Messages from the President

Dr. Christine Mangino

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1, 2024

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 

A Message from the President

January 29, 2024

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

A Message From the President

January 16, 2024

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 

Thankful

November 21, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving

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 

A message from President Mangino

November 10, 2023

candles lit for Diwali

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 

Veterans Day 2023

November 3, 2023

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 

Veteran's Day

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

October 23, 2023

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.

 

New Welcome Flags for Campus

October 11, 2023

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

An Important Message From the President

October 10, 2023

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 staffand 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

Appointment of Nelmy Negrete, PHR., Executive Director of the Office of Human Resources

October 4, 2023

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

President Mangino's Book Club

September 21, 2023

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

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 18, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month

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

A message from President Mangino

September 14, 2023

Shana Tova

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.  

"This period of introspection is something our community can participate in as well."

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

Queensborough's  Transparent Insights Dashboard 

September 12, 2023

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

Remembering September 11, 2001

September 11, 2023
Dear Queensborough Community,
Today marks the twenty-second anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Many of us vividly remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with that Tuesday morning. Years later, it still feels recent as we think of those we have lost, including some in our community. Many of you know I lost my partner John, who worked in one of the towers. He passed away last year due to cancer linked to the toxins released from the attack. I want to take a moment to 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.  
However, there are other memories we can hold on to from that time. How communities nationwide came together to help one another. How individuals demonstrated tremendous courage and kindness to support their neighbors. It reminds me of how the values of inclusion and understanding unite our Queensborough community.
Today, let us pause and remember the lives lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 and the thousands of first responders and survivors who have died due to illnesses related to that horrible day. As we remember those we have lost, let’s hold fast to our hope for a better future with renewed dedication to the work we do each day to create a community of care.
Sincerely,
Chris
Dr. Christine Mangino 
President

Reaffirmation of Commitment to Equal Opportunity, Equity, and Inclusion

September 6, 2023

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.eduReports 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 Sexual 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

Welcome Back!

August 30, 2023

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

I am deeply saddened to share….

March 16, 2023

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

Devastation in Turkey and Syria

February 9, 2023

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

Veterans Day

October 31, 2022

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

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

Veterans Day

Welcome Chief of Staff Lanaia DuBose

October 17, 2022

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

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

Reminder: New Faculty Development Opportunity: Association of College and University Educators (ACUE)

October 8, 2022

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

Please join us in supporting our colleagues along their learning journey and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative.

 

Sincerely,

Christine

 

Dr. Christine Mangino 
President 

Remembering 9/11

September 9, 2022

9-11 Memorial Image

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.


Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Reaffirmation of Commitment to Equal Opportunity, Equity and Inclusion

September 7, 2022

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

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 Sexual 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

In Response to Your Request: Announcing the Inaugural Professional Development Series

September 1, 2022

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

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

In the Know: A Great First Day!

August 25, 2022

President Mangino with student and mascot

Welcome to the Fall '22 Semester! I hope you have had a wonderful and restful summer.
I would first like to thank everyone on campus who put forth an amazing effort to get our students back on campus. Although colleges across the country are seeing a steep decline in enrollment, we are in a stronger position than nearly any other CUNY community college. It is the power of our collective effort that has made the difference.
 
With the start of the fall term, and with more students coming back for in-person classes and many coming to campus for the first time, it is important that we be as helpful as we can to them​. We’ve all been through a challenging two and a half years. Our students, in many instances, were forced to either earn their high school diploma or begin their college education remotely. Still, I believe the road ahead is full of possibilities, and I am confident we will continue to work together to give our students the best education we can, and the care and attention they deserve. 
 
As a friendly reminder if you notice a colleague going above and beyond their daily responsibilities to care for our students, please encourage their supervisor to nominate them for the President's C.A.R.E.S Award (Commendation and Recognition for Excellence in Service Award) at www.qcc.cuny.edu/CARES. As a token of my appreciation, one faculty and one staff member will be selected each month to be profiled on our website and will have the choice to either join me for lunch or receive new Queensborough swag. And all nominations will be recognized! 
 
