President's Report for November 2021
Student Affairs
Enrollment Management Update
- The Office of Admissions continues to recruit new students for the upcoming Winter and Spring 2022 semesters, with registration for these students set to begin on Wednesday, November 3rd.
- The continuing student advising and registration process is underway in the Office of Academy Advisement. Marketing and Academy Advisement have promoted a campaign for “October is Advising and Registration” month. We have been advising our continuing students and preparing for a busy registration period beginning Wednesday, October 27th in the Academies. We have also launched limited in-person advising in our offices with same day walk-in appointments utilizing the QLess system. In addition, we will be sending coordinated messages to students who may have withdrawn from classes this semester, to return in spring 2022.
- The Office of Academy Advisement hosted an Instagram Live session with two advising managers on Tuesday, October 26th (the day before registration began in the Academies) to encourage early registration and answer whatever questions students may have. In addition, they began advising and registering incoming Spring 2022 students on Thursday, November 4th. Our messaging is focused on early registration, especially as there may be a high demand for online courses, with fewer offerings in that modality for Spring 2022.
Athletics
- We are proud to announce that the QCC Men’s Soccer Team won the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship on Monday, October 18th, beating Bronx Community College 3-0. Queensborough, competing in its eighth consecutive conference final, secured its ninth championship in program history and second in the last three seasons of competition. Freshman John Pavana was named the CUNY Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship Game MVP.
- The QCC Women’s Volleyball Team will host the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship on Monday, October 25th. The team, ranked #1 seed for the regional tournament, will vie for the title against Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College. Sophomore Amira Durkovic has been named Region XV Setter of the Year & First Team All-Region for Women’s Volleyball. Freshman Rosanna Bradica was named Second Team All-Region for Women’s Volleyball, and sophomore Leslie Flores was named to Region XV Sportsmanship Team for Women’s Volleyball.
- The new QCC Athletics website is launched and now visible online at QCC Tigers website.
Student Resources
- Faculty and staff are asked to encourage our students to avail themselves of the valuable and free resources through the QCC Advocacy Resource Center. Services provided include (but not limited to) public benefits screening, financial coaching, legal assistance, tax preparation services, housing assistance, food pantry referrals, and more. For additional information, contact the QCC Advocacy Resource Center at arc@qcc.cuny.edu.
- Emergency funding is available to students who face a financial crisis that puts at risk their continued enrollment toward their QCC degree. Supported through a grant from The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, the funds provide one-time, emergency grants to students in good standing with short-term financial emergencies to enable them to remain in school, rather than being forced to leave or drop out. Periodic e-mail reminders to the college community outlining the grant eligibility and encouraging faculty and staff to refer students to apply. Please refer students with short-term financial emergencies to Ms. Amawati Gonesh, Program Administrator, via e-mail at AGonesh@qcc.cuny.edu.
- The Senator Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act (DREAM Act) allows undocumented and other eligible students to apply for New York State financial aid. The NYS DREAM Act application is used to determine student eligibility under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act. Students who meet the NYS DREAM Act's eligibility requirements for high school attendance, high school completion, in-state SUNY or CUNY tuition, and citizenship or immigration status will be able to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs. Students who qualify under the NYS DREAM Act can separately apply for NYS student financial aid programs. The program is administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.
- The CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contestis funded by an endowment gift of $100,000 to the City University of New York by Dr. K. York Chynn and his wife Noelle Chynn. This annual award is intended to promote and stimulate thinking by college students at CUNY about the topic of ethics, morality, and virtuous behavior in their lives. More than ever, these issues arise not only in the personal relationships of individuals and family and friends, but also in the context of corporate, government, and social responsibility, whether it is about treating others fairly and honestly, or food safety. The topic of this year's essay is Virtue and the deadline to apply is November 30, 2021.
- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarshipmakes it possible for the nation's top community college students to complete their bachelor's degrees by transferring to a selective four-year college or university. The Foundation provides up to $40,000 per year to each of approximately 45 deserving students selected annually, making it the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country. Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student's educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive. The application opened on October 1, 2021 with a deadline to apply of January 10, 2022.
- The Women's Forum Education Award provides a scholarship of $10,000. The awards will be given to women aged 35 and over, who have faced and overcome adversity and now, after an interruption in their education, have resumed the pursuit of their first Associate or Bachelor degree. Applicants must demonstrate noteworthy promise and resilience in the face of challenges and must also demonstrate a commitment to helping others and to making a difference in their community, large or small, when their own career goals are achieved. Financial need and academic excellence are not the primary determining factors in the selection of recipients, although true financial need should be evident and the candidate should be in good academic standing. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2022.
