Transparency Series
During AY 2022-2023, the Office of the President launched the Transparency Series, an annual professional development series dedicated to advancing Queensborough's Strategic Plan commitment to create a Culture of Care. The series aims to increase transparency regarding college processes and systems and provide opportunities for faculty and staff to access resources and develop skill sets.
Through these offerings, Queensborough is working to operationalize the four Strategic Plan goals included under Culture of Care.
Archive
In AY 2022 - 2023, the Transparency Series included workshops that covered Queensborough's leadership structure, enrollment management processes, the use of data and assessment in College planning, faculty and staff advancement systems, and the use of technology to advance efficiency.
Click the tiles below to access the recorded sessions.
Leadership
September 2022
In this session, Queensborough’s President reviews the College’s organizational structure, including how decisions are made.
Enrollment Management
October 2022
In this session, Queensborough’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management reviews how the College sets enrollment targets, conducts outreach to new students and plans to address recent enrollment declines.
Data and Assessment
November 2022
This session is divided into two segments. In the first segment, the Director of Institutional Research reviews how the College uses data to advance decision-making and support the strategic planning process. In the second segment, the Director of Policy Analysis for General Education reviews how the College evaluates student learning outcomes.
Faculty and Staff Advancement
February 2023
This session is divided into two segments. In the first segment, Queensborough’s former provost reviews the faculty tenure and promotion process. In the second segment, two leaders from Human Resources review advancement protocols for Higher Education Officer and classified titles.
Technology for Efficiency
March 2023
In this session, leadership from Information Technology reviews how technology can be used for efficiency and in support of a Culture of Care.
Campus Complaint Processes and Systems
September 2023
Queensborough has multiple processes to help address faculty and staff concerns. During this session, four campus leaders will provide an overview of campus processes designed to support faculty and staff when they are experiencing challenges. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, processes to address interpersonal conflict, accommodation (religious/medical/pregnancy/safety), discrimination, harassment and safety/behavioral concerns.
Transfer Awareness Symposium: Bridge to the Bachelor’s Program - Charting Success for our Students
October 2023
The symposium is designed to provide faculty and staff with invaluable insights into the challenges that influence transfer student success. Presenters will highlight the array of resources available to support our students before, during, and after their transition to a four-year institution.
Hate Crime Training
December 2023
Entire communities feel the pain caused by acts of hate that are motivated by shared characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Queensborough is committed to ensuring that our community has the tools and information needed to identify and respond if an incident of hate or bias is experienced or witnessed.
Curricular Changes
September 2024
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 are selecting 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.
Communication Services and Processes
October 2024
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.
Data Literacy
November 2024
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.
The JED Foundation
March 2025
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.
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Gardner Institute
April 2025
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.
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From Boilers to Budgets: Understanding Facilities at QCC
September 2025
Ever wondered how our campus runs behind the scenes? Who fixes the heat when it fails? Why elevators are down longer than we'd like? Or how major renovations get the green light and funding?
Join us for "From Boilers to Budgets: Understanding Facilities at QCC," a dynamic and eye-opening session in our series. This workshop pulls back the curtain on the essential but often invisible work that keeps our campus functioning every day.
What to Expect:
- Capital Projects 101: Learn how major construction and renovation projects are proposed, approved, and funded (often years in advance). Discover the difference between capital vs. operating budgets, and why that distinction matters.
- Pending Projects at QCC: Get a sneak peek into what's coming next, from new construction to major upgrades, and what it takes to bring those plans to life.
- Elevator Woes & HVAC Challenges: Find out why these systems are such complex pain points on campus, and how the college is working to improve safety, reliability, and comfort.
- Maintaining Healthy Spaces: Explore how QCC monitors and maintains water and air quality in our buildings, including testing protocols and system upgrades.
- Future Facility Plans: Hear about long-term visions for modernizing our campus infrastructure and making QCC a greener, more resilient institution.
- Budgets & Bureaucracy: Understand how QCC functions as a city agency within a larger educational system, and how that impacts what we can do (and when). We’ll talk about budget constraints, dependencies on political support, and how recent awards are helping fund overdue improvements.
This workshop will feature insights from facilities leadership and administrative staff who are working every day to keep our campus safe, functional, and forward-looking. You are guaranteed to walk away with a new appreciation for the complexity of our physical campus operations.
Follow-Up Session: From Boilers to Budgets (Deep Dive Q&A)
October 2025
Our From Boilers to Budgets workshop on September 12, 2025, was a rich and lively session, so lively that we ran out of time before getting to all of your excellent questions! That’s why we’re bringing everyone back together for a dedicated follow-up session.
This time around, we’ll skip the basics and jump straight into your questions. To keep the conversation focused (and avoid repeating what we already covered), we ask that only those who attended the September 12 session (or who have watched the recording now posted on our website) join us.
