 pm

All sessions will be held in A-507

Walk and Talk Around the Track

Description: Take a stroll, breathe in the spring air, and enjoy some light conversation while getting your steps in.

Led by: President Christine Mangino

Tuesday, April 8 | 2 pm - 3 pm 
Monday, April 21 |12 pm - 1 pm
Monday, April 28 | 12 pm - 1 pm

Location: QCC Track

Meditation & Self-Care

Description: This interactive workshop is designed to introduce faculty and staff to practical self-care strategies rooted in meditation, mindfulness, and body-based practices that support stress relief and emotional balance. Participants will leave with simple techniques they can integrate into their daily routines to build resilience, reduce burnout, and support overall well-being. 

Led by: Dr. Rezan Akpinar; Health, Physical Education, and Dance

Wednesday, April 9 | 1 pm - 2 pm

Join the Virtual Session Here

Paint & Plant Herbs

Description: Enjoy a creative afternoon painting and designing your very own terracotta pot, while planting something to take home! Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. 

Led by: Francis Magaldi, ASAP

Tuesday, April 22 | 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Oakland Pergola

Pickleball Social and Sweet Treats

Description: Join us for some fun on the court and a sweet treat on the sidelines! Whether you're a pickleball pro, curious about the sport, or prefer to cheer from the sidelines with ice cream in hand, there is something for everyone. Paddles will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. Come socialize with colleagues and enjoy a visit from a Mr. Softee ice cream truck.

Led by: Peter Marchitello; Health, Physical Education, and Dance

Wednesday, April 23 | 1 pm - 2:30 pm

Location: Pickleball Courts (Near QCC Track)

Mindfulness & Art

Description: Take a break and join Professor Susan Gonzalez in a meditation and hands-on art-making session.

Led by: Prof. Susan Gonzalez; Art & Design

Monday, April 28 | 12:30 pm -1:30 pm

Location: C-203

We invite you to take part in any sessions that speak to you — whether you’re seeking movement, mindfulness, or creative connection, there’s something for everyone.

We hope you’ll join us in prioritizing wellness and community throughout the month.

Warmly,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

I look forward to connecting with you each month through Catch Up With Christine. These sessions allow me to share important updates from across the college, helping us stay aligned on information we all need to know. If you haven't had a chance to join a session yet, or if you missed last month's, please feel free to use the link below to catch up on what you missed.

February 2025 Catch Up With Christine

Our next session will be on Tuesday, March 25, at 9:30 a.m. To facilitate participation, we will meet via Microsoft Teams, which is available to all CUNY employees through their CUNY Login. You can also access Teams on the web at teams.microsoft.com or download it to your desktop.

Please use this link to join us on Tuesday, March 25. I look forward to connecting with you then.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues, 

As the federal landscape continues to change, I understand there is some uncertainty and concern about how recent actions might impact our College and community. I want to take a moment to reassure you that across our University system and within our campus community, we will continue to uphold our mission and shared values.  

Much of what you will read here has already been discussed as part of my State of the College address, in my remarks at recent Academic Senate meetings, and during our monthly Catch Up with Christine sessions, which are open to all faculty and staff. Nevertheless, I wanted to ensure that everyone is informed, particularly those who may have missed any of these opportunities. 

Meeting with New York State Attorney General Letitia James 

I recently attended a meeting hosted by New York State Attorney General Letitia James for presidents of colleges and universities in New York City. Attorney General James reinforced that the State of New York remains committed to protecting our civil rights, enforcing state laws, and safeguarding our state funding. She also encouraged each College and University to remain dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility and promised legal support to any institution facing threats to funding due to their work. Additionally, the Attorney General emphasized that an executive order cannot override federal statutes. Many actions are quickly being challenged in federal courts. Examples include: 

• The Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship 
• Opposing the federal government’s “buy-out” of federal employees, which impacts state-funded institutions 
• Legal action against proposed NIH grant cuts, which would harm universities conducting critical research 
• Resistance to policies that undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

It is worth noting that the latest update from the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights makes it clear that programming that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion is not illegal as long as it’s open to everyone—and that’s something we’ve always prioritized. As a College, we welcome all faculty, staff, and students to participate in experiences that highlight our community’s connection to the diverse cultures we celebrate. We understand there’s been some concern about our Sankofa and Lavender ceremonies, but we want to reassure everyone that these important celebrations will continue, with an open invitation for all students to partake and enjoy the celebration, just as we’ve always done. 

Support for Immigrant Students

CUNY remains committed to protecting our undocumented and non-citizen students, adhering to the fullest extent of the law. The university system closely adheres to guidance on safeguarding the rights of immigrant students shared by our state leaders. CUNY continues to observe existing university policy that requires a judicial warrant for any federal or local law enforcement official who comes to a campus seeking to make an arrest. We continue to share with our students the resources available from CUNY’s Office of Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs and our Center for International Affairs, Immigration, and Study Abroad.

None of us can say with certainty what the future holds, but I want you to know that Queensborough will always remain committed to being a supportive and inclusive community that celebrates one another. I also want to assure you that I meet regularly with my cabinet, other CUNY and national presidents, and members of the CUNY Chancellery to stay on top of these developments to assess their potential impact nationally and for us locally. I am in frequent communication with campus governance leaders, and I stay updated on the latest advice and guidance from various national educational organizations about managing these changes and ensuring we’re protecting academic integrity. For now, there is no need to change how we operate, and we’ll keep doing what we do best: supporting our students and each other.  

Finally, I want to mention that, like many colleges and universities across the country, we have been closely monitoring the news regarding yesterday's mass layoffs at the Department of Education. While we are still gathering information to understand the full impact, you can be assured that we will share news and updates as they become available.

You can feel confident that we're carefully reviewing all changes, making sure we're in line with the law, and prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff every step of the way.

Sincerely,
Chris 

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

During the 2022-2023 Academic Year, we launched the Transparency Series, a professional development initiative dedicated to advancing Queensborough's Strategic Plan commitment to create a Culture of Care. I am pleased to share the remaining sessions for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

Transformational Change: The Jed Foundation
Friday, March 28 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

During this engaging one-hour workshop, we’ll provide updates on the College’s partnership with The JED Foundation, focusing on its impact on promoting mental health and well-being for Queensborough students. JED empowers teens and young adults by building resilience, fostering social connectedness, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors through its nationally recognized programs, digital platforms, and community partnerships. During this session, you'll hear from colleagues who have been driving the implementation of Queensborough’s JED Strategic Plan. The event will also highlight how the College is working with JED to strengthen campus resources and create a culture of care, ensuring that students who are struggling are supported and connected to the help they need. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how mental health is tied to student success and the critical role we all play in creating a campus community that prioritizes well-being.

Presenters:
TBD

Register Here for The Jed Foundation

Transformational Change: The Gardner Institute
Friday, April 25 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

During this engaging one-hour workshop, we’ll provide updates on the College’s partnership with the Gardner Institute, focusing on two critical initiatives: the Academy on the First Year and Emergency Aid. These efforts are central to our commitment to improving student outcomes and closing equity gaps. In addition, the College is utilizing professional development opportunities through Gardner to further our work with Achieving the Dream. During the session, you’ll hear from colleagues who have been driving this important work forward, and you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how these initiatives connect to the College’s broader strategy for student success. Don’t miss the chance to learn how these efforts are helping us create a more inclusive and supportive environment for our students..

Presenters:
Provost Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, Vice President Brian Mitra, and colleagues

Register Here for The Gardner Institute

You will find all of these sessions here. Additionally, we have an archive page where you can view the recordings of previous sessions. You can access that page here.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month is a month-long celebration honoring the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It occurs every May; however, at Queensborough, we recognize it in April. The College is starting to prepare the calendar of events for programming in April. 

If you are planning an event in recognition of the month, please share the details by submitting it to the Campus Events Calendar by March 26. Events submitted by the deadline will be promoted on the website's AAPI Events Calendar and shared broadly. Please use the tag “History/Heritage Day, Week or Month" when submitting your event and include the title, description, location, time, and RSVP details.  

Finally, please make plans to join us on Thursday, April 10, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the SUL for "The AAPI Mashup: Stories, Soundtracks, and Snacks!” a campus-wide celebration to kick off the month and launch the calendar. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and wanted to share information about a webinar that may be of interest to the campus community.

HACU Webinar March 5: Women’s Leadership Series

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is hosting a webinar titled “When Opportunity Strikes, Be Ready” on March 5 at 1:30 pm. This webinar, brought to you by HACU’s Women’s Leadership Series, is open to all who want to accelerate their careers and gain valuable insights from inspirational leaders.

The webinar, presented by Narcisa Polonio, Ed.D., will focus on key levers for transformational career advancement and offer valuable insights on how to harness opportunities. Dr. Polonio is an executive leader for Community College Practice, Greenwood/Asher & Associates, President of Narcisa Inc., and Steve Fund.

Register here to join the session.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues, 

Happy Women’s History Month! We recognize all the women in our community who push this campus forward. The United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month since 1987. The month-long celebration, which includes International Women’s Day on March 8, highlights women's achievements and contributions.

CUNY Women’s Conference Week is March 4 – 20. The series of events includes the CUNY Compass for Women’s Leaders Virtual Conference and the CUNY Student Women’s Leadership Conference, which I am proud to serve as the co-chair. These conferences offer a wealth of experiences and opportunities for growth, cultivating a community of empowered and inspired women throughout the CUNY network.

This month I invite the campus to join me on Wednesday, March 19, from 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm on the fifth floor of the Administration Building in the President's Conference Room for this month's book club discussion of Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designated for Men. This is open to everyone on campus. If you haven’t already done so, please use the link below to register for the March Book Club.

Let’s use the month as an opportunity to honor the contributions of women in our lives as we continue to empower one another, working together toward a future where every voice is heard and valued. 

Sincerely,
Chris 

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

I'm looking forward to another opportunity to connect with you during our monthly Catch Up With Christine. These sessions provide a chance to share key updates, promote transparency, and make sure we’re all aligned on the essential information.

Our next session will be on February 24, at 9:30 a.m. We meet via Microsoft Teams to make it easy for all faculty and staff to participate. Teams is available to all CUNY employees through your CUNY Login. Teams can be used on the web at teams.microsoft.com or download Teams to your desktop.

Please join in on Monday, February 24, using this link. I look forward to connecting with you then.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

This Valentine's Day, let's celebrate each other! I warmly invite you to join me for hot chocolate and sweet treats in the President's Conference Room. I hope to see you there!

Friday, February 14 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm
President's Conference Room | Fifth Floor of the Administration Building

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

Queensborough Community College is proud to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the achievements and experiences of those in our community who identify as Black or African American. Originally founded as Negro History Week in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month became an official month-long observance in 1976. This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of African Americans while reflecting on their collective journey for equality and full citizenship in American society.

Throughout the month, various campus programs will provide engaging and educational experiences that showcase our community's connection to the culture we celebrate. These events will also offer opportunities to connect with colleagues and strengthen the collaborative spirit that defines our community. The full calendar of events is available here. 

Finally, please join the campus this Thursday, February 6, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the SUL for The Family Reunion, a campus-wide celebration to kick off Black History Month. 

Sincerely,
Chris 

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the spring 2025 semester! I hope you had a fulfilling break, whether it was spent teaching, traveling, reconnecting with loved ones, or taking some well-deserved time to recharge. Now, I am thrilled to have you with me as we welcome our returning students back to campus and introduce our new students to all that life at Queensborough has to offer.  

The first day of the spring semester was Saturday, January 25. I want to thank those who came in over the weekend to work the Student Support Services and Welcome Tables and to greet our students. Volunteers will continue to greet and assist our students throughout this first full week of classes. I am pleased to share that as of Friday, January 24, we are up three percent (9845) in headcount and 3.6% (6341) in full-time enrollment (FTE) from spring 2024. While there is still much work to do to reach pre-pandemic enrollment levels of our peak of 16,203, we remain on the right track.  

This semester, we are introducing a service to enhance accessibility for our students. The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is implementing CUNY Accommodate, CUNY’s new system to streamline the management of accommodation requests. Students can now self-identify to their faculty by submitting a request through the Accommodate system and selecting the classes to use their OAS-approved accommodations. The system will automatically generate an Accommodation Letter, and faculty will be notified by email to view and sign the letter. Additionally, students requiring exam or quiz accommodations will now schedule these through the system. 

Our Buildings and Grounds (B&G) team has been busy during the fall semester and winter session. In December, they worked with a contractor to construct a temporary external pipe from the Administration Building to the Science Building to ensure that heat is equitably distributed to all buildings on campus without interruption this winter. This solution will carry us through the spring when the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) is scheduled to replace the aging underground piping in front of the Administration Building. Additionally, DASNY has begun the second phase of the Atrium and Cafeteria construction project. B & G continues to work on a new dining option, Sushi and Sips, which will be near the entrance of the Student Union Lounge. We will have more on this and other project updates during our 2025 State of the College address on February 4.  

We had some exciting things happen at Queensborough over the winter session. Queensborough's Music Department has officially become an associate institution of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). This achievement, 10 years in the making, places Queensborough among a distinguished group of music schools and programs nationwide. In addition, students from the Music Department along with Professor Ernie Jackson, attended the 2025 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, held last week at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. The event offered a unique opportunity for students from the Music Production program to engage with industry leaders and explore the latest in music technology and production. We are also excited to announce that Dr. Carolina Chaves-O'Flynn, professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, has been awarded the prestigious Don Quixote de La Mancha Scholarship. This scholarship, offered through a partnership between the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), will allow Dr. Chaves-O'Flynn to spend one week in Toledo, Spain. During her time there, she will deepen her expertise in teaching Spanish language and culture, further enhancing the education she provides to students. 

Our end-of-year celebrations make the spring semester an exciting time at the College, and we have a few firm dates to share with you. We have started planning for our annual Partners for Progress Gala, which will be held at Terrace on the Park on May 1. This year, Queensborough has been selected to host the 2025 CUNY Queens Lavender Graduation Ceremony for LGBTQIA+ and ally graduates from Queens-based CUNY institutions. That event will take place on May 22. Queensborough’s annual Sankofa Celebration is set for May 27 in QPAC. And, of course, plans are underway for this year’s Commencement Ceremony, which is May 29.

Finally, as we return this spring semester, I understand there may be uncertainty and some fear following the recent executive orders. CUNY is carefully reviewing these orders to assess their potential impact on our students, faculty, and the university. CUNY's Office of Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs provides answers to frequently asked questions, and I will share additional information with you when I receive further guidance from CUNY. I recognize that this is an anxious time for some of our colleagues, but please remember that Queensborough is your supportive community. We will always remain committed to protecting our core values and maintaining a respectful and welcoming environment for all. 

I wish you all a productive and successful semester and look forward to celebrating our students in May!

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

President Christine Mangino and Members of the Cabinet Cordially Invite You to Attend

The Fifth Annual State of the College Address: Celebrating Our Successes

Building on the vision outlined in Queensborough’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, the President’s fifth annual State of the College Address will showcase our ongoing work and successes in innovating and evolving to meet the needs of today’s students. The Vice President of Administration will also give an update on the college's budget and facilities. Finally, after the presentation, learn more about the work being done by your colleagues at table presentations in the Medical Arts Well. Appetizers and refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, February 4th | 3:10 pm - 4:30 pm
Medical Arts Building, Room 136

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year, and welcome back! I'm excited to start the spring 2025 semester with you and share the latest college-wide updates in our next Catch Up With Christine. These monthly sessions allow me to share important information to support transparency and ensure we are all aligned on the need-to-know information.

Our next session will be on Monday, January 27, at 9:30 a.m. We meet via Microsoft Teams to make it easy for all faculty and staff to participate. Teams is available to all CUNY employees through your CUNY Login. Teams can be used on the web at teams.microsoft.com or download Teams to your desktop.

Please join in on Monday, January 27, using this link. I look forward to connecting with you then.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President. Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

The end of the year is always a special time to reflect on the incredible journey we have shared. I thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and commitment to supporting our students. In 2024, we made progress toward our transformative goals, made enrollment gains, and strengthened our community of care – all guided by our Five-Year Strategic Plan. Let’s take a moment to look back on some of what we have accomplished together. 

Enrollment/Retention Gains 

During last month’s State of the University Address, City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said total enrollment grew three percent, driven by a six percent increase at CUNY’s community colleges. Queensborough’s numbers are part of that success. In the fall, our full-time enrollmemt (FTE) increased by 3.5% and as of today we are on track to meet our goals for spring 2025 enrollment. Additionally, our efforts to support our disproportionally impacted populations are working. The three-year retention and graduation rate trends for Black and Latino men have increased by nearly 10% for both groups. The growth in our enrolment reflects the exceptional experiences you provide in the classroom and through the services we offer. Your dedication is at the heart of this success. 

Strengthening Student Engagement  

We have been working hard to create a strong sense of belonging and community for our students by ensuring our practices are inclusive and welcoming. This past year, we have supported their overall growth through various projects that focus on their development in all areas of life. 

One big milestone was the ribbon-cutting of the Humanities Theatre and Performing Arts Center back in February. It is now a more accessible space and a state-of-the-art learning lab where students can refine their craft in the arts. Then, in August, we opened the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, now officially named the PRIDE Center, to provide an affirming, supportive environment for our queer and transgender students, helping them thrive as they work toward their academic goals. We also launched the MRC Vault, a walk-in closet stocked with professional attire for students who need clothing for interviews and career events. This is all about breaking down barriers so our students can have the resources they need to succeed. 

Our Lucille A. Bova Food Pantry continues to support the one in four Queensborough students who face food insecurity, and thanks to your efforts, we have been able to help even more. At last month's Give Thanks, Give Back event, volunteers stayed late to make sure every student who was still in line when our first allotment of food had been given out received food. We ended up giving away over 300 turkeys and grocery bags. We also supported our international students with a special Thanksgiving dinner. Your generosity continued during #CUNYTuesday when Queensborough raised $71,337 and had the third-highest number of donors among all 25 CUNY colleges! We have raised more money by this point in the year than we have in years past.  

We are also seeing some amazing success stories. Four of our students were selected as semifinalists for the competitive Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, and two students have been named Kaplan Leadership Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year. Additionally, the City University of New York presented its inaugural 50 Under 50 Alumni List this summer, recognizing distinguished CUNY alumni who have made headway in their respective fields in the past year. Bianny Rodriguez,’20, was recognized for her work as director of community outreach for New York City Council member Carlina Rivera. These highlights demonstrate our commitment to supporting our students, both in and out of the classroom. 

Transformational Goals 

To support our Strategic Plan goals to improve educational outcomes for students, we partnered with three nationally recognized organizations in higher education: Achieving the Dream, The Gardner Institute, and The Jed Foundation. This past year, we have made considerable gains in creating a First Year Experience, strengthening career learning, and developing a plan for low-success courses. We developed a plan for a first-year experience tailored to Queensborough that addresses reducing equity gaps, and this fall, we had a small cohort of first-year students go through this tailored experience. In the spring, we will increase the number of students.  