- Applications for The Guttman Scholarship for High-Achieving Community College Graduates will open in November for eligible students. Faculty and staff are asked to encourage our students to apply. To be eligible for a Spring 2022 scholarship, students must earn an associate degree from a CUNY community college in the Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021 or Winter 2021semester, and must currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students must also be transferring to Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman, or Queens College in Spring 2022, and must enroll full time (at least 12 credits/semester). Scholarship priority will be given to students who qualify for financial aid. Students who are awarded a scholarship will receive up to $4,000 paid over two years (four semesters at up to $1,000 a semester).
Upcoming Events
- As part of our collaboration for student wellness and success Dr. Fletcher-Anthony of the QCC Counseling Center invites you to attend an informal Faculty and Staff Consultation Hour. It is a space to discuss student issues that concern faculty and staff, explore ways to address them, and the nuances involved in providing support. It is also an opportunity to get your Counseling Center related questions answered. Upcoming event dates include Friday, November 12th, Monday, November 29th, and Tuesday, December 7th. To register, visit here.
Academic Affairs
STEM Tuition Waiver Program
The STEM Tuition Waiver Program will continue in FY22. Historically, we have had robust program participation from our students and maximized use of the funds. Along with other funding sources, the balance of the funds will be spent during the summer 2022 session.
The goal of the STEM Tuition Waiver Program is to promote credit accumulation in STEM courses while not jeopardizing TAP eligibility. QCC students who are in good academic standing, and enrolled in a degree or certificate program will be offered a chance to receive a waiver for enrolling in one STEM course (includes lab) that is part of their degree plan during the winter 2022 session, on a first come, first serve basis Student fees are not covered by the waiver.
Center for Excellence in Teaching and learning (CETL)
The Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) continues to offer virtual professional development opportunities and individual consultations regarding instructional practices. CETL's professional development supports CUNY's OER scale-up initiative for faculty who are redesigning course materials and pedagogical approaches to replace proprietary textbooks with OERs available on campus-based, centralized technology platforms. As part of the New York State Open Educational Resources (OER) Scale-Up Initiative, CUNY has funded Queensborough's ongoing OER initiatives and practices for the 5th consecutive year. CETL's upcoming workshop series ("Creating Teaching ePortfolio") will support faculty in the process of creating a digital documentation of one's teaching philosophy and the relationship between course goals, assignments, and evidence of student learning. All Faculty are encouraged to visit CETL and OET homepages to see a complete listing of all upcoming events and professional development opportunities.
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:
On September 24, 2021, Dr. Kerri-Ann Smith hosted the second “Thriving in Academia” lecture series featuring Dr. Patricia Matthew. Dr. Matthew discussed the importance of balancing service obligations with scholarly pursuits. In her talk, Dr. Matthew encouraged us to consider our tenure and promotion practices and encouraged junior faculty to focus on scholarly pursuits to ensure longevity at the institution.
The Antiracist Curriculum Task Force continues to develop the guidelines to help faculty implement antiracist, culturally responsive practices in classrooms at QCC.
On October 26, Dr. Smith will host a FaculTEA Meet and Greet for all junior faculty of color via Zoom.
The next “Thriving in Academia” lecture will take place on November 12 at noon.
OFFICE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)
CEWD in Action! (Community Outreach)
CEWD Dean Hui-Yin Hsu joined EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Flushing Site’s Grand Opening Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, in honor of Charles P. Wang, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. CEWD will partner with EmblemHealth AdvantageCare Physicians and Neighborhood Care to establish a pipeline for the healthcare workforce and serve a greater community.
CEWD Yang Xu, Director of Chinese Academy, Eric Feng, Interim Director of Port of Entry, and Abel Hassan, Coordinator of High School Equivalency and ESL Programs, were out there in Flushing for community outreach at EmblemHealth’s Healthier Future Wellness Expo on Saturday, October 9, 2021.
CEWD takes part in Mayor Bill de Blasio's new initiative- the NYC Public Health Corps (PHC), an innovative effort to expand the public health workforce, strengthen community health infrastructure, and promote health equity for the communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals are leading the initiative. CEWD is proud to be part of the program for Community Health Worker Training and Apprenticeship—Vaccine for All Corps members will be trained in a partnership with CUNY, Department of Small Business Services and multiple community-based organizations to become CHWs. The conclusion of the CHW apprenticeship program is fast approaching. CUNY/QCC CEWD will train a total of 60 CHWs by the end of October 2021. The mayor's office and City Hall is assisting in the transition of CHWs into positions of permanent employment.
