https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/ en https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/noted-researcher-jo-handelsman-delivers-ccnys-cosloy-blank-lecture-dec-4 Pioneering microbiologist Jo Handelsman presents the Ninth Annual Sharon Cosloy - Edward Blank Family Distinguished Scientist Lecture at The City College of New York 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center located on the CCNY campus. Her talk, entitled, "Finding Thor's Hammer: Multiomics search for the driver of microbiome function,” is free and open to the public. Click here to register and for directions. Handelsman is the director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) and a Vilas Research Professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She joined the faculty at UW-Madison in 1985 where she served for 25 years before moving to Yale University in 2010.  From 2014 to 2017, Handelsman served as a science advisor to President Barack Obama in her role as Associate Director for Science in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. After leaving the White House, Handelsman returned to UW-Madison where she continues to work on national policy as well as direct WID and pursue her own research on the soil and human microbiomes. In 2021 Handelsman published A World Without Soil, a book that presents the soil erosion crisis and policy recommendations to avert it.  Her research seeks to understand how microorganisms cooperate with and antagonize each other. She is known for pioneering the field of functional metagenomics. Handelsman has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Obama in 2011. About the Sharon Cosloy - Edward Blank Distinguished Scientist Lectureship  Dr. Sharon Cosloy was a member of the City College biology faculty for 27 years and served as Chair of the Biology Department for six years. She was a beloved mentor, educator, wife and mother and a passionate investigator of life and science. The Professor Sharon Cosloy and Edward Blank Family Distinguished Scientist Lectureship is regarded as the preeminent scientific lecture on campus. The City College of New York is grateful to Edward Blank and his family for their generous support. Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:10:25 -0500 Jay Mwamba /news/noted-researcher-jo-handelsman-delivers-ccnys-cosloy-blank-lecture-dec-4 https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/ccny-discovery-creates-new-possibilities-water-responsive-materials Water-responsive materials exist everywhere in nature, but transforming these natural materials into sustainably sourced high energy engineered materials requires a fundamental understanding of how they work. Now a groundbreaking discovery by City College of New York researchers from the Grove School of Engineering unravels the connection between water and surfaces to engineer water responsive properties. The experts, including chemical engineers Raymond Tu and Xi Chen, mechanical engineer Honghui Yu, and postdoctoral associate Darjan Podbevsek (power and process engineering), determined how water interacts with biomaterials at the molecular level to yield high energy density water responsiveness.    “We eventually aim to use these new high energy density materials to create a scalable alternative energy source. At a smaller scale, water responsive materials can be applied for robotics and smart textiles as well as bioelectronics,” said Tu. Overall, these materials, commonly found in nature, have the potential to revolutionize a range of industries, from robotics and smart textiles to bioelectronics and clean energy generation systems. The CCNY research continues with the team scaling up their work in a National Science Foundation-sponsored cross-disciplinary Convergence Accelerator. “We’re also working on using X-Rays with Brookhaven National Labs to understand the dynamic structural transitions that occurs when relative humidity changes,” Tu added.  “Water-responsive materials that respond to humidity changes are highly promising for use as actuators in robotics and for energy harvesting applications, yet we lack the theories to explain or predict the stress they generate,” said Chen. The water-responsive materials study was published in the journal Nature Communications.  Research was conducted both at the Grove School and the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center located on the CCNY campus.   Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:08:24 -0500 Jay Mwamba /news/ccny-discovery-creates-new-possibilities-water-responsive-materials https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/splendor-silk-and-beyond-brings-international-dress-ccny The Splendor of Silk and Beyond, an exhibition organized by the International Museum of the Saree, the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, and the City College Libraries, among others, brings an intriguing illustration of garments and fashionable accessories that span decades, regions, and cultural identities to the Cohen Library Archives Gallery. The collection includes Asian, South American Caribbean and African apparel.  The opening reception and exhibition viewing occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The garments will remain on view until Dec. 11.  The curators: Ashvini Persaud of the International Museum of the Saree; Shama Mital of the Colin Powell School; Randy Brozen of the CCNY School of Education; and CCNY Archivist Sydney Van Nort, who heads the the City College Division of Archives and Special Collections, were available to answer questions. The attendees met musical and Bollywood legend Artiste Anjali, and Caribbean sensation Terry Gajraj, and listened to a performance of classical Indian music by Ustad Kamal Sabri.   