In support of our equity goals to confront systemic bias and foster understanding in our communities, our Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center (TRHT), in collaboration with the Kupferberg Holocaust Center (KHC), launched “Unseen Threads” for the 2024-2025 academic year. Last month, our first cohort of faculty engaged in an immersive experience at the KHC and the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, to gain insights into the connections between historical injustices and contemporary forms of hate. Next semester, another cohort of Queensborough faculty and staff will have the same experience, followed by a CUNY-wide cohort. You will hear more about our transformative goals during our State of the College in February. 

Finally, it is affirming to end the year knowing the University has reached a tentative agreement with the Professional Staff Congress, representing our faculty and staff. Among the highlights, this agreement will include stronger benefits and additional equity raises for adjuncts and our lowest-paid full-time colleagues. 

As we reflect on the successes of this past year, I recognize that none of it would have been possible without your hard work, dedication, and passion. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your work helps us reach our Strategic Plan goals. I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together, and I look forward to all we can accomplish together in the year ahead.   

Have a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am sure that many of you, like me, stayed up late last night watching the election results. As they came in, I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions that will take time to process, and I know that many in our community may be feeling the same way. Some may be feeling enthusiastic and relieved about the outcome, while others may be feeling anxious or distressed.

It is also important to recognize that for some, including our students, this election is deeply personal, touching on core values and identities, and bringing real concerns about safety and survival. However we feel about the results, I hope comfort can be found in knowing that, as a community, we will remain united in our shared mission. Our identity and core values as an institution will remain protected, and our freedoms as educators will continue to be prioritized. Our work, both inside and outside the classroom, is as critical as ever to promoting understanding and respecting the importance of diverse perspectives.

At this moment of change, prioritizing self-care and community support is essential, and it’s important that we continue to care for one another. Our Counseling Center has prepared these tips for coping with election-related stress:

1. Focus on what you can control: Engage in positive actions like committing to vote in future elections, volunteering, or even running for office.
2. Separate people from their viewpoints: Value relationships beyond political views and practice empathy.
3. Stay mindful: Consider your goals before engaging in discussions and acknowledge emotions.
4. Set boundaries: Limit exposure to social media and take breaks from political news and opinions.
5. Beware of disinformation: Educate yourself about facts and discern false information.
6. Remember the Golden Rule: Remain civil, refrain from name-calling, and avoid turning against someone who doesn’t share the same viewpoint.
7. Stay curious: Seek to understand different perspectives and learn from others.

Please remember that students who need help coping may seek support by visiting the CUNY Mental Health Services or the Counseling Center. Faculty and staff may reach out to CCA@YourService or call CUNY’s confidential employee assistance program provider at 800-833-8707. CCA@YourService will also be on campus Friday, November 8 to provide faculty and staff with free, confidential support. The Office of Human Resources will provide additional details shortly.

Earlier this week, our students were invited to attend a post-election relaxation event in the Art Gallery, which took place this afternoon and was attended by over 100 students. Several students, faculty, and staff joined me for a de-stressing walk around our track yesterday.

On Thursday, November 7, I invite you to bring a brown bag lunch and blanket to the Great Lawn from 12 to 1 PM for some together time as a community. A limited number of tables and chairs will also be available.

Also on Thursday, November 7, from 2 to 3 PM, Professor Susan Gonzalez will host an Art Therapy Session in C-203. In Gallery X (C-213), Professor Annemarie Coffey has set up a sculpting table with clay and other materials to help our colleagues de-stress and practice togetherness for the hour.

We are a strong and resilient community, and in times of change, we must continue to show up for one another—acknowledging the varied experiences and emotions that shape us, and reaffirming our collective commitment to respecting each other’s humanity. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and compassion each of you brings to our community. Let’s continue to support each other and prioritize our well-being in the days and weeks ahead.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you to those who joined us for our first Catch Up With Christine. These monthly sessions will allow me to connect with you to share important college-wide updates to support transparency and ensure we are all aligned on the need-to-know information.

Our next session will be on Monday, October 28, at 9:30 a.m. We will meet via Microsoft Teams, to make it easy for all faculty and staff to participate. Teams is available to all CUNY employees through your CUNY Login. Teams can be used on the web at teams.microsoft.com or download Teams to your desktop.

Please join in on Monday, October 28, using this link. I look forward to connecting with you then.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share that members of the NYPD's 111th Precinct Community Policing Team have just agreed to meet with us on Tuesday, October 15, at 3:30 pm. While there are no current issues on campus, officers will be joining us in response to requests we've received from our colleagues. They will address concerns regarding patrols in the area and issues with double parking around campus entrances. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

We appreciate that police officers have demanding schedules, and we are grateful for their willingness to make time to meet with us. I hope you will join us.

Tuesday, October 15 | 3:30 pm

M-136

Sincerely,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College 

Dear colleagues,

Tomorrow, the Jewish community will prepare for the holiest of celebrations. Beginning at sundown Wednesday, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year and a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates with Yom Kippur. It is a time to contemplate wrongs, seek forgiveness, and look toward a new beginning.   

In this spirit of introspection, this is a time for our community to embrace the values of compassion and understanding. For many, this time brings hope for a fresh start and reminders of loss and grief. We must honor both emotions. The past year has been tough for many people, and Rosh Hashanah invites us to reflect on our past and envision a better future.  

I extend my sincerest wishes for a Happy New Year to those who observe. May the importance of these sacred holidays serve as an opportunity to find strength in our shared humanity, extend kindness to those in need, and work toward peace and understanding. There is no doubt that the academic year ahead will be challenging.  May this year be filled with personal growth, meaningful connections, and a deepening of our shared commitment to learning and respect. 

Sincerely,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

As I shared during Fall Convocation, we are introducing a monthly feature, Catch Up With Christine. These monthly sessions will allow me to connect with you to share important college-wide updates to support transparency and ensure we are all aligned on the need-to-know information.

Our first meeting will be on Monday, September 30, at 9:30 a.m. The session will be held via Microsoft Teams, making it easy for all faculty and staff to participate. Teams is available to all CUNY employees through your CUNY Login. Teams can be used on the web at teams.microsoft.com or download Teams to your desktop.

Please join in on Monday, September 30, using this link. I look forward to connecting with you then.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for attending the sense of belonging discussion led by leaders from the Gardner Institute. I hope that you found the themes and ideas mentioned helpful to your work on campus. You can click on the image below for a free copy of the book, Connections Are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education by Peter Felten, Leo M. Lambert, Isis Artze-Vega, and Oscar R. Miranda Tapia. This is the book that was mentioned during the discussion.

Again, thank you for taking the time to join in the discussion and learn more about how we can create a stronger sense of belonging for our students.

Regards,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

SEPTEMBER 2024 BOOK CLUB SELECTION

Asian American Is Not a Color:

Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family

by Dr. OiYan A. Poon

See September book club author Dr. OiYan Poon in her TED Talk entitled,

Racial Choices: Justice or "Just Us"? to learn more about her research.

Click the image above to view the video.

I hope you will join me on Monday, September 23rd from 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in the President's Conference room in the Administration Building for a rich discussion.

As always, the book club is open to all faculty, staff, and students. Even if you have not read the book, you are still welcome to come to the discussion. There is no obligation to speak. In the past, many colleagues have chosen to participate by listening.

Sincerely,
Chris

Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues: 

Please join me today in the QCC Art Gallery from 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM for an engaging book discussion about creating a sense of belonging on campus, led by leaders from the Gardner Institute. There is no obligation to have read the books in advance. Each of us plays a role in fostering a sense of belonging on campus, as outlined in our shared strategic plan goals. I ask that you please encourage members of your team to join us as well. Fall-themed desserts and refreshments will also be available.

I look forward to seeing you there. 

Regards,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

Hispanic Heritage Month

Dear Colleagues,

Queensborough Community College is excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and those in our community who identify as Hispanic, Latino/a, and LatinX. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of those who have roots in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, and Spain. 

As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we embrace integrating this designation into the services and programming we provide to our community. Throughout the month, you will notice a series of campus programs designed to offer fun, learning opportunities that highlight our community’s connections to the cultures we celebrate. They will also provide opportunities to connect with colleagues and further our community’s collaborative spirit. You will find the full calendar of events here.

Finally, please join us this Thursday, September 19 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the SUL for ¡Viva La Cultura!, a campus-wide celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. I look forward to seeing you there!  

Sincerely,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

Dear Queensborough community,   

Twenty-three years ago today, many of us remember where we were or what we were doing the moment we learned of the first plane to hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, remain with us as we recall those we have lost, including some in our community. 

Today, let us pause and remember the lives lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, United Airlines Flight 93, and the thousands of first responders and survivors who have died due to illnesses related to that horrible day. Many of you know I lost my partner John, who worked in one of the towers. He passed away following a battle with cancer linked to the toxins released from the attack. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers who lived or worked south of Canal Street following September 11 to enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program and complete annual screenings.   

This day is also a reminder of the empathy and compassion demonstrated by many after the attacks. We all heard countless stories of communities who came together to help one another and individuals who exhibited tremendous courage and kindness to support their neighbors. Those actions bring to mind the values of understanding and care we hold dear in our community.  

As we remember those we have lost, may we carry forward the lessons of empathy and understanding for one another that emerged in those dark moments. May those principles guide us as we lead our students, some born after that day, to help them bridge the gap between history and their current understanding of the world. 

Sincerely, 
Chris 

President Christine Mangino 
Queensborough Community College 

Gardner Institute Led Book Discussion on Creating a Sense of Belonging on Campus

Dear Colleagues,

I am thrilled to invite you to a special event featuring experts from the Gardner Institute, renowned for their work in transforming the foundational postsecondary experience, who will be visiting our campus to share their insights and experiences. This is a unique opportunity to interact with these leaders, ask questions, and learn from real-world examples that can enhance our educational practices.

Board members from the Gardner Institute will lead an engaging book discussion around creating a sense of belonging on campus on  Tuesday, September 17, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm  in the Student Union Lobby.

Isis Artze-Vega, the College Provost & Vice  President for Academic Affairs at Valencia College and Leo Lambert,  President Emeritus at Elon University will discuss their recent book,  Connections are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2023. This book highlights the transformative power of connections that students make with peers, faculty, and staff during college. Based on interviews with hundreds of students, it emphasizes how close relationships can significantly impact student success.

Drew Koch Chief Executive Officer for the Gardner Institute  will present insights from his forthcoming book,  Transforming the Gateway Course Experience: A Call to Action , to be published by Routledge in 2025. This book calls on educators to address inequities in gateway courses and provides an evidence-based model for enhancing teaching, learning, and student success in foundational college classrooms. We look forward to seeing you there and engaging in meaningful discussions that can help shape our educational environment for students. Light refreshments will be served during the event. You may use the links below to RSVP.   Warm regards, Christine

Join us and meet experts from the Gardner Institute

Location
Student Union Lobby

Date and Time
09/17/24 1:00pm - 09/17/24 2:15pm US/Eastern

Gardner Institute Book Discussion on the Creating a Sense of Belonging on Campus

• I'll Be There!

• I Can't Make It

Dear colleagues, 

Welcome to a new academic year at Queensborough Community College! I hope you had an enjoyable and restful summer and are excited to greet the opportunities that await us this fall. 

It has been a busy and productive summer on campus, and I thank our colleagues who worked through these months to prepare for the extraordinary year ahead. On August 1, we welcomed a new Dean of Faculty, Dr. Linda Bastone. Dr. Bastone joins Queensborough from Mercy University where she served as Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. Additionally, we were fortunate to welcome three new full-time faculty who will join our caring community of educators. Please join me in welcoming Christopher Adams, Communications, Theatre, and Media Production Department; and Francoise Apollon-Dutreuil and Mara Loren Poljak, Nursing Department. To all our new colleagues, we are happy you are here! 

I am pleased to share that we are close to meeting our overall fall 2024 enrollment goal and exceeded our goal in the area of new international students. We have also made progress on our Five-Year Strategic Plan, which continues to guide our work. In support of our Strategic Plan’s focus on digital culture, we’ve launched the newest version of the QCC Connect App, which includes an interactive campus map, easy access to the campus directory, and a comprehensive listing of support services and campus resources. We hope introducing this new technology will help students feel more informed, engaged, and connected.  

This summer has also been busy with changes to instructional and student success technologies. As you know, CUNY transitioned its learning management system (LMS) from Blackboard to Brightspace. CUNY also introduced a new University-wide early alert system to replace EAB Starfish called EAB Navigate 360. EAB Navigate 360 will be discussed at this afternoon’s Fall Convocation and highlighted at tomorrow’s Welcome Back.  

Our Building and Grounds team has also been busy this summer, completing several noteworthy projects, including upgrades to our accessibility ramps on the north side of campus and critical repairs to the swimming pool in the RKF Building. The College has been working to address the frustrating ongoing issues with our elevators in the Medical Arts, Science, and Humanities buildings, and we have implemented a protocol for timely notification of outages and updates from the vendor responsible for maintenance and repairs. We will have more on that at this afternoon's Fall Convocation.  

Last semester, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) green-lit the second phase of construction to begin on the Science Atrium and Cafeteria. As you might recall, the project has been in the works for several years but has been delayed multiple times due to factors outside of the College’s control. We were notified yesterday that the project will begin in mid-September. As with all major CUNY construction projects, DASNY will manage the timeline and day-to-day operations, and we will provide updates to the campus community as soon as they become available. While we wait for the work to officially begin, the Science Cafeteria has been taken offline, and a new “Hilltop Kitchen” was opened in the Oakland Building for the enjoyment of our students, faculty, and staff. 

In keeping with Queensborough's Strategic Plan commitment to fostering a Culture of Care, our LGBTQ+ Resource Center will open this fall on the second floor of the Administration Building. The data reveals that 17% of Queensborough students identify as LGBTQIA+ and nine percent identify as non-cisgender. Students who indicated a gender other than cisgender man or woman had the lowest sense of mattering. This new center will create a reaffirming space that supports our students and reminds them that they belong here. A search for a center coordinator is underway, and I will share more once someone is selected.  

Last semester as part of our ongoing work with Achieving the Dream (ATD), we hosted a college-wide Capacity Café to deepen our understanding of our strengths and improvement areas in policies and processes, teaching and learning, data and technology, and communications. We heard from many of you and your feedback will help us grow and improve in these areas. One of the things you told us, was that you wanted more opportunities to engage. So, this fall we will introduce Conversations with Christine, an informal way for me to connect with you each month, provide critical updates, and support transparency around administrative updates. Soon you will receive information on the date of our first session and how you can join the conversation.  

Finally, as we begin this new academic year, I am mindful of global and national issues and heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming presidential election. We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone. Queensborough is a community that centers care, and we must remain focused on our values as a community. We know these are unprecedented times, and we will provide resources to help the campus engage in dialogue about these issues in an inclusive and respectful way. 

What I have shared are just a few highlights from the summer and things to look forward to this fall. I look forward to seeing you all this afternoon for my Convocation in the Humanities Theatre (QPAC) at 3:30 p.m. and tomorrow’s Welcome Back for Faculty and HEOs, hosted in M136. As always, I am grateful for your commitment to our students and all that you do to foster a culture of care and academic excellence. Here is to a successful academic year!  

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

During the 2022-2023 Academic Year, we launched the   Transparency Series ,  a professional development initiative dedicated to advancing Queensborough's Strategic Plan commitment to create a Culture of Care.  I am pleased to share that the first few 2024-2025 Academic Year sessions have been scheduled. You will find the fall sessions listed below.

Curricular Changes 

Friday, September 20 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

Implementing changes to the college's curricula involves several steps, including approval from the Senate, the CUNY Board, and sometimes even the State of New York. In the past, this lengthy process often meant that changes weren’t finalized until after students had registered for the Fall semester.

In this Transparency Series workshop, you will learn how recent revisions to this process will enable the next college catalog to be published much earlier—during the Spring semester—just as students select their Fall courses. Additionally, this year marks the transition to an electronic system using Coursedog, streamlining the process further. The presentation will cover details important to both faculty and academic advisors.

Presenters:

• Michael Pullin 
  Dean for Academic Initiatives
• Faculty 
  TBD

Register Here for Curricular Changes

Communication Services and Processes 

Friday, October 18 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

The Division of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement is comprised of several key departments, including those focused on communication and marketing. In this Transparency Series workshop, you will learn how our teams craft strategies to effectively engage with both internal and external audiences. We will also explore the services offered to faculty and staff and guide you through the process for requesting support.

Presenters:

• Tanisha Mallette
  Chief Content Officer & Director of Communications
• Angelica May
  Associate Director of Student Communications
• Adam Volin
  Director of Strategic Initiatives and Digital Transformation

Register Here for Communication Services and Processes

Data Literacy

Friday, November 15 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Data on student demographics, performance, and outcomes are powerful tools that can help educators and administrators develop effective strategies and policies. In this Transparency Series workshop, you will learn how to use the Fact Book and institutional dashboards to gain valuable insights into student trends and institutional effectiveness. Using these resources can lead to enhanced support services, tailored instructional strategies, and ultimately, improved outcomes for students.

Presenter:

• Elizabeth Lackner
  Director of Institutional Effectiveness 

Register Here for Data Literacy

You will find all of these sessions here. Additionally, we have an archive page where you can view the recordings of previous sessions. You can access that page here. 

Sincerely,
Chris

Christine Mangino
President, Queensborough Community

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well and rejuvenated after the summer break. As we start a new academic year, I invite you to attend our upcoming Convocation for faculty and staff on   Wednesday, August 28 from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm  in QPAC. This event marks a significant moment for us to come together as a community, celebrate our achievements, and set the tone for the year ahead. I will provide an overview of the latest developments and strategic initiatives on campus, focusing on our ongoing commitment to enhancing the educational experience for our students. There will also be a presentation on the new software tools Brightspace and Navigate 360. Finally, VP Forte will present the latest updates on our campus facilities, including recent renovations, future projects, and improvements.

Thank you for your dedication and contributions to QCC. I look forward to seeing you all at Convocation and to another successful year together.

Warm regards,
Christine

Dear Colleagues,

We had great conversations across campus during the 2023-2024 academic year as we discussed books selected for  The President's Book Club.  I am excited about the talks we will have for the upcoming year, and I am pleased to announce the selections for the Fall 2024 Book Club are now available. Beginning this September we will have three selections.

September: Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family

 

Before being struck down by the US Supreme Court in June 2023, affirmative action remained one of the few remaining policy tools to address racial inequalities, revealing peculiar contours of racism and anti-racist strategies in America. Through   personal reflective essays for and about her daughter, OiYan Poon looks at how the debate over affirmative action reveals the divergent ways Asian Americans conceive of their identity. With moving sincerity and insightful study, Poon combines extensive research with personal narratives from both herself and a diverse swath of individuals across the Asian American community to reflect on and respond to her daughter’s central question: What does it mean to be Asian American?

Poon conducts interviews with Asian Americans throughout the US who have been actively engaged in policy debates over race-conscious admissions or affirmative action. Through these exchanges, she finds that Asian American identity remains deeply unsettled in a contest between those invested in reaching the top of the racial hierarchy alongside whiteness and those working toward a vision of justice and humanity co-constructed through cross-racial solidarity.

