A message from the President

A great first week of classes!

September 2, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of Queensborough Community College

We made it through the first week of fall classes in this online world. It is quite a different world than September 1960, the first time students attended classes at Queensborough! This unprecedented new semester presents challenges for all of us, and I am grateful to all of you for a successful first week.

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.

My first 100 days as President are dedicated to listening and learning. I’ve already met with many department chairs, and will soon meet with all academic departments. I also had the privilege of meeting with key administrators in the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, as well as with the Directors of the Kupferberg Holocaust and Queensborough Performing Arts Centers. Last week I met with the Labor Management Committee and the Academic Senate Steering Committee.

I’ve also met with the Chancellor, several members of his cabinet, and our local elected officials. In each of these meetings, I’ve shared stories of the extraordinary work being done at Queensborough, and advocated on behalf of each of our students and all members of our 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.

Our colleagues in Student Affairs are making phone calls to our new students to see how they are adjusting. We are also identifying opportunities for student engagement events to help these students feel more connected to the college, especially in this remote environment. I encourage each of you to consider sending a congratulatory email or Starfish ‘kudos’ to your students on a successful first week. The challenges they face are considerable. Ideally, each student will make a connection with a faculty or staff member so they have someone to support their transition to college.

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

Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center

QPAC: Performing Arts Center

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoon

QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.