On campus, we have another promising year ahead with new opportunities for faculty and staff engagement, including the launch of a new professional development series and a soon-to-be-announced Queensborough Family Day! Our facilities are also undergoing exciting upgrades and improvements including a new QPAC Performing Arts Center theatre scheduled to open this spring, new exhibitions in the Kupferberg Holocaust Center and QCC Art Gallery, expanded food service offerings, including a new Starbucks coming to the Science Cafeteria early next month, and re-opened athletic facilities so spectators can cheer on our Tigers! 
 
As we begin another academic year together, I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, September 7 at 12:15 PM for our fall semester Welcome Back in the Medical Arts Building, Room 136. 
 
I thank all of you for your hard work and commitment to our students’ success. 
Christine 

Supreme Court

June 24, 2022

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

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:


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


Chris

Dr. Christine Mangino
President

Buffalo Shooting

May 16, 2022

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

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

Please join me for the spring Common Read virtual event.

March 21, 2022

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

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

Conflict in Ukraine

February 25, 2022

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

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

Unveiling the Strategic Plan and Introducing the Office of Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

February 24, 2022

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

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

Seach Updates: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief Librarian

February 16, 2022

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

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

Passing of Dr. Kurt Schmeller, former President of Queensborough Community College

January 18, 2022

Dr. Kurt Schmeller, former President of 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

Launch of The Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center at Queensborough Community College

January 18, 2022

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

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


 

Thank you for making #CUNYTuesday a success!

December 2, 2021

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

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!  

bouquet of flowers

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. 

The funds will be used to provide emergency and critical support to our students and there is no doubt that, during these unprecedented times, additional help will be needed throughout the year.  
 
If you have not yet had the opportunity to donate online or through CUNY’s payroll deduction program, you still can. The payroll deduction program’s enrollment period, however, ends tomorrow, Friday, December 3rd. The process is fast, easy, and secure.  
 
If you would like to complete payroll deduction online, you will need your 7-digit New York City employee ID # (also known as your Reference Number). We realize that you may not have this number at hand, so please contact Martha Aspromatis in the Office of Human Resources at MAspromatis@qcc.cuny.edu who is available to assist. 
 
Queensborough’s #CUNYTuesday Raffle winners will be selected tomorrow, December 3rd at 6:00 PM! If you have not had the opportunity to make a contribution that makes you eligible to win one of our donated prizes – an iPad or tickets to a Broadway Show – it’s not too late! And remember, as a special thank you from me to you, all donors who gift $50 or more will receive a limited edition Queensborough pennant. 
Thank you, always, for caring for our students. And for doing what you can to make a difference.  

Chris


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

Favor

November 29, 2021

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

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

Thankful

November 24, 2021

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

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

Saluting our Veterans

November 11, 2021

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

Great News! Queensborough has been named an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College

November 3, 2021

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

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

September 8, 2021

9-11 Memorial Image

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

You're Invited! Queensborough Cares Food Pantry Distribution Event on July 26 from 1-3PM

July 22, 2021

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

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


Queensborough Cares Pantry

Appointment of Dr. Brian R. Mitra

June 22, 2021

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

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

Candidate Biographies & Resumes for Vice President Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

May 17, 2021

CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of 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:



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


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

You're Invited: Meet the Candidates for Vice President Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

May 14, 2021

CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of 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.
I am very grateful to the search committee, who worked tirelessly to identify leaders who value and represent the communities we serve. The members, listed below, brought unique perspectives to the search process and chose the best-qualified professionals. It was among the most diverse candidate pools to apply for an executive leadership position at Queensborough. Thank you:
  • 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, 


Christine

Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Returning to In-Person work

May 13, 2021

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

TOMORROW: The first of its Inaugural Lecture Series for faculty development, Thriving in Academia

May 6, 2021

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

April 28, 2021

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

Tonight's Verdict

April 20, 2021

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

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni,

The guilty verdicts in the Derek Chauvin trial are important steps toward accountability. However, they do not mark the end of our community’s response to the police killings of George Floyd and other unarmed people of color.