In Person Book Club Meeting:  Monday, September 23, 2024  1:00 pm to 2:15 pm in the President's Conference Room (A502)

Mid October: While the Earth Sleeps We Travel: Stories, Poetry, and Art from Young Refugees Around the World

 

QCC 2024-25 Common Read Selection: A groundbreaking collection of poetry, personal narratives, and art from refugee youth around the world. 

Beginning in 2018, Ahmed M. Badr—an Iraqi-American poet and former refugee—traveled to Greece, Trinidad & Tobago, and Syracuse, New York, holding storytelling workshops with hundreds of displaced youth: those living in and outside of camps, as well as those adjusting to life after resettlement.

Combining Badr’s own poetry with the personal narratives and creative contributions of dozens of young refugees, While the Earth Sleeps We Travel seeks to center and amplify the often unheard perspectives of those navigating through and beyond the complexities of displacement. The result is a diverse and moving collection—a meditation on the concept of "home" and a testament to the power of storytelling.

In Person Book Club Meeting:  Wednesday, October 16, 2024  10:45 am to 12:00 pm (Location to be determined)

Late October: The Great Upheaval: Higher Education's Past, Present, and Uncertain Future

 

The United States is in the midst of a profound transformation the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Industrial Revolution, when America's classical colleges adapted to meet the needs of an emerging industrial economy. Today, as the world shifts to an increasingly interconnected knowledge economy, the intersecting forces of technological innovation, globalization, and demographic change create vast new challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties. In this great upheaval, the nation's most enduring social institutions are at a crossroads.

In The Great Upheaval, Arthur Levine and Scott Van Pelt examine higher and postsecondary education to see how it has changed to become what it is today—and how it might be refitted for an uncertain future.

In Person Book Club Meeting:  Wednesday, October 30, 2024  3:00 pm to 4:15 pm in the President's Conference Room (A502)

The book club is open to anyone in the campus community, students, faculty, and staff.   Please use the link below to register for the upcoming meetings.

I look forward to seeing you!

Chris 

Join President Christine Mangino and the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, a contingent of students, faculty, and staff from CUNY schools city-wide, as we march together and celebrate Pride at the annual Queens Pride Parade!

Marchers will receive a commemorative Queens Pride t-shirt. Join us at 11:00 am on the corner of 37th Avenue and 89th Street in Jackson Heights. The parade begins at noon. Stay after the parade for an afternoon street festival in the neighborhood, featuring live music, DJs, drag performances, local vendors, and more.  Please use the link below to register!

Date: Sunday, June 2, 2024

Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: 37th Avenue and 89th Street Jackson Heights, NY

Dear Partner for Progress,

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your attendance and incredible generosity at Wednesday night’s annual Partners for Progress Gala at Terrace on the Park. With your support through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and live pledges, Queensborough Community College raised a record-breaking amount for our students! We could not have done this without YOU! Your commitment to supporting our students speaks volumes about your compassion and dedication to creating access to unexpected possibilities for the students we serve.

Together, we celebrated our students, acknowledged our generous donors, and recognized our honorees. Our 2024 Honorees include our Community Partner of the Year, Talya Schwartz, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth; Healthcare Partner of the Year, Ash Tewari, M.B.B.S., M.CH., F.R.C.S. (Hon.), System Chair of the Department of Urology Mount Sinai Health System and Surgeon-in-Chief at the Tisch Cancer Hospital at The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Art Gallery Partner of the Year, Marlene Tseng Yu, Artist and Founder and Curator of the Rain Forest Art Foundation.

The support shown Wednesday night will make a huge difference in the lives of Queensborough students. Especially when you consider that 85% of Queensborough students with a tuition balance of just $500-$1,000 stop out of college before achieving their dream of earning a college degree. If you did not have a chance to give last night and would like to give, please use the link below.

DONATE NOW

On behalf of the 2024 Partners for Progress Gala Chair, Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur, Dean of Elmhurst and Queens program and professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science and the Queensborough Community College Fund, Inc., thank you for spending the evening with us and for believing in the power of public higher education.

Below you'll find a link to see some of the photos from last night. The link will continue to be updated over the next few days!

VIEW THE EVENT PHOTOS

VIEW THE PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS JOURNAL

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues,

At Queensborough, we are excited to celebrate Asian America and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes cultures from more than 30 countries with populations that speak more than 100 languages. We look forward to celebrating members of our community identifying as Asian American or Pacific Islander Americans.

I invite the entire campus to join me on Monday, May 6 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on the fifth floor of the Administration Building for a reception. The reception will strengthen our community while celebrating the month. The time will allow us to share insights about our students and the campus connections to the cultures we celebrate. We welcome everyone, and refreshments will be served.

Celebrated annually in May, AAPI Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

I hope you will join me on Monday, May 6. Please use the links below to register for the reception. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President

Dear Colleagues,

One of the messages I received when I joined the Queensborough community was that faculty, staff, and students wanted more opportunities to celebrate the rich diversity present on campus. For the last three years, we have worked to develop an infrastructure to support college-wide celebrations and we are continuing that work. Another message I received was that there are many events generously planned by colleagues across campus, but our community is often unaware of what’s happening, and/or events are scheduled on the same day and at the same time. With your help, we hope to address some of these issues, and we are starting with the cultural heritage months.

Here are four things to know:

1. For AY2024-2025, we will launch a centralized website to celebrate the following cultural heritage months. Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For each heritage month, a call for events will be sent to the community with a hard deadline. This deadline with ensure that the Division of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement has sufficient time to develop the website and amplify your events.
2. I have asked a group of faculty and staff to serve as a Cultural Events Working Group. This group has been asked to plan a kickoff event for each heritage month that will engage the Queensborough community in celebrating the diversity that is so uniquely present on Queensborough’s campus. At these kickoff celebrations, the calendar of events for the entire month will be shared, (again) amplifying your events.
3. We acknowledge that these heritage months do not capture everyone, and we are maintaining the application-based Mosaic Fund as a resource for faculty and staff to host cultural events.
4. The College will also launch a centralized website for Pride Month and follow the process outlined above.

*Deadlines for Centralized Website and Event Promotion

• Hispanic Heritage Month- Monday, August 19, 2024
  
• Native American Heritage Month- Monday, October 7, 2024
• Black History Month- Monday, January 6, 2025
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month- Monday, March 3, 2025

All events should be submitted via the Campus Events Calendar. Please use the tag “History/Heritage Day, Week or Month."

*Events must be submitted with all relevant details including title, description, location, time, and RSVP details.

Sincerely,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

Dear faculty and staff,

Given the rapidly increasing threats to our cybersecurity, the University is taking various actions to safeguard the security of our Faculty & Staff data. To that end, CUNY created a 40-minute Cybersecurity Awareness training course, designed specifically for CUNY Faculty & Staff. This course covers various cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, spam, and hacked accounts, and best practices for safeguarding your data. You can view the course on Blackboard by clicking here or you can copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://bbhosted.cuny.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/announcement?method=search&context=course_entry&course_id=_2323635_1&handle=announcements_entry&mode=view

On February 13, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved the new CUNY Acceptable Use Of Digital Assets and Resources. The resolution for the new policy includes the following text:

WHEREAS, All Users will be required to complete technology training, including cybersecurity awareness training, as directed by the University.

Please complete the Cybersecurity Awareness training course by April 2024.

I have completed the 40-minute course and believe it will help users gain a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity risks we face, along with some best practices for safeguarding our data. By completing the required annual Cybersecurity Awareness Training course, we will be reducing CUNY’s Cybersecurity risk.

If you have any questions or need technical assistance regarding this training course, please contact Ka Cheng, at kcheng@qcc.cuny.edu.

Sincerely,
Chris

President Christine Mangino
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues,

At Queensborough, we are proud to celebrate Women’s History Month and all the women in our community who push this campus forward. The United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month since 1987. The month-long celebration, which includes International Women’s Day on March 8, highlights women's achievements and contributions.

This month I invite the campus to join me on Monday, March 25, from 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm on the fifth floor of the Administration Building in the President's Conference Room for this month's book club discussion of Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion Dollar Empire by Loida Lewis. Then on Tuesday, March 26 at 3:00 pm, please join me for a fireside chat with Loida Lewis. I will share more details on the fireside chat soon.

Please use the link below to register for the March Book Club.

Register

Sincerely,
Chris


Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

At Queensborough, we are excited to celebrate Black History Month and those in our community who identify as Black or part of the African Diaspora. I invite the entire campus to join me on Wednesday, February 28, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm on the fifth floor of the Administration Building for a reception, and from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm in the President's Conference Room for this month's book club discussion of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The reception will strengthen our community while celebrating the month. The time will allow us to share insights about our students and the campus connections to the cultures we celebrate. We welcome everyone, and refreshments will be served.

Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week, was created in 1926 by author and historian Carter G. Woodson. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans and acknowledge the collective struggle of African Americans to gain full citizenship in American Society.

I hope you will join me on Wednesday, February 28. Please use the links below to register for the February Book Club and to RSVP for the Black History Month reception. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President 

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the spring semester! Whether you spent your break teaching, traveling, spending time with loved ones, or just taking a well-deserved break, I hope you enjoyed your time and are excited to join me in welcoming our continuing students back to campus and introducing our new students to life at Queensborough.  

In the fall, we accomplished so much as a community and collectively turned challenges into opportunities. As we embark on a new semester, I want to thank everyone for continuing to move this institution forward as we progress on our Five-Year Strategic Plan goals and advance our reputation as a national leader in student success. Evidence of our hard work can be found in Queensborough Community College's eligibility to apply for the $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a prestigious and highly competitive award that recognizes the top colleges in the nation for their outstanding achievement in five critical areas: equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment, and workforce success. Queensborough is among only 150 community colleges nationwide selected to apply, and one of six in New York. This is proof that we are doing critical work that is being recognized.   

I am also pleased to share that as of Friday, January 26, we met our spring 2023 enrollment goals and are on track to exceed initial projections again. Our headcount for the spring 2024 semester is currently 9688, which is 579 (6.4%) more than we had last year this time. Additionally, our Full-time Enrollment (FTE) is at 6199, 346 more (5.9%) than last year. While there is still much work to do to reach pre-pandemic enrollment levels or our peak of 16,203, our community remains on the right track. With that in mind, we are also looking ahead to fall 2024. As fewer students are graduating from New York City public high schools, we are strategically increasing recruitment efforts in Nassau County and international markets and are working to formalize college access pipelines with local community-based organizations. 

Regarding campus facilities, we recently received notification from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) that they were approved to begin construction on the second phase of the Science Atrium and Cafeteria. As you might remember, the project has been in the works for many years but has been delayed multiple times due to factors outside our control. This recent approval means the project could start as early as the spring semester, requiring our patience and collaboration. While we have yet to receive definitive dates, we know the work will take roughly 18 months and need us to reimagine some of our daily activities. For example, the Oakland Loggia and Dining Room will serve as the main cafeteria. The Starbucks Café, which will offer grab-and-go options, will be relocated to the lobby of the Library Building. We will bring new healthy prepared food vending machines from the Farmers Fridge to the campus. We also will add menu items available for delivery through the QCC Connect Mobile App and are actively exploring additional on-campus dining options. While the news of the new timeline for this long-awaited project came as a surprise, DASNY manages construction projects for CUNY, so we must work within their timeline. As we approach the start of the project and learn more, we will share the details with you and its impact on our community.  

And a word about finances, I want to reassure you that our financial position remains consistent with what was shared at last semester’s State of the College. I will continue to communicate updates and information with transparency as it becomes available. Later this month, I will be traveling to Albany and meeting with our local representatives in the City Council to advocate for CUNY’s budget and the needs of our campus community. For now, let’s continue to focus on our students and encourage them to continue the path toward graduation. And, of course, ensuring that we give our students and each other the care that makes our community so special.  

Finally, to strengthen our culture of care and provide a way for people to connect with colleagues from different offices across campus, tomorrow, we will kick off monthly birthday celebrations! Following a recommendation from our colleagues, we will hold a small reception each month to celebrate those who have a birthday. Faculty and staff who have a birthday in January have already received invitations to a special birthday reception. We look forward to celebrating everyone as we move through the year.  

The spring semester, with its end-of-year celebrations, is always an exciting one at the College. We are already working towards our Partner for Progress Gala, which will be held at Terrace on the Park on May 15, and of course, plans are underway for this year’s Commencement Ceremony, which is May 31. I wish you all a productive and successful semester and look forward to celebrating our students with you!  

Sincerely, 
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, the nation paused to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which honors King’s legacy as a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to speaking out against racial injustice, inequality, and social issues. Today, January 16, 2024, communities across the country will participate in the National Day of Racial Healing. A day to acknowledge the values we share, build trust in each other, form genuine connections, and inspire collective action that furthers #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. 

Those actions are in line with the values of Queensborough’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center. At its core, the TRHT is about providing a platform for the dialogue that is needed to identify and repair institutional structures, practices, and processes that are producing racial inequities in outcomes. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity to create space for conversation, either one-on-one or with small groups.  In that spirit, Queensborough’s TRHT Campus Center will launch its next effort, which will center creating a space for you to join in this conversation. In the coming weeks, you will hear more from them on how you can get involved in sharing your story. Please consider lending your voice to this important work.

I hope this day gives you a chance to reflect on our caring community and our collective work to provide a space for one another that is respectful, affirming, and inclusive.

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President 

Dear Colleagues,

As president of Queensborough, I am grateful for the care we give, the opportunities we provide our students, and how we work together to advance the work of the College. I am encouraged each day by the commitment shown by our faculty and staff to ensure every student succeeds. 

Later this morning, faculty, staff, students, and elected officials will partner to distribute food and groceries for our Give Thanks, Give Back event. This outpouring of support for members of our campus community who are in need represents the best of who we are, and that is something for which we can all give thanks. 

Still, this time of year can be especially hard for many people, and I want to acknowledge those who are in that space right now. The Department of Counseling and the Office of Human Resources have resources available to help you navigate what may be a stressful time. Additionally, my door is always open if you need to check-in. 

The respect and concern that our College community shares with one another is unparalleled, and I am thankful to be a member of this amazing community.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. 

With gratitude,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President 

On Sunday, members of the Hindu and Sikh community will celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights.  The most holy holiday of the year for the community, Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and justice over injustice.  

Our entire community can also celebrate the victory of good over evil. I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what we each can do to bring good, light, knowledge, and justice to the Queensborough community. 

I extend my sincerest wishes for a joyful Diwali to those who observe. May the lights of the festival illuminate your celebrations with peace, good health, and prosperity. 

Sincerely, 
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President 

Dear Colleagues, 

This Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day. It is a time to pause, celebrate, and honor all service members for their willingness to sacrifice their lives to serve the good of others. 

I am grateful for our student-veterans on campus, whose commitment to serving others enriches our campus and adds to our caring community. 

I am also mindful of the more than 30,000 US Military Personnel who are currently stationed throughout the Middle East as the Israeli-Hamas War continues. 

Please join us in honoring all service members at the Charles F. Bova Veterans Memorial Grove, for the observation of Veterans Day, on Friday, November 10. The Memorial Grove is located inside the main campus gate on 56th Avenue, and the observance begins at 9:30 am. 

On behalf of the entire Queensborough community, thank you for your service, your selflessness, and your commitment to our country. 

Sincerely,  
Chris 

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President 

Dear Colleagues, 

At Queensborough, we are excited to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and those in our community who identify as Native Americans, Indigenous Americans, or Alaska Natives. I invite the entire campus to join me on Wednesday, November 1, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Administration Building for a reception. It will be an event that will strengthen our community while celebrating the month. The time will allow us to share insights about our students and the campus connections to the cultures we celebrate. We welcome everyone, and refreshments will be served.

Dear Colleagues, 

I am excited to share that Queensborough has a new way to welcome our students to campus.  

Our students come from 111 countries and speak 67 different languages. To celebrate our students’ diversity and our multilingual campus, we will raise new welcome flags to greet our community in the nine languages most spoken by our students. In alphabetical order, those languages are:  

• Arabic 
• Bengali 
• Cantonese 
• Creole 
• English 
• Korean 
• Mandarin 
• Spanish 
• Urdu  

Please join me and other community members on Wednesday, October 18, at 12:15 pm as we raise our new welcome flags. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to receive a sticker that will allow you to share the number of languages you speak. 

As students walk around campus and see their native language welcoming them to our community, they will have an increased sense of belonging and know there is a place for them at Queensborough. 

I hope to see you by the flagpole next week. 

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President

Dear Queensborough Community:  

This weekend, on the joyous holiday of Sukkot and on the sabbath, Jews around the world and within our own campus community learned of a surprise terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and its people. More than 1,600 people are believed to have died and 2,500 wounded, the vast majority of them innocent Israelis and Palestinian civilians. Hamas has reportedly captured more than 100 hostages, including women, children, and elderly people.  

Many within our community have direct connections to the region, including friends and family with whom they have not been able to contact. I was heartbroken and horrified to hear of neighbors who spent the weekend trying to call loved ones to make sure they were alive. I have heard of young people afraid to leave their homes out of fear of being profiled. I have spoken with so many friends and colleagues of all backgrounds who are understandably experiencing heightened levels of shock, pain, and fear.   

I recognize that conversations about what is happening can feel overwhelming and complex. With innocent lives being lost by the hour and millions more in harm's way, we must stand on our shared humanity and unite in mourning the lives lost. We must denounce the senseless murder of innocent civilians.  

On Saturday, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez released a statement condemning the terrorist attacks, calling them “a vicious act designed to further divide Jews and Muslims and reignite hostilities in the region.” Regardless of where our political sympathies lie, these attacks represent an unconscionable and intolerable escalation that we all must condemn.  

I spent the weekend reflecting on the consequences of this war. I thought about my own children, the students we serve, and all my friends and colleagues at Queensborough. It reinforced the vital role we, as educators, play in times like these.  

At the heart of our mission is the promotion of dialogue, the expansion of our capacity to appreciate diverse perspectives, and the resolution of complex problems. Education empowers us to advance human understanding and find peaceful solutions.   

At Queensborough, we will continue our work to keep our campus safe and inclusive for all. We recognize that members of our campus community may be deeply hurt, fearful, or angry. We will continue to foster dialogue, promote civility, and expand our capacity for different perspectives. We will embrace our students, faculty, and staff in navigating the emotional impact of this horrific and heartbreaking violence.  We will ensure that our College community has the tools and resources to sort through the daily issues unfolding in the Middle East and to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead.  

Let us acknowledge the stress of the situation and be reminded that the CUNY Work/Life Program remains available for faculty and staff, and counseling and student life teams remain available to support our students affected by ongoing developments, both within the region and locally. And, of course, my door is open.  

Sincerely,
Chris

Christine Mangino, President

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Nelmy Negrete, PHR, as the Executive Director of the Office of Human Resources, effective October 10. 

Nelmy Negrete joins Queensborough from New York City’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS), where she most recently served as the Chief Human Resources Officer. In that role, she created standardized procedures and policies for all human resources functions to optimize the use of information systems and increase communication within her team. Before SBS, she spent nearly a decade with New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), rounding out her tenure as Citywide Personnel Policy Director. As Citywide Personnel Policy Director at DCAS, she led the Citywide Personnel Policy Unit, guiding city Human Resources Departments in implementing standardized personnel policies, time and leave regulations, and handling sensitive matters that required legal counsel.  