In the middle, EmblemHealth CEO, Karen Ignagni
Middle: Charles P. Wang, President of Chinese American Cultural & Art Association, and EmblemHealth CEO, Karen Ignagni
Eric Feng, Interim Director of Port of Entry and Yang Xu, Director of Chinese Academy
OFFICE OF GRANTS AND SPONSORED PROGRAMS
GRANTS AWARDED - September 24 – October 22, 2021
Academic Affairs
- US Department of Education (USDOE) Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program – Title V: $2,997,314, Pullin, Michael; "Leveraging Faculty Development and Supplemental Instruction to Enhance the First-year Experience and Beyond”
Institutional Advancement & Student Affairs
- Alliance Bernstein L.P.; $51,150, Sheerazi, Saji & Duque, William; “Alliance Bernstein Black Males Initiative Program”
Office of Finance and Administration
FY 22 Budget Update
Even as Queensborough begins to emerge from the financial uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus, the budget trend for QCC continues to be challenging. FY 2022 even more so, with another City Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) and a precipitous 15% decline in Fall 2021 enrollment on top of double-digit losses in enrollment over the past few years. The associated rapid decline in tuition revenue has not allowed the College sufficient time to adjust fixed costs or allow for natural attrition of staff to similarly reduce expenditures, resulting in a structural deficit. This budget situation was presented and described to the College’s Chairs, ECP colleagues, and faculty governance leaders in several presentations over the late summer and fall. The College has created three task forces - Enterprise Revenue, OTPS and Enrollment Strategies to think creatively and make strategic recommendations to help close the deficit.
In consultation with the Budget Advisory Committee of the Academic Senate and with the College Advisory Planning Committee, our FY 2022 Financial Plan was submitted to the University on September 23. The plan assumes QCC’s continued vigilance in the use of available allocations by holding staff vacancies open and scrutinizing and approving only critical OTPS expenditures. With the support of Federal Stimulus funding, we expect the 2022 QCC budget to remain stable. Mid-year adjustments may be necessary depending on Spring 2021 actual enrollment.
Office of Institutional Advancement
Annual Fund Campaign:
Faculty and staff may choose to support faculty development, merit scholarships, the QCC Food Pantry, Endowment for Student Success, or another key service or program that resonates deep within them. The link to give online is here and you can make your selection from the drop-down menu. Checks must be made payable to the QCC Fund, Inc. and mailed to Queensborough Community College, Office of Institutional Advancement, Room A-508, 222-05 56 Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364.
Queensborough students continue to grapple with the pandemic. Your donation to the Annual Fund Campaign will make both an immediate and life-long impact on our students.
#CUNYTuesday – November 30, 2021
#CUNYTuesday is on November 30th and QCC is again participating with all the CUNY colleges in the 24-hour giving challenge. To make a gift online for #CUNYTuesday visit here . Faculty and staff can support #CUNYTuesday through payroll deduction. Up to three (3) CUNY colleges can be listed as beneficiaries and all funds raised will be used where the College(s) need it the most. Online enrollment for payroll deductions will remain open from November 2nd to December 3rd.
Thank you for your continued support!
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Thanksgiving Food Pantry Distribution:
Perishables and Thanksgiving items will be generously donated to the food distribution from David Mandell of Holiday Farms. David’s wife, Amy Pepper Mandell, is an Adjunct Counselor at the College. Amy has volunteered at the College’s prior food distributions.
Art Gallery
Installation:
Tribute – 2001-2021 - 3d Walkthrough Available: https://app.cloudpano.com/tours/KvC4S-g57
A curated selection of photography from the Gallery’s collection pays tribute to the 20th Anniversary of the World Trade Center. The depth of work, taken by former QCC student and firefighter, Chris Landano, at Ground Zero depicts the pain, sorrow and sacrifice experienced across the nation during the aftermath of the attack. The powerful images portray the rescue and recovery efforts after the events. A 3D walkthrough will be available on our website on October 15, 2021.
This exhibition is installed in the QCC Art Gallery and available for viewing by appointment only. Please contact the Gallery at 718-631-6396 to schedule an appointment.
September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World
In collaboration with Student Activities, this educational exhibition recounts the events of September 11, 2001 through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived the attacks. Told across 14 posters, this exhibition includes archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection.
This exhibition is installed in the QCC Art Gallery and available for viewing by appointment only. Please contact the Gallery at 718-631-6396 to schedule an appointment.
Virtual Exhibitions:
Juried Student Exhibition: Department of Art & Design – Virtual exhibition
The Juried Student Exhibition displays a broad range of talent from the students currently pursuing their artistic aspirations here at Queensborough Community College. This is the twelfth annual student exhibition and will be held virtually on the Gallery’s website.
