LaGuardia Community College Programs and Services

LaGuardia Community College offers a wide array of programs and services designed to support students in their academic, professional, and personal journeys. These resources range from academic advising and career counseling to wellness services and support for students with disabilities. This article provides an overview of the key programs and services available to LaGuardia students.

Academic Support Services

Academic Advising and Faculty Mentors

Navigating college coursework and choosing the right path can be challenging. LaGuardia offers various advising options to guide students. Academic advisors provide advice on specific courses related to a student's major, helping them stay on track for graduation. Faculty Mentors and Career Counselors offer career guidance and information about potential career paths related to a student's field of study. Transfer Peer Mentors, who are LaGuardia alumni currently enrolled at four-year CUNY colleges, offer support and advice to students planning to transfer.

CUNY Start and Math Start

For students who need to strengthen their skills before starting credit-bearing courses, LaGuardia offers programs like CUNY Start and Math Start. CUNY Start is an intensive pre-college preparation program focusing on reading, writing, and math skills, as well as strategies for success in college. Math Start helps students build on their high school math skills, covering more complex topics in algebra, including functions and the manipulation of expressions. These programs aim to build a stronger academic foundation, reduce the need for developmental courses, and alleviate the financial burden of paying for developmental courses.

Library Media Resources Center

In today's information-rich world, access to reliable and current data is crucial. The Library Media Resources Center provides LaGuardia students with a wide range of resources, including subscription databases with encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, peer-reviewed journals, primary source materials, videos, and books. The library's collection supports LaGuardia's curricular needs, offering almost 100,000 volumes and access to over half a million ebooks. Holdings include textbooks, assigned course readings, career information, and study aids. The library also subscribes to over 500 current print periodicals and has access to over 100,000 periodical titles electronically. The physical media collection includes over 6,000 titles, and streaming technology provides access to over 200,000 video titles.

The Library also offers laptops, iPads, and calculators for loan to students. Group study rooms are available for students to collaborate and use technology such as large monitors. The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service allows students to borrow items not held in the LaGuardia collection from institutions outside of CUNY. Library faculty provide instruction at the Reference Desk and teach information-gathering skills through the Library’s instruction program. The Library also offers credit classes such as Internet Research Strategies (LRC 103) and Information Strategies: Managing the Revolution (LRC 102).

Student Support Services

The Wellness Center

LaGuardia Community College’s Health and Wellness Services includes the Wellness Center, which offers mental health and crisis services to students. The center provides personal guidance and counseling to help students achieve their educational and career goals, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance their interpersonal relationships. Services include short-term individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and workshops on topics such as depression, stress management, and anxiety.

Academic and Student Social Integration for Success Team (ASSIST)

The ASSIST program provides support to students who experience social anxiety, isolation, or have been diagnosed with Autism and/or Asperger’s. The program is staffed with peer mentors/coaches and a graduate intern(s), supervised by a trained and licensed counselor. Peer mentors/coaches offer support, goal development, and coping skills to help students reach their goals and connect with others.

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

LaGuardia Community College is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and services for students with disabilities. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides advocacy and facilitates the transition to college life for students with disabilities. Services include academic, career, and personal counseling, academic advisement and registration, and support services such as readers, note takers, tutors, and proctoring of exams.

International Student Services Office

The International Student Services Office provides support and guidance to students in F-1 status. The office maintains records and assists students with federally mandated regulations.

Transfer Services

Transfer Services helps students make informed decisions about transferring to four-year colleges, including CUNY, SUNY, and other institutions. The staff provides resources, tools, and support to guide students through the transfer process, including college research, connecting with four-year college representatives, on-site credit evaluations, and assistance with applications and scholarships.

Program for Deaf Adults (PDA)

The Program for Deaf Adults (PDA) provides support services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. These services include academic advisement, registration assistance, interpreters, testing accommodations, tutoring, and note-taking.

Student Advocate/Ombuds Officer

LaGuardia Community College’s Student Advocate/Ombuds Officer offers a confidential, neutral resource for students to receive assistance, voice concerns, and complaints. The Ombuds Officer serves as a mediator, addressing issues and facilitating communication and resolution in a fair and equitable manner. The Ombudsperson provides information about college policies, procedures, services, rights, and responsibilities, and suggests modifications to the institution based on students’ concerns.

Additional Programs and Services

Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)

The Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) provides child care for children ages 12 months to 12 years, preparing them for the next level of development. ECLC programs are located on campus and include Infant Toddler Care, Preschool, Extended Day, School Age, Saturday, Summer Camp, Holiday Camp, and Department of Education free Pre-K for All programs for children of LaGuardia students.

The Health Center

The Health Center works to minimize students' health problems and risks, helping them attain their academic goals. The Center coordinates the college’s immunization program, disseminates information about meningitis, facilitates medical leaves of absence, monitors over-the-counter medication, and provides blood pressure and glucose monitoring. The staff also coordinates on-campus health fairs and manages a comprehensive HIV/STI prevention education program.

Summer Sessions

LaGuardia Community College offers summer sessions with learning opportunities for learners of all ages. High school students are welcome to take college-level courses as visiting students. Additionally, specialized English as a Second Language courses are available for teens ages 13-16 through the English Language Center’s Teen English Academy.

Success Stories

Justine Figueroa's experience exemplifies the transformative impact of LaGuardia's support programs. Justine came to CUNY Start to gain confidence before starting her degree studies. She actively sought support from teachers and advisors, developing a plan for her academic journey. This foundation helped her succeed in college, making the Dean’s List every semester and receiving a Guttman Scholarship. She also became a Peer Advisor, assisting fellow students with program curricula and resources. Justine's success continued at Hunter College, where she completed internships and conducted workshops for incarcerated youth. She plans to continue working to help people through social justice and community organizing.

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