Nelmy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a concentration in Human Resource Management and Philosophy, from Hofstra University. She also earned a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).  

I sincerely thank the search committee, chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Amaris Matos, for their time and commitment. In addition to Amaris, the search committee included: 

• David Lieberman, Professor, Physics 
• Lois Florman, Executive Counsel and Labor Designee 
• John Triolo, Public Safety Director 
• Bryan Farr, Inclusion Representative 
• Sangeeta Noel, Interim HR Executive Director 

I also appreciate the outstanding work of Interim HR Executive Director Sangeeta Noel, who served in the role while we filled this vacancy. She stepped into this role following Dean Liza Larios’ retirement despite her own plans to retire. Sangeeta will get her chance to retire on October 31, and I wish her well in this next phase of her journey. We are grateful for her commitment to our community. 

Please join me in welcoming Nelmy Negrete to Queensborough. We are fortunate to have her on our team. 

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

As a reminder, the September in-person book club meeting is next Thursday, September 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the President's Conference Room (A502).

We've had great conversations each month, and I know this month's selection will generate a good discussion, too. Instead of a book, we'll discuss a podcast episode of This American Life entitled "Three Miles," which you can read more about below. The book club is open to all faculty, staff, and students, and simply listening to the rich discussion is always welcomed.

You still have time to register or listen to the podcast. You will find links for both below.

I look forward to seeing you next Thursday!

Register

Chris

Dear Colleagues, 

At Queensborough, we are excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and those in our community identifying as Hispanic, Latino/a, and LatinX. I invite the entire campus to join me on Tuesday, October 3, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Administration Building for a reception. It will be an event that will strengthen our community while celebrating the month. The time will allow us to gather as a community to share insights about our students. We will also unveil a map highlighting our community's connections to the cultures we celebrate. We welcome everyone, and refreshments will be served.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of those who have roots in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, and Spain. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and became a 30-day celebration in 1988. Starting on September 15 is significant because it coincides with the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively. 

I hope you will join me on Tuesday, October 3. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President

Tomorrow, members of the Jewish community will prepare to observe Rosh Hashanah. Beginning at sundown Friday, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year and the start of a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates with Yom Kippur. This holy period is a time to contemplate wrongs, seek forgiveness, and look toward a new beginning.  

Our entire community can also participate in this period of introspection. With the start of a new academic year, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what we have learned over the past year with the hope of all that we will accomplish together in this new year.  

I extend my sincerest wishes for a Happy New Year to those who observe. May the importance of these sacred holidays bring a sense of optimism for the new year. 

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues, 

Thank you again for your commitment and hard work! Your efforts helped us reach our Fall 2023 enrollment goals and exceed our initial projections. While there is still much work to do to reach pre-pandemic enrollment levels, we are on the right path thanks to a robust and collaborative effort across divisions. 

As we welcome our continuing students back to college and help our new students navigate their first weeks, please keep in mind that, for many, the transition to college can feel challenging and stressful. Each of us plays a critical role in the retention and overall success of our students. 

As we work toward ensuring the success of every student, the College's Department of Strategic Initiatives and Digital Transformation is preparing to launch a new Transparent Insights Dashboard widget, which will provide every faculty and staff colleague with daily data insights right on their college desktop or laptop. Together, we can use these insights to engage in critical dialogue and make strategic and informed decisions as one community.  

The first version of the Transparent Insights Dashboard, which will automatically display when logged in, will provide daily updates on enrollment trends. You will be able to see how many students join our community each day, and how many leave. The widget will only be available on faculty or staff machines and can be minimized while working in other applications. 

OUR MOTIVATION 

Last Fall, between the first day of classes (August 25) and the day our final enrollment numbers were due to CUNY (September 14), we lost 357 students. This year, our final enrollment numbers are also due September 14. I invite you to follow along as we work together to retain every enrolled student and keep them to graduate and achieve all their goals!  

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER 

One of my favorite things to do at the start of each semester is welcome students to Queensborough and ask about their experiences. I am often reminded of how difficult the decision to enroll in college can be and how daunting the process itself can feel.  

Once admitted, students are faced with navigating degree requirements, building schedules that meet work and family obligations, and understanding how to pay for college - not to mention making sense of the limited public transportation that many use to come to campus. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that our students arrive on the first day of classes with the intent to succeed. That is why knowing how many students are lost during these first weeks is so disheartening. While this is not unusual in higher education, we have an opportunity to make a difference.

In speaking with our students, especially first-generation students, it is not uncommon to hear them say they were afraid to ask an important question during their first days of college out of fear that someone would find out they did not belong. And they are not alone. Many of us have experienced some form of imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. Some students even shared that they arrived feeling overwhelmed by the transition to college and questioned whether it was the right place for them.  

Many of our own students are experiencing this right now. Please remember that a friendly offer to walk a student to their class or campus resource can make a difference in their decision to return to campus the next day. In these instances, I think back to when my son started college. He would call home overwhelmed by the campus size compared to his high school and defeated when he could not find a classroom or office.  

Another small but impactful step is for us to consider how we can communicate with care, clarity, and consistency. It’s common to assume that a student can decode academic terms critical to their success, for instance, determining whether a course is a prerequisite. We also introduce them to unfamiliar places where they must handle business, such as the Registrar or the Bursar’s Office. We then ask them to quickly learn a world of new technologies like Blackboard, CUNYfirst, and DegreeWorks, and master the content within each. Please take a moment to help whenever and however you can. 

I know we all believe in the mission of our institution and the potential of our students, and the data shows that a little bit of encouragement and support can go a long way in improving the student experience and our retention rates. Similarly, a survey conducted by the Office of Institutional Research found that new students' top concern is making friends and establishing meaningful connections. This creates an opportunity for all of us. 

As we work towards fostering a culture of care on campus, please consider the difference a smile or proactive outreach can make on the trajectory of a student’s academic journey. Together, we can make what may seem like a daunting road ahead for our students one they will not travel alone. In fact, the spring 2022 Student Experience Survey (SES) found that a staggering 29% of students who did not return felt they had no one to help them navigate college – on or off campus – compared to 12% of enrolled students. 

As the data shows, our personal touch can make all the difference. And I am sure that as we continue to stand in the gap with our students, we will see them stay with us and finish strong.  

Sincerely,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President

Dear Queensborough Community,

The City University of New York (CUNY) is committed to diversity and equal opportunity in all employment practices. At Queensborough Community College, I fully support the policies and practices that we have implemented to foster non-discrimination, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. CUNY is enriched by the strengths of the people and perspectives represented here.

Accordingly, I am committed to overseeing Queensborough Community College's compliance with the CUNY Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct.

The Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Policy states CUNY's commitment to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, unemployment status, pregnancy, or status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state, and city laws. I remind you that Italian Americans are included among CUNY's protected groups. Additionally, as a federal contractor, CUNY engages in affirmative action consistent with federal requirements. I invite you to visit our Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging website to view the Equal Opportunity Policy, including the complaint procedures and prohibition against retaliation.

I have assigned the responsibility for implementing and monitoring our compliance program to the Senior Diversity Officer, Amaris Matos, who will also serve as the 504/ADA Coordinator.

It is also the University's policy to provide reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments, when appropriate, to individuals with disabilities, individuals observing religious practices, those with pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions, and victims of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses. The process for addressing these issues is outlined in CUNY's Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments and may be found at, Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments.

The vice presidents, deans, directors, managers, and supervisors share responsibility for ensuring our compliance with these policies and laws.

The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is in the Administration Building, room 309. The office can also be reached via telephone at 718-631-6391. Additionally, any individual who believes they have experienced employment discrimination should contact Amaris Matos at 718-631-6391 or email her at amatos@qcc.cuny.edu. Reports of discrimination and/or retaliation can also be made via the CUNY University-wide Discrimination and Retaliation Portal. Although the college would prefer the opportunity to investigate allegations of discrimination internally and remedy situations where the law or college and University policies have been violated, a complainant may, at any time, file a complaint of discrimination with a city, state, or federal administrative agency that enforces the law prohibiting discrimination. This information may be found by visiting the List of External Resources.

CUNY's Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and sexual violence. Inquiries concerning sexual misconduct or sex discrimination may be made to Belinda Delgado, Esq., Title IX Officer, whom I have designated to oversee such matters. Title IX support staff can be contacted in the Administrative Building, room 505, by phone at 718-281-5755. Information for filing such allegations externally may be found in the List of External Resources.

I appreciate your continued support to ensure equal opportunity, equity, and inclusion in all employment practices at Queensborough Community College.

Thank you,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino,
President

Dear faculty and staff,  

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all back to Queensborough Community College!   

Whether you spent your summer teaching, conducting research, working on campus, or taking some well-deserved time off, I hope you enjoyed your summer and are ready to greet the opportunities that await us this fall.  

We had some exciting things happen at Queensborough over the summer. The College welcomed two new members to its leadership team. Dr. Phyllis Curtis-Tweed joined us on August 1 as Provost and Vice President of the Office of Academic Affairs. Dr. Gissette Forte started on August 7 as the Vice President for Finance and Administration. I am excited to welcome them to our community. We also said goodbye to two respected colleagues, Dr. Sandra Palmer and Bill Faulkner, who held these positions, respectively. I am grateful for their countless contributions and congratulate them on their retirement.  

We are fortunate to welcome six new full-time faculty members this academic year, whose expertise will build upon the dedication to excellence in teaching that characterizes our caring community. Please join me in welcoming Lauren Ellis and Elizabeth Mauro, Nursing Department; Quintis Pinder, Library; Miguel Long, Business Department; Emily Epple, Engineering Technology; and Chy Sprauve, English Department and our first professor who is a part of CUNY’s Black, Race and Ethnic Studies Initiative (BRESI) and will work closely with the QCC Equity Institute. To all our new colleagues who have joined our family, we are happy to have you here!  

I am pleased to share that we met our Fall '23 enrollment goals and are on track to exceed initial projections. While there is still much work to do to reach pre-pandemic enrollments, we are certainly on the right track thanks to a strong and collaborative effort across divisions. Reaching our goals during a difficult time when nearly all colleges across the nation face declining enrollments is something we should all be proud of and look to resume as we move forward. I thank you.  

In other good news, Queensborough was among 20 organizations in New York State and one of two City University of New York (CUNY) colleges to receive a part of a $7.6 Million grant this summer from the Heckscher Foundation for Children to support workforce development. The Heckscher Foundation’s grant will support the College’s existing partnerships with employers to create career pathways for our students in the College’s Computer Engineering Technology program. The nearly $400,000 the College receives will support our work to align our curriculum with employer needs to ensure full-time employment for our students.  

Earlier this month, the Lucille A. Bova Food Pantry received a $7,500 donation from Stop & Shop. We know the use of the food pantry increased by 150% in the last academic year, and this donation will help us meet the increased need on campus.  

And just this week, WalletHub ranked Queensborough the best Community College in New York State for 2023!  

As we begin a new academic year, our Five-Year Strategic Plan continues to guide our work as we pursue our vision to provide all our students with transformational, inclusive, and equitable opportunities that will ensure their academic success.   

Toward that end, the Center for Tutoring and Academic Support (CTAS), located in the Library Building, has been renovated and expanded to include the Mathematics Learning Center. CTAS now serves as a one-stop learning center, providing tutoring for all essential courses across all subjects.  

The former Director of the Mathematics Learning Center, Elizabeth Nercessian, has taken on the new Director of Student Success role and other retention initiatives. As you know, developing a model that provides students with a first-year experience that links curricula and co-curricular programming with career and/or transfer goals is a key goal outlined in our Strategic Plan.   

Also, in the Library Building, construction is well underway for the development of the new one-stop  Technology Support and Service Center (TSSC). Once complete, the Center will provide students, faculty, and staff with a single point of contact for their technical support and service needs.  

Finally, we relaunched our Port of Entry (POE) program, an intense language development program designed to provide international students and new immigrants with the language and skills to succeed in higher education and professional careers in the United States.  Maz Nikoui–Tehrani, who will now serve as the program’s director, joined members of my Cabinet to announce this news at a press conference hosted by the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA) earlier this month.  

In support of our Strategic Plan’s focus on digital culture, the Department of Strategic Initiatives and Digital Transformation (formerly known as Web and Application Services) launched the first version of the brand new QCC Connect mobile app, which was developed in-house and greets students with a personalized tip for success, among other helpful information, each time the app is opened.  

Last Thursday, we celebrated the establishment of the Male Resource Center on the Upper Level of the Student Union with a ribbon-cutting event attended by several elected officials, donors, and community partners (click here for pictures). Led by Director Jamal Briggs and the vision of five colleagues who participated in the USC Equity Institute, the Center is a result of a $450,000 grant from Robin Hood. It is dedicated to increasing male students' retention and graduation rates, focusing on self-identified Black and Latino males disproportionately impacted by opportunity barriers along their academic journey.

(See coverage of the event in the Queens Courier).

Last week, we marked the start of the fall semester by welcoming new and continuing students to “QCC Day” (see photos from the day here). We encouraged them to ask questions and make meaningful connections with their faculty, staff, and student peers. I am grateful for everyone who came out and helped make the day a success. I also wish to extend special thanks to our advisors and colleagues who spent the summer months registering students for the start of the semester and our Buildings & Grounds staff, who worked tirelessly to prepare the campus for the start of the semester.  

Your involvement and continued dedication to our Strategic Plan are essential, and I am grateful for each colleague’s unique contributions to helping our students succeed. Across CUNY and here on campus, we continue to make progress toward our enrollment and budget goals. In the days and weeks ahead, you’ll be receiving updates about our recent equity-focused work with the Gardner Institute and Achieving the Dream and learn more about our work with the Jed Foundation to protect student mental health. You’ll also be hearing more about the Kupferberg Holocaust Center's (KHC) new collaboration with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s (USHMM) Community of Holocaust Education Centers (CHEC), which will bring a two-part professional development workshop to Queensborough this fall designed specifically for faculty teaching at the community college level. 

This is an exciting time for our college as we engage in work that will support our students and serve as a model for institutions of higher learning. I wish you all a productive and successful fall semester and look forward to the year ahead. 

Christine
-- 
Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am deeply saddened to share that we have learned, through widespread media reports, of a Queensborough student who has been the victim of a homicide at her home in Brooklyn.

The student aspired to become a nurse and was described as “a family girl” who always put others before herself. Her desire to enter the nursing profession to show compassion and provide care for others makes this tragedy all the more devastating.

I am reaching out directly to those faculty with whom the student studied, and, in the coming days, I will engage with the family to extend condolences on behalf of our College community.

As this student’s tragic story continues to be shared across various media outlets, I ask that we all look out for one another. If you become aware of a student or colleague who is in need of support or would like to talk, please encourage them to contact the CUNY Work/Life Program for Faculty & Staff or the QCC Counseling Center for students. And, of course, my door is always open.    

Chris
-- 
Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community:

As you know, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the heart of Turkey and Syria, marking the strongest to hit the region in over 100 years. Hundreds of powerful aftershocks have been felt since Monday. There have been over 20,000 reported deaths, and hundreds of thousands more have been left homeless. In addition, freezing temperatures have further complicated rescue missions. It is difficult to fathom the suffering and fear being felt at the quake’s epicenter and beyond. 

The Division of Student Affairs is actively reaching out to students who self-identified as being from the region. We ask for your help to show care and support for our students and colleagues who might be impacted by the disaster or have friends, family, and loved ones in the region. Please know that we are here for you, and my door is always open to anyone who needs to talk.

For many in our College community, being far from their families during these tragic situations is a very trying experience. Please remember that our Counseling Center is always available to provide personal support. Faculty and Staff may seek assistance through the CUNY Work/Life Program. The City University of New York is building a disaster relief resource webpage, which will be live tomorrow. In the interim, I encourage you to explore these opportunities to help the victims.

Let us all contribute in any way we can to bring care and relief to those who so desperately need our help.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

On Veterans Day we pause and reflect on the generations of service members who have put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom and democratic ideals. 

Their courage and personal sacrifice inspires and enriches our community and are valued and needed in our classroom, communities, and around the world. 

Please join us in honoring our service members at the Charles F. Bova Veterans Memorial Grove, located inside the main campus gate on 56th Avenue on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11 at 9:30am. 

On behalf of the entire Queensborough community, thank you to all veterans for your service, your selflessness, and your commitment to our country. 

We salute you. 

Chris
Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community:

As you may know, Michael Khan, who served as the Executive Coordinator in the Office of the President, left Queensborough this summer to pursue an exciting opportunity with New York City Tech. I know many of us enjoyed working with him and continue to miss his valued contributions to our campus community.

I am pleased to welcome Lanaia DuBose as Chief of Staff within the Office of the President. Following a national search, Lanaia will serve as an instrumental member of my administration, working to streamline processes and procedures, operationalize our strategic plan, and enhance opportunities for collaboration with my office and members of our College community.

Lanaia brings a wealth of experience to her new role and shares my values of transparency, inclusivity, and belonging. She joins us from LaGuardia Community College where she served as the Confidential Executive Officer to the Vice President of Adult and Continuing Education and was a leader in strategic planning (including Middle States, American Council on Education, and the LaGuardia Strategic Plan), institutional effectiveness, and scholarship administration.

Prior to LaGuardia, she served as a Program Officer at the Institute of International Education, working on projects that increased access to higher education for students across the globe as well as grant programs that helped develop and educate nonprofit organizations overseas.

Lanaia has earned an M.A. in International Relations with a focus on International Education and a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Seton Hall University. She completed her B.A. in European History at Elon University where her undergraduate thesis was on the experience of Afro-Germans during the Holocaust.

When Lanaia is not working, she is honing her skills in drawing comics. Starting today, October 17, she will be located on the 5th Floor of the Administration Building, room 504. Elaine Ioannou, Confidential Executive Assistant, will remain in the President’s Office, room 502. Please join me in welcoming Lanaia to Queensborough.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President 
Queensborough Community College

Dear Faculty:

If you haven't heard the good news already, I'm excited to announce that Queensborough Community College is furthering our dedication to quality teaching and student success by launching a partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to equip faculty members with evidence-based teaching practices.

Research shows that when faculty use evidence-based teaching practices, students are more engaged, learn more, persist in their studies, and graduate in more substantial numbers. This partnership will help prepare faculty to implement all of the essential teaching practices shown to improve student outcomes.

The response to the ACUE experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Here's what several Queensboorugh colleagues have had to say:

• "The ACUE course has provided me with deeper insights into how I can improve my teaching techniques and offer my students a more engaging learning experience. Thank you!"

• "This class was invaluable. I found it highly motivating. I have been teaching for 20 years, and I found that some things I was doing instinctually had research-based support. I am highly motivated by professional development opportunities. I am very grateful to have had this one. It is one of the most useful professional development courses I've taken in years. Thank you very much!"

• "It has provided me with insight into many issues I had not thought about prior to taking the course. It has made me more aware of my multifaceted role as educator, and has given me some tools to incorporate into my teaching repertoire."