Think of this as the “part two” where we get into the weeds, connect dots, and have some fun exploring the nitty-gritty of boilers, budgets, and everything in between. Bring your curiosity and your questions because we’re ready to dive in with you.
Dollars & Decisions – Understanding QCC’s Budget Behind the Scenes
November 2025
Where does QCC’s money come from and why can’t we just use it for what we need right now? Why do some purchases take five minutes and others five weeks? What’s the deal with CUNYBuy? And can you really order that from Amazon?
If you’ve ever had questions about how the college’s budget works or hit a wall trying to get something funded, this workshop is for you.
Join us for "Dollars & Decisions: Understanding QCC’s Budget Behind the Scenes," a practical and illuminating session in our Transparency Series that breaks down how budget operations really function at Queensborough.
What You'll Learn:
- Where the Money Comes From (and Why That Matters): Explore the key differences between funding sources- tax-levy, grants, capital funds, and more, and how each one shapes what the college can and can’t do with its money.
- Who Does What in the Budget Office: Learn the organizational structure of the team, keeping the financial wheels turning. Find out who to contact for what and when.
- Purchasing 101:
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What credit cards can be used for—and what they absolutely shouldn't be used for.
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What you can (and can't) order from Amazon.
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What must go through CUNYBuy, and where exceptions can be made.
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Why some purchases get delayed and how to avoid common mistakes.
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- Tracking the Money: Learn about the reporting and reconciliation processes that keep spending transparent and compliant.
- Dive into how personnel expenses are managed, how the college balances hiring needs with financial realities, and what goes into decisions about replacing or creating positions.
We’ll talk frankly about the college’s ongoing efforts to balance the budget, how those efforts affect day-to-day operations, and what’s being done to plan smarter and spend more strategically. This is your chance to ask questions, understand constraints, and find opportunities to work with the system instead of feeling like you're working against it.
Emergency Preparedness & Communication
March 2026
Caring for our community starts with preparation, coordination, and clear communication. This Transparency Series session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the College plans for emergencies and how those plans turn into real-time action when it matters most.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of how emergency planning and response are coordinated across campus, including who is involved, how decisions are made, and how timely, accurate information is shared with the campus community. You will learn how the College uses a layered system of emergency notifications, including CUNY Alert and other communication tools, to keep the community informed during evolving situations.
The session will walk through how the College prepares for and responds to a wide range of scenarios, including severe weather, safety and security incidents, medical and public health emergencies, infrastructure disruptions, and hazardous material concerns. We will also review campus protocols for working with external agencies, including guidance related to the potential presence of ICE on or near campus, consistent with CUNY policy and applicable law.
This session is designed to be practical, informative, and empowering. You will leave with a clear understanding of the College’s emergency plans, the process behind how those plans are developed, what to expect during different types of incidents.
Presenters:
- Stephen Di Dio, Vice President, Division of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement
- Gissette Forte, Vice President, Division of Finance & Administration
- John Triolo, Director, Public Safety
Understanding Complaint Processes and Outcomes
April 17, 2026
Caring for our community means knowing where to turn when concerns arise. Sometimes those concerns involve clear policy violations. Other times, they begin as questions or situations that are harder to name, and it may not be clear what the next step should be.
This Transparency Series session is designed to provide faculty and staff with practical, helpful guidance on campus resources, policies, and processes that support our community when concerns are raised. The session will walk through where to go for low-stakes questions, how and when to raise concerns, and what happens if an issue moves into a formal complaint process. Participants will learn what those processes look like, who is involved, how confidentiality is handled, and what to expect at each stage.
The session will also address what happens after a complaint is closed. We will discuss how outcomes are determined and why information about resolutions cannot always be shared widely. At the same time, the session will emphasize how concerns are reviewed, addressed, and resolved, even when details cannot be made public.
Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of their options, the supports available to them and their colleagues, and how the College approaches concerns with fairness, accountability, and respect for all members of our community.
Presenters:
- Amaris Matos, Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Brian Mitra, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
- Nelmy Negrete, Executive Director of Human Resources
Mapping Complexity: Reviewing Curricular Data to Foster Pathways to Success
April 24, 2026
In spring 2025, Queensborough convened the Curricular Data Analytics Committee as part of our partnership with the Gardner Institute. The Committee’s charge was to develop a plan and framework for a reflective review of the college’s curricula for coherence. During that semester, all 15 academic departments participated in reviewing curriculum maps, discussing areas of complexity, and identifying potential barriers to student persistence and completion, and developing plans to resolve barriers.
This Transparency Series session will provide an overview of the process, including:
- How curricular complexity was assessed
- Examples of fishbone diagrams used to identify factors contributing to barriers to student success
- How primary and secondary drivers of change were identified
- The change concepts developed in response
The session will also explain how academic departments are using these findings to develop targeted improvement strategies.