November 15, 2021
Architectural Designs - The Engineering Technology Department
A collection of architectural models embracing the talent and creativity from the students enrolled in Engineering Design courses here at the College. The exhibition explores the techniques used to develop these models and architectural construction.
POTUS exhibition 3D walkthrough available: 360 Tour - QCC Gallery - POTUS (cloudpano.com)
Kupferberg Holocaust Center
KHC ORIGIHNAL EXHIBITION
The Concentration Camps: Inside the Nazi System of Incarceration and Genocide
On View and Online
This original exhibition at the Harriet & Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center surveys the scope and brutality of the Nazi system of incarceration and genocide, underscoring the horrific consequences of intolerance, racism, and authoritarianism. In addition to the exhibit’s text, images, and artifacts, personal testimonies from local Holocaust survivors offer painful insights into these excruciating landscapes of degradation and dehumanization. This exhibit is curated by Dr. Cary Lane, KHC 2020-21 Curator-in-Residence and Associate Professor of English at QCC.
PROGRAMMING:
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EST
Scholars in Conversation Series
Intersecting Identities: Growing Up Asian and Jewish
Dr. Helen Kiyong Kim, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Sociology at Whitman College
Dr. Noah Samuel Leavitt, Director of Student Engagement at Whitman College
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Holocaust Memory / Annual Kristallnacht Commemoration
“BOYKOTT April 1, 1933: Spectatorship and the Exclusion of Jews from the German Community”
Dr. Dr. Peter Fritzsche, professor of history at the University of Illinois, and author of Reading Berlin 1900, Germans into Nazis, and most recently, Hitler’s First Hundred Days
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EST
Scholars in Conversation Series
Narrating Srebrenica: Conducting Oral Histories with Genocide Survivors
Hasan Hasanović, Genocide survivor and Head of the Oral History Project at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
Ann Petrila, Professor of the Practice and Coordinator of Global Initiatives at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work
Selma Leydesdorff, Professor of Oral History and Culture at the University of Amsterdam and author of Surviving the Bosnian Genocide: The Women of Srebrenica Speak.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EST
KHC-NEH Performance
Unheard Melodies
Renana Gutman, Concert Pianist and Piano Faculty at Longy School of Music of Bard College
For all public program information visit: KHC events website.
PLEASE NOTE:
All programming will be held virtually for Fall 2021.
Visit the Education page of the KHC Website for a complete listing of our comprehensive library guides and to view recorded events from our past NEH colloquia.
Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC)
Thursday, November 11, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. ET - FREE
QPAC Live! Presents Terron Brooks: The Soul of Broadway
Terron Brooks is an American singer, songwriter and actor who is best known for his portrayal of Eddie Kendricks in the 1998 NBC miniseries The Temptations. He has sung with many artists including Stephanie Mills, Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson, and has performed in the U.S. and Europe. He is also a Broadway actor who has been seen as Simba in Disney's The Lion King and Seaweed in Hairspray. The Soul of Broadway, will bring Broadway to audiences in a fresh new way as Brooks reinterprets your favorite classic and contemporary Broadway songs. Live performance and Q&A.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. ET – FREE
Name That Tune/Bingo on QPAC Live!
Join us for a new twist on the classic game – Name That Tune with a special rapid Bingo round!
The fabulous DJ Bucciarelli hosts the show, with special appearances by Executive Director Susan Agin, to test your knowledge of music for a family fun night. Compete against friends or relatives around the corner, or across the country! A different theme each time. There will be an on-line scoring sheet and an Amazon Gift Card for the winner! You won't want to miss these exciting interactive on-line games.
Thursday, November 18, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. ET - FREE
QPAC Live! Presents Brian Brigham: A New Season for this Modern Gentleman
Brian Brigham is an accomplished singer and actor. As one of The Four Seasons, Brian wowed audiences all over the world performing with rock & roll icon Frankie Valli. TV/Film credits include: General Hospital, Boston Legal, and Jimmy Kimmel. Theater credits include: Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Saturday Night Fever. Brian is a background vocalist on American Idol, America's Got Talent and The Voice and is now touring as part of the dynamic vocal quartet, The Modern Gentlemen. Live performance & Q&A.
December 11, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Are you looking for a really fun way to get in shape?
GOTTA DANCE!
QPAC’s Broadway Dance-Along Winter Workout Challenge!
Professional dance choreographers teach popular dance numbers from some of the most popular movie musicals of all time!
This special three-session workshop provides a great outlet for individuals looking to have fun and jump-start a healthy regime. One hour of exhilarating music and caloric-burning activity. ONLY $10 per workshop!