• "Overall, this ACUE course has been eye-opening! I've learned so many strategies that are practical. This experience has really helped me reflect on the environment I'm creating in the classroom, and I feel much more confident going forward and inviting student input and feedback to help create a more welcoming, inclusive space."

Faculty across Queensborough Community College are invited to complete ACUE's, 25-module course in Effective Teaching Practices or Effective Online Teaching Practices with a cohort of their colleagues and guided by a facilitator. The program requires course-takers to implement evidence-based teaching practices in their classes, complete written reflections, and engage in meaningful discussions with their colleagues. 

Faculty who successfully complete the course will be awarded a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). The partnership is supported by the Office of Academic Affairs.  

We encourage our faculty colleagues to apply by completing this application by Monday, October 10.

Sincerely,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President 

Dear Queensborough Community:

As you know, Sunday marks the twenty-first anniversary of September 11, 2001.

After all these years, the day does not get any easier. We vividly remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with on that fateful Tuesday morning.

We have all been affected. And we will never forget all those lost, including members of our community. This has been a particularly difficult year for me as my partner, John, who worked in one of the towers, passed in January due to cancer related to that horrific morning.

With that in mind, I encourage all eligible New Yorkers who lived or worked south of Canal Street in the months following 9/11 to enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program and complete annual screenings.

As painful as these memories are, I remain inspired by the communities of support formed to comfort and aid the courageous first responders and the grieving families of victims. I’ve heard heartfelt stories of courage and resilience from within our own community, a community united in its values of inclusion, understanding, and hope. A community of care.

This Sunday, let us pause to remember and honor those we lost on 9/11, the thousands of responders and survivors who have died since, and to reflect upon our common purpose as educators of helping our students work towards a better future and a better world for everyone. I invite you to explore the following information and resources regarding September 11.

• A Tribute: 2001-2021, a QCC Art Gallery installation by former Queensborough student Chris Landano 
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Primer for educators and students
• Interactive Timelines
• Library of Congress - Reflections with poetry reading guide
• National Parks Service - Flight 93 - National Memorial Pennsylvania
• National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
• 9/11 Day of Service - September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Faculty and Staff:

The City University of New York (CUNY) has a long-standing commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment practices. At Queensborough Community College, I fully support the policies and practices that we have implemented to foster non-discrimination, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It is my personal belief that CUNY is enriched by the strengths of the people and perspectives represented here.

Accordingly, I am committed to overseeing Queensborough Community College's compliance with the CUNY Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and on Sexual Misconduct.

The Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Policy states CUNY's commitment to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, unemployment status, pregnancy, or status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state, and city laws. I remind you that Italian Americans are included among CUNY's protected groups. Additionally, as a federal contractor, CUNY engages in affirmative action consistent with federal requirements. I invite you to visit our Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging website to view the Equal Opportunity Policy in its entirety, including the complaint procedures and prohibition against retaliation.

I have assigned the responsibility for implementation and monitoring of our compliance program to the Chief Diversity Officer, Amaris Matos, who will also serve as the 504/ADA Coordinator.

It is also the University's policy to provide reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments, when appropriate, to individuals with disabilities, individuals observing religious practices, individuals who have pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions and victims of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses. The process for addressing these issues is set forth in CUNY's Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments and may be found at: Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments.

The vice presidents, deans, directors, managers, and supervisors share responsibility for ensuring our compliance with these policies and laws.

The Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is located in the Administration Building, room 309. The office can also be reached via telephone at 718-631-6391. Additionally, any individual who believes that he or she has experienced employment discrimination should immediately contact Amaris Matos at 718-631-6391 or email her at amatos@qcc.cuny.edu. Although the college would prefer the opportunity to investigate allegations of discrimination internally and remedy situations where the law or college and University policies have been violated, a complainant may, at any time, file a complaint of discrimination with a city, state or federal administrative agency that enforces the law prohibiting discrimination. This information may be found here: List of External Resources

CUNY's Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries concerning sexual misconduct or sex discrimination may be made to Belinda Delgado, Esq., Title IX Officer, whom I have designated to oversee such matters. Ms. Delgado's office is located in the Administration Building, room 413. The office can also be contacted at 718-281-5755 or by email at BDelgado@qcc.cuny.edu. Information for filing such allegations externally may be found at: List of External Resources.

I ask for your continued support to ensure equal opportunity, equity, and inclusion in all employment practices at Queensborough Community College.

Thank you,

Christine Mangino, Ed. D.
President

Dear Colleagues:

You may remember that when I joined Queensborough two years ago, I met with over 500 members of our campus community and established a task force for community engagement to better understand and assess the needs of our community. Consistent with the findings outlined in the Middle State Self-Study, many of you expressed a desire to learn, grow, and advance through increased opportunities for professional development. Some also recommended that the College bring colleagues together at specific times throughout the academic year to engage in these opportunities. As we developed our first-ever five-year strategic plan, the desire for professional development was again clearly expressed and became a key element of the Campus Culture section.

Toward that end, I am pleased to announce that Queensborough will offer bi-monthly professional development opportunities for faculty and staff! Like our longstanding tradition of providing student club hours from 12PM-2PM on Wednesdays, administrative directors will be asked to provide staff with the time and encouragement to participate in professional development activities on two Fridays per month. The second and fourth Friday of each month from 10AM-11AM will be known as Professional Development Hour. We ask that you limit divisional meetings and other obligations during these times.

I invite you to click here to learn more and register for the two new professional development series hosted by the College. The Transparency Series will focus on developing greater transparency about college processes, resources, and initiatives, and the Identity Series will focus on deepening our understanding of our students' identities. Each session was designed based on your feedback, and the topics for the Transparency Series were directly informed by the responses received to the professional development survey administered last year. We will also be sharing details about additional professional development opportunities, such as LinkedIn Learning, in the coming weeks. 

I thank everyone who shared their vision for a more supportive Queensborough, and I look forward to an ongoing dialogue about inclusive collaboration and ideas.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community,

As you’ve probably heard, a decision was made today by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. And yesterday, the Supreme Court struck down New York’s concealed carry law that has been in place since 1911.

Within our community, I’ve heard from students and colleagues who have reached out to share their feelings, including uncertainty about the impact of these historic decisions and concerns about how they will disproportionally impact people of color.

I recognize that people are feeling a variety of emotions right now and ask that we all keep in mind that the news of this historic decision will affect each one of our students and colleagues differently.

Let us also remember the importance of supporting and caring for one another during these times. If you, or someone you know, needs assistance, please remember that the following resources are available:

• CUNY Work/Life Program for Faculty & Staff; and
• the QCC Counseling Center for students.

And, of course, if you are in need of someone to listen, my door is always open.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community,

As you know, in just a few weeks we will hold our 61st Commencement Ceremony, celebrating our Class of ’22 graduates who have come from all over the world to begin their college journey here at Queensborough. Their wonderful achievement is a well-earned first step to a promising future. But as promising as their futures may be, for many that promise of a safe and successful future will be impaired by systemic racism and anti-Black violence.

The heinous hate crime that took place in Buffalo on Saturday has once again rocked our nation to the core as we are forced to confront the threats to safety that regularly impact our Black communities, and other marginalized communities. The pain, anxiety, and trauma experienced by our Black community on Saturday is one they live through every day.

I have always been moved by Queensborough’s culture of empathy, compassion, and care. We must continue to be aware of how racism affects our students and each other, and we must work harder to eliminate anti-Blackness and racism in our communities.

Let us continue together as the strong, empathetic, and resilient community we are, to comfort and support those in our community who have been traumatized by yet another senseless act of hate and racist violence.

If you are in need of support, I encourage you to contact the CUNY Work/Life Program. Students can contact the Counseling Center at 718-631-6370 or text “CUNY” to 741741. If you just wish to talk, I invite you to stop by my office on the fifth floor of the Administration Building. I, along with the members of my cabinet, are here for you.

Christine

Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

I invite you to join me on Wednesday, Mar 23, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for the spring Common Read virtual event featuring special guest Claudia Rankine. A distinguished poet, playwright, and essayist, Claudia will read excerpts from her award-winning book-length prose poem, Citizen: An American Lyric.  

I enjoyed the book, and although the content is heart wrenching, the writing is beautiful and powerful. I appreciate how much the Common Read brings us together and was fortunate enough to see this in action during a visit to Professor Nathaniel Sullivan’s digital art class where his students were creating a visual text of the chapter about Serena Williams’ experiences. 

Among her numerous awards and honors over the years, Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award for Citizen, the first book in the award’s history to be nominated in both poetry and criticism. 

In Citizen, Rankine examines the effects of racism today from microaggressions to overt attacks. Drawing on works from Frederick Douglass to James Baldwin to Homi Bhabha and incorporating images from artists such as Nick Cave and Carrie Mae Weems, Citizen is part poetry, part art, and part essay. This ground-breaking text could not be timelier, providing entryways for all disciplines to join the discussion of how we address race and racism in America.

During her academic career, Rankine taught literature and creative writing at Case Western Reserve University, Barnard College, the University of Georgia, the University of Houston, and Pomona College, and in 2015–16 she served as the Aerol Arnold Chair of English at the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She subsequently joined the faculty at Yale University. Rankine joined the NYU Creative Writing Program as a tenured Professor in Fall 2021.

Thank you to Raquel Corona, a Doctoral Lecturer in the English Department, Laura Cohen, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Harriet & Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center and Amaris Matos, Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for facilitating this exceptional event.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Students, Faculty & Staff: 

I know you join me in extending our heartfelt thoughts to all those who are being impacted by the growing crisis in Ukraine. 

As the Governor pointed out, New York is proudly home to the largest Ukrainian population in the United States. And Queensborough, one of the most diverse colleges in the country, is standing by to support our students and colleagues who may have family and friends in harm’s way and suffering due to the conflict unfolding in eastern Europe. 

We recognize that the news and images associated with this global crisis might cause our active and veteran service members increased levels of stress and discomfort. Throughout the College’s history, generations of brave service members have been saluted for protecting our freedom and democratic ideals. On behalf of the entire Queensborough community, I wish to thank all active and veteran service members, now and always, for their courage, selflessness, and commitment. I also wish to express my deep appreciation for our Office of Military and Veterans Services, which remains a steadfast community in support of our military students at Queensborough. 

Please know we are here for you, and all members of our college community, during these stressful and uncertain times. If you are in need of support, I encourage you to contact the Student Counseling Center at 718-631-6370 or the CUNY Work/Life Program for faculty and staff. If you or a family member is currently impacted by this crisis and just wish to talk or share your story, I invite you to stop by my office on the fifth floor of the Administration Building. I, along with the members of my cabinet, would love to hear from you.

Chris

Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community:

Queensborough’s first-ever five-year strategic plan officially launched earlier this month during our second annual State of the College event. I am incredibly proud of the final document, which was only made possible because of your thoughtful and valued contributions. 

As part of the inclusive and unprecedented development process, I met with over 500 members of our community, reviewed your survey responses, and listened carefully to your feedback and ideas during our town hall meetings and workshops. I remain grateful to the President’s Taskforce for Community Engagement for helping to facilitate these opportunities, and I am confident you will see many aspects of your hopes and aspirations for our future together reflected in the final Strategic Plan.

Throughout my year and a half as your President, and despite the stresses and uncertainty of the times, I’ve remained steadfast in my commitment to further cultivate a culture of care and continued to share my vision for a more equitable future. You will notice this commitment and vision reflected in all areas of our Strategic Plan.  

The plan includes important goals related to the academic success of our students and, especially important, is that one-third of our plan is focused on campus culture. As committed as I am to cultivating an equitable learning and working environment, I am equally committed to helping Queensborough develop itself into a community where every member feels included, heard, and has a sense of belonging.

I encourage you to review the aspirational document here.

I am also proud that, over the past 18 months, our community has taken significant action to lay the foundation for the work outlined in the plan starting with the creation of two new positions.

Last year, Dr. Kerri-Ann Smith became the inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Since then, she established and leads a 15-member task force to act on anti-racist pedagogical principles. She also developed the Thriving in Academia lecture series and is the principal investigator of a mini-grant focused on mentoring mid-career faculty. Additionally, she secured Queensborough's membership in the National Center for Faculty Diversity and Development (NCFDD), the first community college in the country to join. Please watch for more news about this exciting opportunity to be announced in the coming days.  

The College also appointed Ms. Amaris Matos as its first Executive Advisor to the President for Equity, a cabinet-level position and the first of its kind at a CUNY community college. Since then, Amaris has led several significant initiatives including the Equity Institute, an eight-week cross-divisional learning experience that provided a decisive opportunity for Queensborough to be at the forefront of addressing inequities on campus and shaping how the College will move forward in the areas of student retention and graduation. She also led the administration on the campus climate surveys and, because of her leadership, Queensborough became the only college in New York City to launch an AAC&U Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center. 

While a solid foundation has been put in place, additional supports and structures are needed for the college to continue this unprecedented work and achieve our shared vision. As such, I am especially pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Amaris Matos to the role of Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. In this role, Amaris will assume the additional responsibilities of the Chief Diversity Officer, a position previously held by Jo Pantaleo who retired in the Fall.

As part of this restructure, Amaris will oversee the existing Affirmative Action, Pluralism, Diversity and Compliance Office and lead its transition to the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, a subset of the Office of the President. The restructure and renaming are intentional steps to continue transforming the context for conversations about diversity from compliance to community.  

The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will develop and provide several new services to the community based on your feedback, including new opportunities for personal and professional development. The office will also serve a pivotal role in advancing the college’s campus culture and equity goals. Additional details regarding these services and the development of the office will be shared in the coming weeks.

I am deeply grateful to all our colleagues who have been engaging in this inspiring work, spearheading bold initiatives, and are taking action to create a culture of care on campus. This is how our community will come together as never before. This is how real change happens.

With gratitude and appreciation for you,

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community:

I am pleased to announce that national searches for our next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Librarian have launched. 

As you know, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs plays a critical role in the academic success of our students. The position calls for an accomplished, collaborative, and transformational leader with a commitment to equity. Our goal is to identify a visionary leader who can elevate Queensborough to the forefront of theory and practice. They should also be someone who inspires a culture of caring and with demonstrated outcomes in the area of student success.

We invite nominations for and applications from individuals interested in assuming this leadership role and invite you to share this opportunity within your networks: Job Description.

I wish to extend special thanks to our colleagues serving on the committee, chaired by Dr. Brian Mitra, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. They include:

• Dr. Sandra Palmer, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dr. Kerri-Ann Smith, Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Dr. Naydu Carmona, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences & Geology, Affirmative Action Representative
• Dr. Philip Pecorino, Social Sciences, Faculty Executive Committee
• Dr. Jeffery Jankowski, Chairperson and Professor, Psychology
• Dr. Belle Birchfield, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology
• Dr. Zivah Perel Katz, Associate Professor, English

Queensborough Community College also invites applications from innovative leaders interested in assuming the critical role of Chief Librarian. The successful candidate will have outstanding foundational knowledge and interpersonal skills. They will introduce and implement new ways that the library can serve the research, creativity, and pedagogy of our faculty, and support the educational experiences of our students: Job Description

I extend my deepest thanks to Sandra Palmer and Connie Williams for their continued services to our community in the capacity of interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Chief Librarian, respectively, as we conduct national searches. Connie will assume her role as interim Chief Librarian, effective March 4, following the retirement of our long-time colleague and friend, Professor Jeannie Galvin. We extend our best wishes and congratulate Jeannie on her many accomplishments.

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

I regret to inform you that former Queensborough Community College President, Dr. Kurt R. Schmeller, passed away on Saturday, January 15.

Dr. Schmeller, 84, served as President of Queensborough for 32 years (from 1966 to 1999). He was just 29 when he was named the College’s third President. He was a former assistant to the president and history professor at Wisconsin State. During his tenure, Dr. Schmeller presided over historic growth and change at Queensborough and throughout the country. His vision for the College ran parallel to these changes. He advocated for students to attend college who would not, under ordinary admission standards, be eligible for enrollment. In his first year as President, he founded a performing arts series, established an art gallery on the third floor of the administration building and broke ground on three new buildings, including the library, now known as the Kurt R. Schmeller Library.

His accomplishments and contributions to Queensborough included the establishment of Port of Entry, an innovative program developed to ease adjustment to life in the United States for foreign students, particularly those from China. It was considered the first such comprehensive program in the country.

Dr. Schmeller opened an off-campus extension center to assist students interested in aviation and transportation-related areas of study. Classes were held in Pan American Cargo Building #67 at JFK International Airport. He invited Senator Robert Kennedy to speak on campus on January 10, 1968, to a packed gymnasium. Five months later, Senator Kennedy was assassinated. In May of 1969, the gymnasium was named in Kennedy’s honor.

Dr. Schmeller was an ardent supporter of the QCC Art Gallery. He and his wife Beata regularly attended Art Gallery openings on campus until a few years ago due to his health.

Dr. Schmeller, who was born in Johnson City, N.Y., majored in European history at Bates College and earned his master's and doctoral degrees at Princeton.

Visitation will be held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home today from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. A service will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, January 19 at 11:00am at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Interment, Flushing Cemetery. A memorial will occur in the spring. Donations in memory of Dr. Schmeller may be made to the QCC Art Gallery.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

Queensborough Community College is proud to have been selected by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to host a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center. The TRHT Campus Center initiative is a nationwide effort to provide a platform for facilitated dialogues that challenge limiting narratives about race and strengthen understanding of our shared humanity.

Today is the 6th annual National Day of Racial Healing, and it is with great excitement that the College celebrates the day with an announcement of the upcoming launch of Queensborough’s TRHT Campus Center.

During a special event, Queensborough will officially launch its TRHT Campus Center on February 9, 2022. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join us as we virtually welcome Dr. Tia Brown McNair to Queensborough. Dr. McNair is the Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at AAC&U in Washington, DC.

During the event, Dr. McNair will discuss the national TRHT Campus Center effort, share the initiative's history, and explain how the Queensborough TRHT Campus Center will help advance the College's broader equity, inclusion, and belonging goals. Dr. McNair's presentation will be followed by a campus meet and greet with the TRHT team.

AAC&U TRHT Campus Centers:
Connecting Queensborough to a National Movement

February 9, 2022, from 3:00-4:30pm

Dear Colleagues:

I am sending you this virtual CUNY Bouquet as a thank you for your support  this #CUNYTuesday. I am so proud of the extraordinary job the Queensborough community did to raise funds that will help to ensure our students succeed!  

While we did not outraise Kingsborough Community College who challenged us this year, we did raise $60,000, more than twice as much as last year, and $10,000 more than our goal! There is no doubt that your care for our students made everyone a winner in this challenge. 

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues:

Tomorrow is a big day for Queensborough Community College! As part of #GivingTuesday, the national day in which people donate to causes close to their hearts, all of CUNY’s 25 colleges are challenging each other to see which institution can raise the most money to help its students. This university-wide competition is called #CUNYTuesday, and I need your help in supporting our students.

Kingsborough Community College President, Dr. Claudia Schrader, recorded this video, directly challenging our faculty and staff to raise more money than Kingsborough. Please take a moment to watch the 20-second video she sent me! The President of the losing campus will wear the other college’s swag for a day.