There is still grief, outrage and more to do about the racist tragedies that continue to damage and scar our nation. Queensborough Community College will draw on what we have learned from this trial, this last year, and our history. Our experiences, knowledge and compassion will inform our actions and guide us in our work together to eliminate anti-Blackness and racism.

We know events specific to today are enmeshed within larger structures of racism. The pain, anxiety, and trauma experienced by our Black community today is felt every day.

One of the most diverse communities of learners anywhere, Queensborough Community College faculty, staff and students are committing ourselves to learning from one another to dismantle all racism within our College’s structures, systems and processes.

Together, we are ensuring that Queensborough is shaped, informed, and guided by our diversity. Some measures taken this year include:

  • In consultation with our community, we are making equity central to our College’s strategic plan, policies, and procedures;
  • We have been accepted by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) to develop plans for a Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation; and
  • Initiating a series of workshops, in association with New York University, to increase racial literacy on campus.

Queensborough Community College acknowledges the array of emotions associated with today’s verdicts. We provide affirming care for our students, faculty, and staff. If you, or someone you know, needs assistance please accept the following resources:

George Floyd’s death was not in vain. The verdict is an inflection point and we are called to move forward in our pursuit of justice and equality.


United with you,
Chris


Dr. Christine Mangino
President
Queensborough Community College

Daunte Wright

April 13, 2021

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

Search Update: Vice President Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

April 8, 2021

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

We Want to Hear From You: Fall 2021 Reopening

March 25, 2021

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

We stand with the AAPI community

March 18, 2021

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

One Year Later We #VaxUpCUNY

March 11, 2021

US flag waving

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

Fall Update

March 08, 2021

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

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

Update: Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment

February 22, 2021

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

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

Reminder: Update: President's Cabinet

February 16, 2021

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

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

Welcome Back!

January 29, 2021

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

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

Herstory is Made

January 20, 2021

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

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

Persist this Spring!

January 19, 2021

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

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.
In addition, all of us at Queensborough are here to help you persist and succeed: from your professors and your advisers to tutors; from career coaches and financial aid counselors to student ambassadors and mental health counselors; from transfer resource counselors to the center for students with disabilities and veterans services; and so many others.

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

Recent Events

January 7, 2021

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

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

We did it!

December 23, 2020

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

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

Thankful

November 26, 2020

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

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

A Request from the President's Task Force for Community Engagement

November 18, 2020

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

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


Saluting Our Veterans

November 11, 2020

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

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

Reaffirmation of Commitment to Diversity/Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

October 14, 2020

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

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 Sexual 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

Announcing the Executive Advisor to the President for equity

September 14, 2020

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

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

Remembering September 11, 2001

September 11, 2020

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

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

Remembering September 11, 2001

A great first week of classes!

September 2, 2020

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

Dear Colleagues,
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

Thank You! A Conversation with President Christine Mangino

August 26, 2020
CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of Queensborough Community College

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


A Conversation between President Christine Mangino, Ed. D. and Professor Steven Dahlke, Ph. D.

A Message From The President

August 17, 2020
CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of Queensborough Community College

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


Thank You

August 17, 2020

Public Safety officers on the campus of QCCDear 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

A message from the President

August 17, 2020
CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of Queensborough Community College

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

A message from the President-Designate

June 30, 2020
CUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Christine Mangino, Ed.D. President of Queensborough Community College

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 17th.

Sincerely,

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

Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center exterior lit up at nightOpens in a new window
Kupferberg Holocaust Center Opens in a new window

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 CenterOpens in a new window
QPAC: Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window

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 afternoonOpens in a new window
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.