Kingsborough’s tradition of annual giving during this time of year was established a long time ago. They are currently in the lead having raised $26,832 to our $21,381, but I am confident we will overtake them! As I said to President Schrader, the Queensborough spirit and pride are formidable! 

Please join us in our effort to help students succeed and continue on their path to earning a degree. You can donate online at CUNYTuesday.org and CUNY employees can give through fast, easy and secure payroll deduction.. If every faculty and staff member committed just $10 per pay period, we would raise nearly $400,000 for our students and everyone would win!

As a special thanks to you from me, all gifts totaling $50 or more will include a limited edition Queensborough pennant which you can display in your home or office with pride. You could also be entered to win a donated iPad or two tickets to a Broadway show courtesy of me!

Please forward this email to a friend, colleague, or loved one and ask them to join you in supporting our community. Let’s come together, show our Tiger Pride, and demonstrate how we are one community with infinite possibilities!

Thank you, always, for caring.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

As the fall semester comes to a close, I want to express how thankful I am to be part of the Queensborough community. You are the reason we were able to come back strong this term, and you are the reason we are able to approach the winter and spring semesters filled with so much hope. Thank you for everything you do, seen and unseen, to ensure our students never lose sight of their goal of earning a college degree.

One of the things I love most about Queensborough is the Community of Care I observe and of which I am glad to be a part. This morning, faculty, staff, students, elected officials and other community partners will join at 11:00 AM to distribute food and groceries to members of our campus community who are in need. Local businesses, inspired by care of our students, donated fresh turkeys, pies, and produce so that all our students would have access to a holiday meal this year. I am grateful for not only today’s outpouring of support, but for all the care that I see extended throughout the year, in every respect.

Our outstanding faculty and staff are dedicated to the success of our students. I am grateful to our alumni and friends of the College for their generosity and support. Please know how much Queensborough appreciates you.

As we give thanks for all that we have and the opportunities that we’ve been provided, I ask that we take a moment to reflect and consider the importance of giving back. Many are often surprised to learn that nearly 60% of our students experience some form of basic needs insecurity. These include essentials such as housing, food, transportation, childcare, and healthcare. The data shows that these are among the greatest barriers to graduating. At Queensborough, we are committed to ensuring that every student can succeed.

Next week we will participate in #CUNYTuesday, and our efforts will focus on raising funds for services that respond to students in need to keep them on track to graduate. You do not need to wait to make a difference. You can contribute to the campaign today at cunytuesday.org or through CUNY’s fast, easy and secure payroll deduction program. As a special thanks to you from me, all gifts of $50 or more will include a limited edition Queensborough pennant which you can display with pride. Donors will also automatically be entered to win one of three 4-packs of suite tickets to attend the NBA Nets vs. Phoenix Suns at the Barclay Center on 11/27/2021 at 7pm, valued at $700. This prize was generously donated by East West Bank. Please click here to learn more and accept my sincere gratitude for all that you do today and every day.  

The respect and concern that our College community demonstrates for others is a hallmark of Queensborough. Please remember that in these unprecedented times, some of our friends and colleagues may also need our support and encouragement more than ever.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues,

Today we honor our veterans who serve our country and our community. We are grateful for the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect our freedom and democratic ideals.

Many of Queensborough's students, faculty, and staff have served our country, and many are currently serving. Their presence and contribution to the character of our institution is immeasurable.

For several years Queensborough has earned the designation of a Military Friendly college, including 2021-2022. We are recognized as a top destination for embracing military students, offering leading programs to ensure their academic success. It is a privilege to work with all our veterans.

On behalf of the entire Queensborough community, thank you to all veterans for your service, your courage, your selflessness, and your commitment to our country.

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College | CUNY

Dear Colleagues:

I have great news to share! Queensborough has been named an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College, which means we are eligible for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence! 

This prestigious and highly competitive award (valued at up to $1 million) recognizes the nation’s top colleges for outstanding achievement in five critical areas: equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, and workforce success.

If you have not heard of the Aspen Prize, the nomination itself is an extraordinary honor and a signature recognition acknowledging your demanding work and steadfast commitment to our students. The award, as President Obama called it, is known as “the Oscars for great community colleges."

Over the next two months, we will work on a data-rich submission that includes an overview of our student success and equity trajectory as well as college-wide goals for improvement. We will also share information about our response to students’ needs since the pandemic. If successful, we will welcome Aspen representatives next year to the campus for in-person evaluations and college-wide interviews, including conversations about student success and equity. The Prize is announced in spring 2023.

Whether we are awarded the top prize or not, we have already won. The nomination process provides us a unique opportunity to improve and continue to serve as a national model for teaching and learning, degree completion, and successful entry into the workforce.

There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the U.S.; 150 were nominated, including five other CUNYs: BMCC, Hostos, Kingsborough, LaGuardia, and Guttman.

BMCC, Kingsborough, and Hostos are previous Aspen Top Ten finalists. In addition to benefits for students, Aspen nominees and awardees are often recipients of substantial grants from organizations and philanthropists. They are also better equipped to advocate for support from state legislatures, governors, and other officials. Aspen colleges usually notice a boost in staff and faculty recruitment, too.

I am looking forward to this process and working with you. Queensborough graduates have often told me how the College–and your care for them–has transformed their lives in so many ways. I think this Aspen process will do the same for us by galvanizing our entire college community to further grow and learn from each other.

Congratulations on your nomination. It is well deserved!

Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College | CUNY

Dear Queensborough Community,

It is hard to believe that twenty years have passed since September 11, 2001. That tragic, fateful morning changed our city and nation, and altered the course of history forever.

Amidst the cataclysmic destruction, 9/11 revealed the incredible strength, resilience, and courage of our great city and the American people.

The heroes of 9/11 included hundreds of first responders whose sacrifice will live in our hearts forever. Many of those who miraculously survived have suffered chronic and sometimes fatal illnesses as a result of the toxins released at the World Trade Center site.

My partner, John, worked at the World Trade Center and survived. Many of his friends and colleagues have passed away over the years due to 9/11-related illnesses. Others, including John, are still dealing with the consequences of that frightful morning.

Members of our own campus community served as first responders, and many members and friends of our community sacrificed their own lives and lost loved ones on that horrific day.

The moving stories you have shared with me about your experience that day and in the weeks that followed, responding to the needs of our students and campus community, are a testament to Queensborough’s strength of community. This Friday, to mark the Twentieth Anniversary of September 11, 2001, the College will host a photography installation and student poster exhibition at the QCC Art Gallery, depicting scenes from Ground Zero, and a Day of Giving to respond to a current crisis – Tropical Storm Ida, which destroyed parts of Queens and the surrounding communities, and devastated many of our students, faculty, and staff.

9/11 Photography Installation and Student Poster Exhibition: Friday, September 10 from 9AM-12PM in the QCC Art Gallery:

At 10AM, former Queensborough student Chris Landano will unveil A Tribute: 2001-2021, a QCC Art Gallery installation. Chris, who studied art and photography at the College, was accepted into the FDNY’s forensics photo unit in April 2001, and on 9/11 captured images of the rescue and recovery operations following the collapse of the towers.

Democracy Demands Wisdom, a student poster exhibition, including archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection, will be on display as well.

Please stop by the QCC Art Gallery on Friday, between 9-12 to experience these moving visual testimonials. Coffee and refreshments will be served in the Loggia.

Tropical Storm Ida Day of Giving: Friday, September 10 from 12 to 4PM at Queensborough Cares Food Pantry located in the Administration Building Lobby:

Following the gallery exhibitions, I invite you to participate in Queensborough’s response to Ida with a Day of Giving and service to our community at the QCC Cares Food Pantry. The College will collect and distribute non-perishable food, household items such as cleaning supplies, school supplies, personal hygiene products, and new or gently used clothing to give to students, faculty and staff in need. The College’s Advocacy Resource Center and Office of Financial Services will also be on site to help connect students in crisis with financial and other resources. Please visit the Administration Building Lobby on Friday, between 12-4PM, to participate or say hello.

Starting today in advance of Friday’s event, donated items may be delivered to my office on the fifth floor of the Administration Building (Room 502). In addition, please consider making financial contributions to the QCC Emergency Relief Fund, which will be used to help accommodate students in need. You can also donate here or text QCCIDA to 44-321.

We know that crises can have a significant impact on our everyday lives, and as a college, on teaching and learning. As we work together through Ida and COVID-19, let us be sure to offer solace to one another and support each other – especially as we recall the events of 20 years ago.

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

Please join me and faculty and staff volunteers as our Queensborough Cares Food Pantry distributes groceries to students on Monday, July 26 from 1-3 PM in the main parking lot outside of the Administration Building. Whether you plan to be on campus or you are able to just stop by, it will be great to have your support, see you, say hello, and catch up with students.

Queensborough’s Pantry is crucial to the well-being of our community and students who are food insecure. Nearly one in five CUNY students reported that not having enough to eat interfered with their academic progress. More than 100 students benefit each month from Queensborough’s Pantry thanks to the Committee on Food Security and the generous support of faculty and staff, donors, and volunteers.

On behalf of our students and their families, thank you for providing food, and hope, to so many people. For more information about Monday’s distribution, or to volunteer or donate to the program, please contact Ronni Weprin in the Office of Institutional Advancement at wreprin@qcc.cuny.edu. 

Thank you,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brian R. Mitra as Queensborough’s next Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, effective July 12.

Dr. Mitra joins Queensborough after nearly two decades at Kingsborough Community College where he most recently served as Dean of Student Affairs. Dr. Mitra has held leadership positions in virtually every area of Student Affairs.

At Kingsborough, he oversaw Student Life, Athletics, Military and Veterans Services, among other key areas. He also held leadership positions in the Offices of Career Development, Transfer and Scholarship Opportunities, and Job Placement. In addition, Dr. Mitra served on several College-wide committees including the Assessment and Care Team, Academic Momentum, Middle States Accreditation, and Vision 2022.

Dr. Mitra is committed to mental health, student wellness and breaking cycles of poverty and inequity through education, job training, and employment. He sits on the Board of Directors for Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow and is an External Contributor with the JED Foundation, which works to prevent suicide.

Dr. Mitra earned his Ed.D. at Teachers College, Columbia University, a master's degree from Brooklyn College, and his bachelor’s in Health Sciences from Stony Brook University. His dedication to student success and equity is evident in his relationships with students, as well his commitment to community services.

I wish to extend my deepest thanks to our campus community for your active participation in the selection process. More than 100 faculty and staff met Brian during our open forum and through meetings with various constituencies. In addition, I am particularly grateful to the search committee, chaired by Executive Adviser to the President for Equity, Ms. Amaris Matos, for their time and commitment to our students. In addition to Amaris, thank you:

• Mr. Stephen Atkins, Affirmative Action Representative, ASAP Student Career Senior Advisor
• Dr. Beth Counihan, Faculty Executive Committee, Associate Professor, English
• Dr. Nidhi Gadura, Professor and Chairperson, Biological Sciences and Geology
• Ms. Veronica Lukas, Dean of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs
• Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Ms. Tikola Russell, Dean for Student Development, Student Affairs
• Mr. Arnab Sharma, President, Student Government Association

I am also deeply appreciative of the outstanding work of Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Ms. Ellen Hartigan who returned to Queensborough in March. Ellen has done much, in a noticeably brief time, to champion Queensborough students and move us forward during these challenging times. Thank you, Ellen, for your leadership, passion, and lasting commitment to our community.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Mitra to Queensborough. He will be critical to the personal growth and academic success of all our students, and I am confident that he will foster deep care and aspiration among his colleagues. We are very fortunate to have him on our team.

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

I am delighted that so many of you plan to attend this week's open forums to meet the finalists for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

In advance of the forums, I am providing the candidate biographies and resumes. If you have not yet registered, you may also do so below.

Open forum with Dr. Nireata Seals, Monday, May 17 at 2PM:

• Register for Open Forum with Dr. Nireata Seals
• Dr. Nireata Seals' Biography
• Dr. Nireata Seals' Resume

Open forum with Dr. Brian Mitra, Wednesday, May 19 at 2PM: 

• Register for Open Forum with Dr. Brian Mitra
• Dr. Brian Mitra's Biography
• Dr. Brian Mitra's Resume

Following the events, I invite you to complete this important feedback survey.

Thank you, again, for your participation and commitment to our community,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

The national search for Queensborough’s next Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (VPSAEM) is concluding. As part of the search process, I am inviting all members of the college community to meet the finalists, ask questions, and share their feedback. We will hold two open forums next week for faculty, staff and students to meet the candidates. They are:

• Dr. Nireata Seals, Vice President of Student Affairs at LaGuardia Community College; and
• Dr. Brian Mitra, Dean of Student Affairs at Kingsborough Community College.

• Ms. Amaris Matos, Executive Adviser for Equity, Chair;
• Mr. Stephen Atkins, Affirmative Action Representative, ASAP Student Career Senior Advisor; 
• Dr. Beth Counihan, Faculty Executive Committee, Associate Professor, English; 
• Dr. Nidhi Gadura, Professor and Chairperson, Biological Sciences and Geology; 
• Ms. Veronika Lucas, Dean of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs; 
• Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs; 
• Ms. Tikola Russell, Assistant Dean for Student Development, Student Affairs; and 
• Mr. Arnab Sharma, President, Student Government Association. 

Your participation in the decision-making process for our next VPSAEM is equally crucial. Please register for the virtual forums listed below: 

• Monday, May 17 at 2PM: An open forum with Dr. Nireata Seals. Register here.  
• Wednesday, May 19 at 2PM: An open forum with Dr. Brian Mitra. Register here.  

Candidate resumes and biographies will be shared on the day of the corresponding forum.  Following the events, I invite you to complete this important feedback survey.  

Thank you for your participation and commitment to our community, 

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

Earlier today, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez advised that CUNY staff and administrators will return to their respective campuses on August 2.

In the coming days, I will meet with elected campus leaders as well as union representatives to determine the logistical details surrounding our return, and to discuss the implementation of a framework for ongoing remote work, flexible work guidelines, and reasonable accommodations. Please be assured that we will not return to campus at 100% capacity on Aug. 2. Rather, we will work with each department to identify opportunities to reduce density through flexible working arrangements while also ensuring that every student who wishes to have an on-campus experience is provided with access to that opportunity.

Please know that the well-being of every member of our campus community is foremost in my mind and will govern our decision-making. Please keep in mind that while the situation remains fluid, I, and members of my cabinet, will remain accessible and in frequent communication to ensure that planning efforts continue to be as transparent and collaborative as possible. In consultation with our campus Health and Safety Officer, Mel Rodriguez, we will also update you as we learn more about evolving CDC and local health guidelines, and their impact on our community.

Be Well,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

Tomorrow, May 7, 2021 at 1pm, Queensborough will launch the first of its Inaugural Lecture Series for faculty development, Thriving in Academia.

While the series focuses on the needs of junior faculty, we invite our entire community to join us in conversation about Establishing Work/Life Balance on the Tenure Track. Our guest will be Dr. Dwayne Mack, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of History at Berea College in Kentucky. He is the editor of Mentoring Faculty of Color and a number of other texts on history and faculty development. Junior faculty, in particular, will find this entire series helpful and supportive as they advance toward tenure. All are welcome, including students who might also consider a career in academe. Register here.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kerri-Ann M. Smith, Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, Office of Academic Affairs.

Be Well,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

What’s happening in India with COVID-19 is tragic. India, Brazil, and the United States have had the highest number of reported cases, but the devastating pain and loss caused by the pandemic is felt in almost every corner of the world. Our students, faculty, and staff come from over 120 countries. They have shared their grief with me and have spoken profoundly about the staggering anguish and trauma suffered by their friends and loved ones here and back home.

We have and will continue to support each other throughout this pandemic. By sharing our love and care with our colleagues and students, we can help ease their heartbreak and the burdens of distance and family separation experienced by so many.

Among many lessons learned, COVID-19 shows us the depth of health inequities in our own communities and across the world. We must do all we can to prevent these disparities from widening and to address their systemic causes.

The actions of a community as diverse and far-reaching as ours are felt at home and around the world. We can take action ourselves right now by getting the vaccine, which is available here, on our campus. The Pfizer vaccine is being administered by the New York City Department of Health and the Hospital for Special Surgery Wednesdays through Sundays at the RFK Hall. All New Yorkers ages 16 and over can now walk in without an appointment. Hours of operation are:

• Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Thursday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: Closed

I extend my thanks to our nursing student volunteers who are on site assisting with the effort. For more information about getting vaccinated at Queensborough, visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/Vaccine . Additionally, you can refer to the NYC vaccination site or call their hotline at (877) 829-4692.

Nearly 3,000 students, faculty, staff and members of the external community have been vaccinated at Queensborough since the site opened last Wednesday. Please get your free vaccine and encourage our students to do the same. Remember to share with others how critically important the vaccine is to our community’s health by posting your vaccination photos to social media using the hashtag #VaxUpCUNY.

Be Well,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I want to hold space for our Black community members, and to express my deep sorrow and solidarity as another Black life has needlessly been lost to police violence.

This violence strikes at the very heart of our values to support and celebrate diversity, to treat one another with kindness and respect and support one another in times of distress. Our colleagues and our students are exhausted and outraged by these ongoing, tragic events.

I am outraged, too. And while I have been and always will be dedicated to growth in our community on matters of social justice and movements such as Black Lives Matter, I commit to showing up even stronger

We must move beyond words into action—in the classroom, collaborating and socializing with one another, and while planning for our future. We must support all community members who are vulnerable and have been suffering.

Today, we stand united against hate and in solidarity with Daunte Wright and his family. As educators, our voices have power. Consider this moment one for self-reflection about how you can contribute to a better, more just society. We will come out stronger for it.

In solidarity,
Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

The national search for Queensborough’s next Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (VPSAEM) has begun.

As you know, this position plays a critical role in the personal growth and academic success of our students. It calls for an accomplished, collaborative, transformational leader with a commitment to equity; a visionary who can leverage data and technology to evaluate student success and develop enhanced services for our diverse student population; and someone who inspires a culture of caring and aspiration to provide the best possible student experience.

The search committee, chaired by Ms. Amaris Matos, Executive Adviser for Equity, Office of the President, includes:

• Mr. Stephen Atkins, Affirmative Action Representative, ASAP Student Career Senior Advisor
• Dr. Beth Counihan, Faculty Executive Committee, Associate Professor, English
• Dr. Nidhi Gadura, Professor and Chairperson, Biological Sciences and Geology
• Ms. Veronika Lucas, Dean of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs
• Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Ms. Tikola Russell, Assistant Dean for Student Development, Student Affairs
• Mr. Arnab Sharma, President, Student Government Association

As part of the search process, I am committed to creating opportunities for the campus community to meet the finalists for this role and to provide feedback.

I encourage you to share the position details within your networks.

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

We want to hear from you as we continue to plan for our limited reopening this fall. Later today, you will receive a survey prepared by CUNY that will help us understand your thoughts about our limited return to campus. I encourage you to complete the survey and attend the next Town Hall Meeting on April 9 at 3 PM so that we can move forward with your feedback in mind. A link to register for the April Town Hall will be sent early next week.

As discussed during last month’s Town Hall, we plan to offer a mixture of in-person, hybrid, and online classes in the fall. We also understand that CUNY is finalizing a remote work policy that will help clarify the circumstances in which our staff members will work on campus or work from home next fall. We will share more information as soon as it becomes available.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has or is planning to get vaccinated when eligible. Our shared commitment to health and safety will benefit our entire community as we approach the fall. To learn more about eligibility and appointments, visit the CUNY Vaccination Information Page.

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

Anti-Asian violence has surged, reaching a crisis point across America with almost 3,000 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate recorded by California-based Stop AAPI Hate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amidst protests, demonstrations and rallies throughout the city, local media report that verbal assault, physical attacks and violence against Asian Americans are on the rise.

Queensborough student, Jose Gonzalez, wrote in Collective (Queensborough’s Student Literary Journal) about his experience last year:

… I wear a mask, I wear gloves however, the passengers on the train look at me differently. Hundreds of thousands are infected with the novel virus, thousands have died yet because I am from Asian descent and look a certain way, we are to blame for this novel virus. It’s not safe anymore for my people. The looks evolved to stares. The stares manifest to comments. I feel like an outsider, an alien with a disease.

This wave of persecution linked to COVID-19 has harmed many people of Asian descent. Research has already shown the negative impact it is having on their social, physical, and psychological well-being, leading to higher rates of mental health issues, described in the literature as a shadow pandemic itself.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among all people is critical to Queensborough’s mission. Our College, itself a vibrant part of the Asian American community, condemns all forms of anti-Asian and anti-Asian American racism and bigotry. We join America’s Asian and Pacific Islanders communities and our wider community to denounce Asian racism and stand in solidarity to prevent, confront and stop racism and intolerance wherever it occurs.

As we continue to social distance, we all share the need to feel connected, respected and united. It is important that we let everyone in our campus community impacted by racism know that Queensborough is here to help.

Faculty and staff can acquire assistance from the College’s Affirmative Action Pluralism & Diversity/Compliance Office through Josephine A. Pantaleo, Chief Diversity Officer, as well as CUNY’s Work/Life program (code: CUNY or 24/7 on 800-833-8707). The Counseling Center remains available to provide help to students and now hosts a daily "Let’s Connect!" group for students to come together to share their remote learning and social experiences during COVID.

Please do not hesitate to reach out. During this difficult time, our college community must come together to support each other.

Sincerely,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Dear Colleagues:

Queensborough joins CUNY as we mark the anniversary of Governor Cuomo’s directive for CUNY and other universities in New York State to cease in-person classes in response to the emergence of COVID-19.

On the Queensborough campus, flags fly at half-staff as we pay tribute to colleagues, students, friends, and other members of our Queensborough family lost to the pandemic. I invite you to leave sympathy messages on our University “In Memoriam” page to commemorate their lives and contributions.

As we work through this challenge, we remain grateful for the resilience and determination of our community. Together, we have not just sustained our college but reimagined and strengthened it.

Today, CUNY also introduced the #VaxUpCUNY campaign and updated vaccination resources on its Coronavirus website. Please bookmark and visit the page frequently for the latest official guidance about vaccine eligibility and access to appointments.

We must work in solidarity to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. As of March 1, available CDC data showed that nearly two thirds of vaccine recipients were White and only 24% were Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Although deeply disturbed by these data, I am heartened by the stories I have heard from colleagues who have shared information, helped friends and relatives secure appointments, and encouraged others to get vaccinated.

Remember, the more vaccinations there are, the safer and more successful our fall 2021 semester will be. As Chancellor Matos Rodríguez said today, getting vaccinated is the most important step we can take to ensure the return to in-person instruction and the resumption of daily life that we are so eager to see.

Stay Safe,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ellen Hartigan who begins today as Queensborough’s Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. As noted last month, Ellen will serve while we conduct a national search for a permanent, innovative leader with a diversity of experience and a demonstrated commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student success.

Commitment to these values, and our intention to provide students as much on-campus experience as possible, were among the many issues addressed at Friday’s COVID Town Hall Meeting. I want to extend a special thank you to the more than 300 faculty and staff who participated in this very productive discussion.

As you know from the recent communication sent by CUNY Chancellor, Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, we expect that Fall 2021 will mark a limited return to campus.

While we are awaiting further guidance from the federal government, state government, CUNY central, and other authorities, we are beginning preparations for our limited return.

I cannot emphasize enough that we must approach this process as a learning experience, and remain flexible in the event there is a resurgence of the virus.

Fall will likely consist of a mix of online and in-person teaching and learning, and research, which will allow our students to have a campus experience.

This campus experience will include required face masks, strict physical distancing, health screening protocols, and changes to facilities. Vice President Faulkner shared a health and safety guide with the community last Thursday. He’ll be sharing an updated version later this week that incorporates the answers to the many excellent questions and points raised at the town hall. I encourage you to review it as it will provide a greater sense of the health and safety measures that the campus will implement to protect the well-being of our community. In the meantime following are important announcements:

• Spring will remain 99% online with limited activities on site which have been approved for necessity.
• Summer sessions will be very similar, with a few in-person courses. We’ll be doing a lot of work behind the scenes over the summer to solicit feedback and identify best practices to prepare for fall.
• For those wondering about Commencement this spring: Yes, we will have a ceremony! It will be virtual and we are making sure that students and faculty have opportunities to share and celebrate their success. It will be hosted online on Friday, June 4.

We have learned so much this past year about modes of teaching and learning, about conducting research off-campus and new ways of engaging our community. I am so impressed by the way in which people continue to demonstrate their outstanding dedication and innovation, and treat one another with compassion, kindness and understanding.

In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to listen to your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. And I will continue to keep you informed.

Thank you,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino

President

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Ms. Ellen Hartigan will return to Queensborough Community College as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management while we conduct a national search for a permanent, innovative leader with a diversity of experience and a demonstrated commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student success.

Ellen will bring nearly 40 years of higher education experience and deep knowledge of the CUNY system to the role effective March 8. While Ellen will not be returning to Queensborough permanently, as Interim Vice President she will enable us to move forward, timely and efficiently, and achieve our goals during these challenging times.

Following her retirement from Queensborough in 2014, Ellen served as Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at John Jay College from 2019-2021. During this time, she established John Jay’s first LGBTQ+ Resource Center and was known for her “students first,” philosophy which includes inviting students to call or text her directly about their college experience. She oversaw 21 student support offices including: Admissions & Recruitment, Financial Services, Dean of Students, Counseling Services, the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership, and more.

Ellen served as Queensborough’s Vice President of Student Affairs for 10 years, overseeing 18 student support departments, the integration of enrollment processes, the simplification of financial aid processes, and contributing to the establishment of the Freshman Academies. At the same time, she introduced new technologies designed to streamline communication with prospective and current students.

Previously, Ellen spent 15 years at Polytechnic University where she served for 10 years as Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Development and directed the opening of the institution’s first residence hall, athletic facilities, and dining areas at its new MetroTech Center. Earlier in her career, Ellen served in similar capacities at Adelphi University, Fairfield University, and Marist College.

Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree from Marist College, a master’s in educational administration from Fairfield University, and an advanced certificate from the Institute on College Admissions at Harvard University.

Search Process

In the coming days, we will launch a nationwide search for the permanent leadership of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The search committee will be chaired by Ms. Amaris Matos, Executive Adviser for Equity, Office of the President. Members will include:

• Mr. Stephen Atkins, Affirmative Action Representative, ASAP Student Career Senior Advisor
• Dr. Beth Counihan, Faculty Executive Committee, Associate Professor, English
• Dr. Nidhi Gadura, Professor and Chairperson, Biological Sciences and Geology
• Ms. Veronika Lucas, Dean of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs
• Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Ms. Tikola Russell, Assistant Dean for Student Development, Student Affairs
• Mr. Arnab Sharma, President, Student Government Association

As part of the search process, will create opportunities in the spring for the entire Queensborough community to meet the finalists for this role and to provide feedback.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Brian Kerr, and his team for their support during this period of transition. Brian will work closely with Ellen throughout the changeover.

I am very much looking forward to working with Ellen as we take the time to conduct a comprehensive search for this role, which is critical to the success of our students.

Please join me in welcoming Ellen back to Queensborough!

Thank you,
Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to share with you some important changes to my Cabinet:

As many of you know, Ms. Rosemary Zins, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, will retire this week. For more than 15 years, Rosemary has spearheaded the College’s fundraising initiatives, alumni and government relations, management of the QCC Fund, Inc., as well as leadership of Queensborough’s three cultural centers: the Kupferberg Holocaust Center, the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC), and the QCC Art Gallery. Under her direction, the College completed its goal for the Invest in CUNY Campaign two years ahead of schedule and successfully obtained millions of dollars of capital and expense funding for campus improvements and community programs. Rosemary, through her advocacy and relentless support of our students, has helped change the lives of countless individuals who would not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend Queensborough.

Dr. Brian Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs, announced last week that he will transition to John Jay College as Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in March. During one of my first days as president, Brian shared with me that he was selected as a finalist for the position. Since then, I have had the privilege of getting to know Brian both personally and professionally. Like so many of you, I have come to appreciate his caring demeanor and passion for our students. I am pleased that Brian has agreed to be involved in the search for our next Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. In the coming days, we will identify an interim candidate for the position and launch a national search for a permanent, innovative leader with a demonstrated commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student success.

Following discussions earlier this semester with Ms. Sherri Newcomb, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (SVP & COO), she will step down from Queensborough, effective February 17th. I extend my deepest thanks to Sherri for her service as SVP & COO over the past four and a half years. Sherri brought more than 30 years of experience working in higher education to her role, and institutionalized the use of data analytics and governance at Queensborough. As many of you know, she also served as Queensborough’s Vice President for Finance and Administration from 2008-2013 and successfully led the implementation of CUNYfirst Campus Solutions and related ERP modules as a vanguard campus for CUNY. For these, and her countless other contributions, our campus is stronger.

Across the nation, community colleges are faced with new budgetary constraints and enrollment challenges. At Queensborough, we must continue to confront these issues, as well as the changing needs of our community. As we embark on long-term planning and address current priorities, the following roles and responsibilities within Cabinet will be streamlined:

• The position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will be discontinued;
• Mr. William Faulkner, Vice President for Finance and Administration, will take on all additional duties related to Queensborough’s budget and resource planning; and
• Mr. Stephen Di Dio, Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communication Officer, will assume the additional duties associated with the role of Vice President for Institutional Advancement as well as oversee the Office of Information Technology.

I am grateful to my colleagues for their continued leadership and service to our community.

Rosemary, Brian, and Sherri have enriched Queensborough through their commitment, dedication, and distinguished service to our community, for which we are grateful, and from which we will benefit for many years to come. Please join me in celebrating their contributions and achievements and wishing each of them the very best in all of their endeavors. You may share a wish, memory, or message with each of our colleagues using these special links: Ms. Rosemary Zins; Dr. Brian Kerr; and Ms. Sherri Newcomb.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome Back!

It is around this time each year, while in the depths of winter, that we all start longing for spring. Now these feelings take on greater meaning as we welcome 2021 and all that it signifies.

The first word that comes to my mind is renewal.

Renewal goes hand-in-hand with hope, with optimism and with new beginnings. Our spring semester, which starts today, encompasses all of these feelings, and more.

Our spring semester coincides with the approval and initial distribution of the COVID vaccines. This momentous achievement enables us to begin planning for a safe and gradual return to mostly in-person instruction and support services perhaps as early as fall 2021. The University will provide additional guidance on this, which we will share, over the coming weeks and months. I am very focused on these developments and have appointed Vice Presidents Faulkner and Di Dio as the CUNY Coronavirus Campus Coordinator and Liaison, respectively. They will share updates in the coming days.

I am extremely proud of our community; we have all demonstrated amazing resilience in the face of this unprecedented challenge, and we have all come together as educators focused on student success.

The pandemic has upended lives and has been particularly hard on our students, some of whom are in crises due to unemployment and illness. The CARES Act has been providing students with emergency financial aid grants to help cover specific expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses. While these funds are vital to our students in need, they are temporary. I am hopeful more aid becomes available to students in the coming months.

Enrollment and retention remain front of mind. I am pleased to report that Queensborough is the best performing in terms of enrollment among all CUNY community colleges that start their semesters today, but like most colleges, there is much work to do in this respect. Our current enrollment is down 9.3% compared to the CUNY community college average decline of 13.7%. I am grateful we are ahead, thanks to the efforts of all members of the campus community who are working to support enrollment and retention.

Those efforts also extend to the Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) and the success of their in-demand technology programs and partnerships with companies such as Google and Amazon. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hui-Yin Hsu, Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, for the $5 million grant awarded by The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Strengthening Community College Training Grants (or SCC) program. Dr. Hsu will lead five other community colleges on designing accelerated pathway models with employers.

As we respond to the needs of our community and the realities of COVID-19, we must remain especially thoughtful of one another to ensure that Queensborough continues to be welcoming and receptive to all people, ideas and voices.

The recent appointment of Dr. Kerri-Ann M. Smith, Associate Professor, English, as Queensborough’s Inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will help us advance equity, racial justice, equality, inclusiveness and mutual respect throughout our college. Please note that Dr. Smith will appear on Queens Public Television’s “Queens Conversations,” on February 4th for a program dedicated to Black History Month.

I also want to acknowledge Inaugural Faculty Fellow for Research Activities, Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine. Dr. Lall-Ramnarine will be responsible for a wide range of Queensborough’s research, scholarly, and creative activities and will serve as our Research Integrity Officer.

I have met many faculty and staff who keep our students engaged, supported and successful. Their exemplary approach to student-centered learning and service inspired me to create The President's Queensborough Community C.A.R.E.S. Award, to honor faculty and staff whose efforts and achievements demonstrate a commitment to our students, beyond what is expected, and an attitude of caring and selflessness. Congratulations to our inaugural recipients: Janine Savva Academic ASAP Student Advisor, and Isabel Hocevar, Director of Health Services. I invite all supervisors to nominate those who go above and beyond to make every experience for every student a positive and supportive encounter.

I am equally impressed at the creative and innovative ways our faculty inspire students to stay involved and curious during these times. For example, Physics Professor Dr. Paul Marchese developed an on-line curriculum for the STEM Research Academy that allows students to conduct detailed, sophisticated research online, without any access to lab study. Ten students presented their research at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Additionally, Dr. Monica Trujillo and colleagues have been investigating traces of COVID-19 in local wastewater to determine how widespread and active the pandemic is in the five boroughs and beyond. CUNY-TV featured their work.

Our distinguished Cultural Centers are also creating innovative ways to bring world-class performances and exhibits to their audiences online.

The QCC Art Gallery hosts various, virtual events with distinguished guest artists. The Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center hosted a high profile virtual event on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the first partnership among six New York regional Holocaust centers. It was the Center’s largest event, with nearly 1,000 people in attendance. And QPAC LIVE! continues to present quality, diverse, live streaming entertainment every week with appearances by award-winning performers. Tune in tonight at 7pm for The Great American Songbook! presented by singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer Ann Hampton Callaway.

Later this semester the college community will begin our five-year Strategic Plan development process, as we advance Queensborough’s mission to enhance the success of our students and the well-being of our community. The process will be inclusive and respectful of everyone’s voice, so please participate and share your observations, expertise and vision about our future together.

Finally, I am heartened that our First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, a scholar and community college professor, will maintain her paying job outside of the White House. Dr. Biden will likely bring greater attention and advocacy to higher education, particularly the diverse experiences of community college students and the hard work of their committed and dedicated educators. I am hopeful that policy makers and elected officials will continue to recognize, as we have always known, how truly important community colleges are to the strength and vitality of our country.

So, with a new year here and a new world on the horizon, let us be mindful and proud of all of the wonderful contributions we make each day that together makes us who we are: leaders in higher education.

Remember that my Cabinet and I are always here to support your success. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Have a wonderful semester,
Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Students and Colleagues,

A few moments ago, Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants, made history as the first woman, Black, and Asian American to be sworn in to the nation's second-highest office.

This historic first is even more inspiring because she was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Justice, using a Bible that belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice.

Their stories and backgrounds are similar to the experiences of our students, who come from all over New York, and the world, following dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.

Our students, like these leaders, have shown extraordinary courage to overcome barriers. Their achievements are a testament to their education, hard work, and determination to succeed. We are so very proud of them.

This week, as we mark the triumph of Martin Luther King, Jr., let us find inspiration and strength in the success of Vice President Harris. As with her, the possibilities and opportunities before us are infinite.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Students,

During this difficult time, it is important that we continue to care for our families and friends, our loved ones, and our communities. I want to reach out today to students who have not yet registered for spring semester classes.

I want you to stay on track, graduate and achieve all of your dreams.

I, too, was a community college student who struggled at times to stay on track. I recognize that you're also faced with many new challenges as a result of COVID.

When I was in college, I had to work more than one job and I later became a single mother who worked four jobs to make ends meet. I understand the pressure you're feeling. There were times when I felt like taking a semester off from college, but I never stopped because I knew I might not have an opportunity to start again. I wanted to make a better life for myself, and I want the same for you. And now, looking back, I am most proud that I persisted and stuck with my studies, even when it felt nearly impossible to continue.

If you continue with your studies now, and as you work through this challenging time, when you reach that final goal of graduation you will have made it through something few will have experienced, and that will serve you well in your life:

• By continuing your studies you are creating a personal narrative of perseverance, something you can proudly note on four-year college admissions essays and on job applications
• By not taking a semester off and registering for spring, you will be closer to graduation and better positioned for opportunities the gradual return to normalcy will provide, particularly jobs, internships and scholarship opportunities
• You are in control of your future, and earning your degree sooner rather than later will help you get the most from your degree earlier in life, including greater earnings potential, better employment opportunities, and more.

I am very proud of the fact I started my career as a community college student, and you should be as well. All I ask is that you let us help you reach your goal of earning a college degree.

Please logon to CUNYfirst today to register for the Spring '21 semester, and if you wish to speak with an Academic Adviser first, please attend one of our virtual walk-in advisement sessions. If you have questions or need assistance, please call the advisement office at 718-631-6329 or e-mail AcademyAdvisement@qcc.cuny.edu.

I want you to know that I am proud of you, and that I have faith in your ability to succeed! I hope you will join us for the spring semester and continue on your path to success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Queensborough Community:

Like so many of you, I watched in shock and sadness as violence consumed the United States Capitol.

What occurred yesterday was an attack on our democracy and values. The riot contradicted our ideals of civic dialogue and engagement; the very foundations of our democracy, our society, and our college. Our role as a community of educators and learners has never been more crucial: to advance the free exchange of ideas, diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

For more than half a century, Queensborough has been one of the most democratizing institutions in our nation. Sustained by generations of immigrants, many of whom fled oppressive and dysfunctional governments, our community has been a source of inspiration and positive change.

Many of us are feeling uneasy and distressed. Please know that we are here to help. Students may contact the Counseling Center by calling (718) 631-6370 or sending an e-mail to counseling@qcc.cuny.edu. Faculty and staff can seek assistance through the CUNY Work Life Program. Anyone who needs to talk with someone after hours can contact NYC Well for free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone at 1-888-NYC-WELL, text “Well” to 65173, or chat online.

I find strength and resolve in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.”

Let us find comfort in the compassion we share and the good work we do every day.

Respectfully,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

I cannot believe it is the end of the semester already! Whereas the close of this fall semester marks an ongoing, turbulent time of uncertainty, it also provides an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and recognize our excellent faculty and staff, who continue to inspire our students to work toward their goals.

We are nine months into working remotely. Although we have become better with working and teaching from a distance, I look forward to shifting the conversation from ‘how can we make this happen’, to ‘how can we do this better’.

While 2020 brought many new challenges, I am heartened that many in our college community continued to reach positive milestones in their personal and professional lives, whether earning tenure, achieving promotions, receiving grants; or celebrating births of children or grandchildren, marriages and other celebrations. These moments provide not only respite, but the realization that hope for the future is what gives us the strength to persevere.

I am also encouraged that we have hundreds of students graduating this semester, including our Student Government President, Asia Khan. We also have thousands more who successfully completed the fall semester, making progress towards their degree and increasing their skills along with their discipline-specific knowledge.

Additionally, our faculty have received accolades. We named Dr. Kerri-Ann M. Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of English, our Inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

On December 4, the College held its first Virtual Undergraduate Research Day, an event that showcased the work of undergraduate researchers and their mentors. It’s humbling to see our students so engaged and to see the passion our faculty have for sharing knowledge and showing the value of learning together.

Sharing knowledge, moving towards greater diversity and inclusion, determination, and resilience...these are only a few of the words and phrases that have defined our efforts the past nine months. And while many of us wait patiently for our turn in line for the COVID vaccine, we all look to the new year with anticipation and a sense of renewed hope for seeing each other back on campus in the fall of 2021.

Although many of us are still working through the winter break, reaching out to students at every opportunity to help them register and prepare for next semester, I do hope everyone gets to take a breath. Take some time for yourself, and recognize all you have been able to do and accomplish in 2020. And please remember to reflect on your own remarkable perseverance and outstanding success—qualities you instill in all of our students each day.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year,

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Dear Colleagues,

Although 2020 continues to be a challenging year for all of us, let us take the time this Thanksgiving holiday to be grateful for what we have and for the people we love.

As president of Queensborough, I am thankful for the care we give, the opportunities we provide, and the purpose we all share. I am thankful for and proud of our response to the pandemic this year, our community’s resilience, and the leadership shown by our faculty and staff on behalf of our students.

We all have had to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances while maintaining our high level of academic and support services remotely. I am grateful that our faculty and staff have so effectively managed the needs of our students during such a challenging time.

We are all disappointed with having fewer opportunities to see our students on campus this fall and spring; but, despite these challenges, we have worked together and made the sacrifices necessary to keep our community healthy and safe.

President Kennedy said that we must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives. Please accept this Thanksgiving message as an expression of my thanks and appreciation for everything you do that makes our college one of the best in the nation.

I wish you and your families happiness and good health this Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,

Christine
Dr. Christine Mangino

Dear Colleagues,

The President’s Task Force on Community Engagement, whose membership appears below, was formed in September to broaden and deepen President Christine Mangino’s relationships both with internal and with external constituencies of the institution and to identify key challenges and opportunities that the college should address as it plans for the future.

In an effort to help the president in these ways, the task force has developed a survey for the campus community. Your participation in the survey is critical to assisting the president to understand the needs and priorities of the campus community. To access the survey, please click on this link.

Please complete the survey by Friday, November 20.

President’s Task Force on Community Engagement

• Dr. Arthur Corradetti, Academic Affairs, Chair
• Ms. Susan Agin, Executive Director, QPAC, Institution Advancement
• Ms. Shirley Chen, Associate Budget Director, Office of Chief Operating Officer & SVP
• Dr. Steven Dahlke, Chair, Academic Senate Steering Committee
• Mr. Stephen Di Dio, Vice President & Chief Marketing & Communication Officer (ex officio)
• Dr. Margot Edlin, Chair, Faculty Executive Committee
• Ms. Elaine Ioannou, Executive Assistant to the President
• Ms. Amaris Matos, Executive Advisor to the President for Equity
• Ms. Alexandra Pyak, ASAP, Student Affairs
• Ms. Tikola Russell, Assistant Dean for Student Development/Conduct, Student Affairs
• Mr. Arnab Sharma, Executive Vice President, SGA
• Ms. Ronni Weprin, Special Events, Institutional Advancement

Thank you very much for your support of these efforts.

Regards, Artie

Arthur Corradetti
Chair, President’s Task Force on Community Engagement
Dean for Institutional Effectiveness

Dear Colleagues,

Today we honor our veterans for their service to our country and our community, and the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect our freedom.

Many of Queensborough's students, faculty and staff have served our country, and many are currently serving. Their presence and contribution to the character of our institution is immeasurable.

Queensborough is proud of its designation as a Military Friendly college. We are recognized as a top destination for military students because of the resources and services we provide to ensure their success. It is a privilege and honor to serve our veteran community. ​​

Late this afternoon, I met with extraordinary student Veterans who shared with me their stories of determination and bravery, and their appreciation for what Queensborough and CUNY provides for them as students who serve in the Armed Forces.

Among our alumni is United States Marine Corporal Shaneen Festus. While at Queensborough, Shaneen worked as a tutor with our Veteran Services, serving as an inspiration for all our student Veterans. Read and watch her story.

On behalf of the entire Queensborough community, thank you to all veterans for your service, your selflessness and your commitment to our country.

Thank you.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Queensborough Faculty and Staff:

The City University of New York (CUNY) has a long-standing commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment practices. At Queensborough Community College, I fully support the policies and practices that we have implemented to foster non-discrimination, affirmative action, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It is my personal belief that CUNY is enriched by the strengths of the people and perspectives represented here.

Accordingly, I am committed to oversee Queensborough Community College compliance with the CUNY Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and on Sexual Misconduct.

The Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Policy states CUNY’s commitment to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, unemployment status, pregnancy, or status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state, and city laws. I remind you that Italian Americans are included among CUNY’s protected groups. Additionally, as a federal contractor, CUNY engages in affirmative action consistent with federal requirements. I invite you to visit our website: Affirmative Action/Pluralism and Diversity/Compliance Office to view the Equal Opportunity Policy in its entirety, including the complaint procedures and prohibition against retaliation.

I have assigned the responsibility for implementation and monitoring of our compliance program to the Chief Diversity Officer, Josephine Pantaleo, who will also serve as the 504/ADA Coordinator.

It is also the University’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments, when appropriate, to individuals with disabilities, individuals observing religious practices, individuals who have pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions and victims of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses. The process for addressing these issues is set forth in CUNY’s Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments and may be found at: Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments.

The vice presidents, deans, directors, managers and supervisors share responsibility for ensuring our compliance with these policies and laws.

The Affirmative Action Diversity Office is located in the Administration Building, room 309. In this remote environment, the office can be reached via telephone at 718-631-6391. Additionally, any individual who believes that he or she has experienced employment discrimination should immediately contact Josephine Pantaleo at 718-631-6391 or email her at JPantaleo@qcc.cuny.edu. Although the college would prefer the opportunity to investigate allegations of discrimination internally and remedy situations where the law or college and University policies have been violated, a complainant may, at any time, file a complaint of discrimination with a city, state or federal administrative agency that enforces the law prohibiting discrimination. This information may be found here: List of External Resources.

CUNY’s Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries concerning sexual misconduct or sex discrimination may be made to Belinda Delgado, Esq., Title IX Officer, whom I have designated to oversee such matters. Ms. Delgado’s office is located in the Administration Building, room 413. While remote, the office can be contacted at 718-281-5755 or by email at BDelgado@qcc.cuny.edu. Information for filing such allegations externally may be found at: List of External Resources.

I ask for your continued support to ensure equal opportunity, affirmative action, and diversity and inclusion in all employment practices at Queensborough Community College.

Thank you.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues:

I am delighted to share with you the interim appointment of Ms. Amaris Matos as Queensborough Community College’s first Executive Advisor to the President for equity, effective Monday, September 14, 2020.

As President of one of the most diverse colleges in the nation, I am steadfast in my commitment to inclusiveness, mutual respect and equity. As educators, we must do more than recognize and celebrate our diversity; we must scrutinize our policies, systems and practices, and change them, when necessary, to ensure that Queensborough is welcoming, safe and open to all people, ideas and voices.

Education that is truly respectful of everyone requires that we work together to continue fostering transparency and accountability among all members of our college community.

A first-generation college graduate from East Harlem, Ms. Matos most recently served as Director of Academic Affairs at Hostos, driving initiatives across the institution and working directly with students, faculty and staff in ways that supported the college’s goals and elevated the college’s diversity and inclusion ideals.

While at Hostos, Ms. Matos identified and addressed issues of access and equity in registration and enrollment processes, and introduced practices that addressed the needs of marginalized populations. Additionally, she worked with senior leadership on college-wide Cultural Competencies, and sought to align administrative practices with institutional access and equity goals.

As the liaison to the Hostos Diversity Plan, Ms. Matos helped track and report metrics that informed the college’s policies and practices. She also served as chief writer for the college’s 2017 Middle States Periodic Review Report and the 2020 Middle States Self-Study Design. In both reports, Ms. Matos centered the college’s work, addressing its historical role in educating students from diverse backgrounds, particularly Latinx and African Americans.

Early in her career, as a counselor at Prep for Prep, the nation’s foremost program for academically gifted African American, Latinx, and Asian American students, she supported the academic and personal growth of high school and college students, helping many – especially those among the first in their families to aspire to college – attend some of the most highly selective colleges in the country.

Her own college career began at Wesleyan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Government. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine; and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College.

Ms. Matos shares my commitment to collaborating with faculty, staff and students across Queensborough to strengthen and advance our culture of fairness and inclusion. She is the proud daughter of a single-mother who instilled in her a love for learning and an understanding of the role of education in creating social mobility. As a member of my Cabinet, her leadership, based on mutual trust and respect, will benefit our entire community.

I would like to thank my colleagues, both within the administration and from among the Black Faculty and Staff Association, who advocated for this college-wide role. Together with the upcoming appointment of a Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and working collaboratively with our current Chief Diversity Officer, I am confident Ms. Matos will advance many institutional initiatives in this important area.

Please join me in welcoming Amaris.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Memories from the horrific events that took place on September 11, 2001, will forever live on in our hearts and minds.

Nineteen years after this historic tragedy, many of us vividly remember where we were, what we were doing and who we were with on that fateful morning. We will never forget all those lost and those who are still affected, including members of our community.

Some of my own memories are of the days that followed, when inspiring communities of support were formed to comfort and aid the courageous first responders, and the grieving families of victims. Queensborough also is an inspiring community that draws upon its resilience to support our students, who look to us for assurance that we are all united in our values of inclusion, respect and hope.

I invite you to pause, wherever you may be, and reflect upon these values as we observe a moment of silence with the entire Queensborough community at 8:46 a.m., the time that the first plane struck the North Tower.

My partner, John, worked in one of the towers and is a survivor of the attack. Too many of his colleagues, who also survived the day, have passed away in recent years due to illnesses related to that horrific day.

As we remember sacrifices made and lives lost and damaged, let us reach out to share our compassion with all the members of our community, and others, who have experienced inconsolable grief over the years since 9/11.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

We have made great strides since we first transitioned to distance learning in mid-March. (Whoever would have thought we would still be remote in September?) And although we are all still navigating new technologies, facing many first-time challenges, and developing new best practices, we are now more confident addressing issues as they arise. I want to thank each of you for your dedication to our students, and acknowledge the Office of Educational Technology. I am grateful for the generous and thoughtful feedback that I have received from faculty and staff.

During my meetings with department heads, faculty and staff, I am asking everyone how the pandemic has made them reassess and even change their priorities. I am also asking about priorities before COVID. I am enjoying learning about where people see opportunities on our campus for improvement and innovation, as well as what they believe works really well. Learning about the many working details of the college is an ongoing process, as will be getting to know each of you on a more personal level. I look forward to both.

In the weeks to come, I will continue my focus on our immediate priorities of enrollment, fall retention, and identifying external funding to help support the college’s work.

Queensborough is a community where people come to be challenged, to grow, to contribute and do the best work of their lives. It is no surprise that we were recently ranked as the number one community college in New York. I am privileged to be here.

I wish all of you a productive second week and continued success throughout the fall.

Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues,

I thoroughly enjoyed my webcast conversation today with Dr. Steven Dahlke. Thank you for joining us.

Steven and I began our conversation with a moment of silence for those who have suffered and died because of racial injustice, as well as for those members of our University community who lost their lives because of COVID-19. We are indeed living through challenging times.

The conversation was a wonderful opportunity to share some of my thoughts and ideas on education and some of my own experiences, many of which mirror those of our students, especially first-generation college students like me.

As a student, community college provided me with room to grow. As a teacher, researcher, and administrator, I learned that positive change can happen at all levels. It takes determination and accountability, not just from an individual, but from a community.

As we take action together on inequality, in all of its forms, and respond to the health and safety needs of our community, especially as it pertains to the coronavirus, the College’s long held principles of diversity, integrity, tolerance and courage will guide us.

These values, which we share, will inform my leadership at Queensborough. I look forward to collaborating with you, the Chief Diversity Officer, Black Faculty and Staff Association, and others on these priorities; and I will continue with the appointment of a Faculty Fellow for Diversity, a process announced and initiated by Dr. Timothy Lynch.

Thank you, Dr. Dahlke, for your kindness and for a great talk. If you missed our conversation, you can view the recording.

I hope everyone’s first day of classes is going well. You have my understanding, my encouragement and my full support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Community Members,

I am excited and honored to serve as Queensborough Community College's sixth president. I believe strongly in the College, its academic excellence, its people, and the CUNY values we share in providing access, equity, economic mobility and infinite opportunities for our students to succeed.

I am grateful to Interim President Lynch for his leadership and continuing service as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Like so many CUNY students, we were both first generation college graduates and we believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of Queensborough.

I discovered my love for learning as a student at community college. It is because of my education and my experiences as a researcher and teacher that I place student success at the center of my work, and I strive for continuous improvement and innovation.

Student success and equity informs our thinking and every decision we make here, especially as we strive to make Queensborough's transformative education available to more students, from all backgrounds and all experiences. 

Together we will broaden the Queensborough community, strengthen our borough, and prepare more people for fulfilling careers and higher education.

Sincerely,

Christine Mangino, EdD
President-designate
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Colleagues,

I write to express my gratitude for the many warm welcome wishes that I received today. I am inspired, energized, and ready to work together to ensure the success of our students.

On this first day, I had the privilege of bringing physically distant greetings to those Public Safety Officers who are working to keep the campus safe in our absence. I also had a virtual meeting with students and alumni who excelled in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. They shared with me stories of how Queensborough empowered and transformed their lives.

• Biling Chen, ’19, for example, arrived from China with little understanding of the English language, and a passion to explore the world of science. Through her own will to succeed, coupled with the guidance of her faculty mentors, Biling’s hard work led to some of the most prestigious awards in the country, namely, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship as well as CUNY’s Thomas Tam Scholarship.

• Another Jack Kent Cooke recipient, Kyle Chin-How, ’15, discovered his desire to pursue public interest law and became an advocate for public education and DREAM Act legislation. Originally from Guyana, Kyle interned for Vice President Joe Biden and became a NYS Model Senator. Kyle is a graduate of The City College of New York in the Skadden, Arps Honors Program in Legal Studies.

• Paola Beniquez, ’17, is an elite athlete who commanded the volleyball court since she first enrolled at Queensborough. The wave of recognition she received, which included the CUNY Scholar Athlete of the Year Award, was spectacular. Paola shared with me heartwarming stories of growing up in Puerto Rico, and how the Queensborough community came together to support her when she went back to her island home to help those ravaged by Hurricane Maria.

These are just a few of the students who have experienced great success because of the difference Queensborough has made in their lives. And they are wonderful reminders of the great impact each of us has in the lives of all of our students. I could not have asked for a better way to begin our journey together.

Sincerely,

Christine Mangino, EdD
President-designate
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

During the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege of meeting students, faculty, staff, and community partners to introduce myself and learn more about your interests, hopes and aspirations. I am so impressed by your passion and dedication to our college community. I look forward to meeting with many more of you in the weeks and months ahead.

Dr. Lynch and I have been working closely during the transition, and he has been generous with his time. We are very fortunate to have Tim continue here as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, as we are to have Dr. Palmer continue in her former role as Dean of Faculty. I had the pleasure of working with Sandra as a fellow community college Provost over the past two years, and I look forward to collaborating with her at Queensborough.

I have been a part of CUNY for 16 years, and I am familiar with Queensborough’s excellent reputation for academics, student services, and undergraduate research. Learning more about these accomplishments shows me that the future for our students is one of great promise. I want us to build on these strengths and continue our focus on student success and equity. For example, how can we as educators help to close achievement gaps in gender and ethnicity in higher education?

One of my top priorities will be to make sure our students’ journeys remains clear and unobstructed. This is particularly important as we prepare students for online instruction in the vast majority of classes this fall. Like me, many of our students are the first to go to college in their family. We must do our best to make their first college experience a rewarding one – and one that will provide clear paths to success even in this new, challenging environment.

Student success and equity will inform our thinking and every decision we make across the college, especially as we take steps to build enrollment, improve retention, and increase graduation rates. By propelling more students into bachelor programs and more rewarding careers, we will advance Queensborough’s reputation as a robust engine of economic mobility.

As we prepare for an online semester, please consider how important it is for our students to feel connected. We will need to work together so they transition effectively, connect with their faculty and classmates, and feel a sense of community with the college. As a former community college student myself, I know how vital these connections are. First-year students, especially, often struggle with the transition and making it through the semester. Their challenges will be great, and they will need more intentional support from all of us.

Together, we can ensure all of our students have what they need to succeed.

I could not be more grateful for the warm reception. Thank you for your fall preparation, for welcoming me, inspiring me, and showing me what Queensborough is all about.

I am excited to get to know each of you, and to call Queensborough home.

Sincerely,

Christine Mangino, EdD
President-designate
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for welcoming me. I am excited and honored to serve as Queensborough Community College's sixth president. I believe strongly in the College, its academic excellence, its people, and the CUNY values we share in providing access, equity, economic mobility and infinite opportunities for our students to succeed.

I am grateful to Interim President Lynch. Like so many CUNY students, we were both first generation college graduates and we believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of Queensborough.

I discovered my love for learning as a student at community college. It is because of my education and my experiences as a researcher and teacher that I place student success at the center of my work, and I strive for continuous improvement and innovation.

During the presidential search process, I met with students, faculty, staff, alumni, board and community representatives, and I was impressed by their passion and dedication. I look forward to meeting many more of you and learning about your specific roles and priorities over the weeks to come. These conversations will inform how we will work together to ensure that Queensborough remains a premier institution of higher learning.

Transitions can be stressful and so much more so during these times, but working together we will emerge even stronger, more resilient and equipped to add to and celebrate your achievements, our students' success, and Queensborough's excellence.

I look forward to joining you on August 17^th.

Sincerely,

Christine Mangino, EdD
President-designate
Queensborough Community College
The City University of New York