The opening reception concluded with a presentation of selected audio archives of the legendary Ravi Shankar, who taught two courses on the history and theory of Indian classical music at CCNY in the fall 1967 semester.    From the alluring sarees of Banaras, Karnataka and South India to the intricately embroidered bridal wear found in Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill, Bellerose and Long Island shopping centers, each piece tells a unique story of heritage and craftsmanship. The display includes wedding garments, such as contemporary lehengas, sarees, sherwanis, kurtas and headpieces adorned with symbolic accessories such as safa and floral garlands.  An interesting teaser of vintage and cultural sarees from North India, South India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Africa, South America and the Caribbean bring attention to the legacy of traditional and evolving cultural draping styles, and historic fashion designs with contributions from immigrant and diaspora families who hold deep connections to their culture and ancestral roots. These pieces are only a small sampler of geographically sourced pieces complemented by the kimonos and Haroi from Japan.  Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:09:50 -0500 /news/splendor-silk-and-beyond-brings-international-dress-ccny https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/renowned-author-joyce-carol-oates-makes-rare-appearance-ccny Celebrated writer Joyce Carol Oates makes a rare appearance at The City College of New York on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at 6 p.m. in Shepard Hall’s room 95. Oates will be in conversation with Professor Mark J. Mirsky of CCNY’s English department. The event is free and open to the public.   Oates is a recipient of the National Medal of the Humanities, the National Book Critics Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Book Award, and the Jerusalem Prize. She is the author of “Butcher” (Knopf, May 2024), as well as the national bestsellers “We Were the Mulvaneys,” “Blonde,” “The Falls,” “The Gravedigger's Daughter,” and “The Accursed.” She is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities emerita at Princeton University and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.   Mirsky is an award-winning author of 13 books, including fiction, short stories, novellas and essays. He is the founding editor of literary magazine "FICTION" and has been teaching literature and creative writing at CCNY for over 50 years.    The event is sponsored by CCNY’s MFA in Creative Writing’s The David Dortort Fund and the Rifkind Center for the Humanities and Arts. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:35:57 -0500 Thea Klapwald /news/renowned-author-joyce-carol-oates-makes-rare-appearance-ccny https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/first-united-nations-university-hub-us-established-ccny A new United Nations University (UNU) Hub on Remote-Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS) at The City College of New York was announced at a partnership agreement signing ceremony by President Vincent Boudreau and Tshilidzi Marwala, the rector of UNU and under-secretary-general of the United Nations. This Hub, in close partnership with the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), will connect CCNY to UNU’s global research and educational efforts, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international relations, and the advancement of sustainable cities.  The first one of its kind in the U.S., the new UNU Hub is the first one in the world that will be focused on remote sensing and the sustainability problems of complex urban systems. It aims to enhance the adaptability of cities worldwide to climate-related challenges, fostering inclusivity and resilience in urban spaces. This Hub will leverage the university’s strong legacy in science, technology, and urban innovation to serve as a global model for resilient, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban development.  The formation of this Hub will enable active partnership between CCNY and UNU-INWEH, which is based in Toronto. “New York City is an ideal location for a hub dedicated to sustainable urban transformation. This collaboration with CCNY represents a powerful commitment to leverage science and technology to make cities more adaptable and resilient,” said Marwala. “Our partnership with CCNY will not only benefit the city but will also contribute to global urban sustainability efforts through knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly benefiting the Global South.” The UNU Hub will bring together interdisciplinary experts to work on solutions addressing extreme weather impacts, urban water and energy needs, and social inequalities affecting urban communities. The UNU R-SIRUS Hub will operate with three primary pillars: Research and Development; Education and Capacity Building; and Policy and Advocacy. These pillars aim to bridge scientific innovation and policy-making, providing actionable solutions to pressing urban challenges. “Our college has always been especially sensitive to the obligation of public educational institutions to serve the public interest,” said Boudreau. “Over the decades, we have made substantial investments in remote sensing climate change in water and energy systems. This partnership allows us to divest those resources in ways that will be most publicly impactful, and we're thrilled to be doing this work in partnership with UNU.” As the academic arm of the United Nations with 13 institutes in 12 countries, the UNU addresses a range of global development challenges through joint research and education. Its headquarters are based in Tokyo. UNU-INWEH is working on major sustainability issues, dealing with the most pressing water, environmental, and health problems worldwide. UNU-INWEH Director Kaveh Madani emphasized the Hub’s potential for global impact. “This initiative reflects UNU’s commitment to addressing sustainability challenges,” he said. “By combining UNU’s global perspective with CCNY’s localized expertise, the R-SIRUS Hub will serve as a model for other cities around the world.”  "City College has unique scientific strengths in remote sensing but what makes it special is its historic contribution to making education affordable, accessible, and inclusive in the United States,” he added. “We value this success and will work with our colleagues at CCNY to make knowledge accessible globally,"  Madani also acknowledged Canada’s support of the new partnership as the host government of UNU-INWEH, recognizing the potential for this UNU Hub to act as a catalyst for sustainable solutions to climate-related challenges in urban centers.  Ambassador Bob Rae, Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, and the president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), spoke on behalf of his government at the ceremony. "A global climate crisis requires a global response and, in that global response, it's important that we link what is happening globally to what is happening locally," he said. "And I can't think of a better place to do this in the United States than in the city of New York, and there's no place to do it better than at The City College of New York."  The Hub at CCNY will have three research clusters: Emerging Technologies for Earth Monitoring and Remote Sensing of Urban Systems; Climate Change Impacts on Health in Underserved Urban Communities; and Energy Innovations for Sustainable Urban Environments. It also offers CCNY students a range of joint M.S. and Ph.D. programs with UNU in addition to opportunities for short training courses, internships, and certified education programs. The Policy, Advocacy, and Outreach pillar of R-SIRUS will work closely with New York City authorities and international stakeholders to develop policies that promote equitable and sustainable urban transformation. The Hub’s policy-focused activities will address environmental justice issues in underserved communities, contributing to inclusive urban planning. Led by experts from the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, this pillar will focus on translating scientific research into actionable policies that support resilience and sustainability in urban environments globally. Dean Alexander Couzis, and NOAA Chair and Professor Reza Khanbilvardi of the Grove School of Engineering will serve as the executive co-directors of the UNU Hub at CCNY—R-SIRUS. While R-SIRUS’s main office will be at the Grove School, the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education will house a satellite office to maximize reach to working professionals, in addition to researchers and students. Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:55:39 -0500 /news/first-united-nations-university-hub-us-established-ccny https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/historic-harlem-based-theater-group-donates-archival-collection-ccny The oldest Black nonprofit theater in New York state, New Heritage Theatre Group, marks its 60th anniversary with a gift to the Foundation for City College: the donation of its extensive archives to The City College of New York’s Libraries Archives and Special Collections Division.  A mainstay in the community since its 1964 founding as New Heritage Repertory Theater by playwright, set designer, actor and lecturer Roger Furman, NHTG has spawned productions, workshops, and presentations that reflect the historical, social and political experiences of African and Latino descendants in America and abroad. NHTG counts luminaries such as Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Gertrude Jeanette, Rosetta Lenoir and Alice Childress among its many alumni. In 1983, award-winning music and theater producer Voza Rivers took over the company as executive producer, reorganizing it under the name New Heritage Theatre Group. Rivers expanded the mission to provide training, experience and international exposure to veteran and emerging performing artists.  “City College has always been special to me,” said Rivers. He noted that when the company had to vacate its space in Harlem following Furman’s death that year, “CCNY welcomed us with open arms,” providing Aaron Davis Hall for productions that had been brought over from London. The College “not only accepted us, but gave us a residency,” he said. He also brought the cast of the musical Sarafina!, then running at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater, to Davis Hall in 1987. In 1997, Voza and Executive Artistic Director Jamal Joseph – an award-winning writer, director, documentary film maker and educator in his own right — formed IMPACT (I-Inspiration M-Motivation P-Preparation A-Activism C-Commitment T-Teamwork) Repertory Theater, the company’s performing arts division. Once again, CCNY provided space for the fledgling enterprise, which now boasts more than 1,000 alumni. Rivers and NHTG co-founded the Harlem Arts Alliance in 2001. It has since grown from a founding membership of 12 to more than 400 arts and culture members representing all disciplines and areas of the arts. The donation to CCNY includes documents and materials from New Heritage Theatre Group’s affiliate divisions including: Committed Artists | South African Theatre Company (1983); Community Works (1989); Community Works Harlem Is… (1990); Harlem Shakespeare Festival (1991); Harlemwood Film Festival (1997); Harlemwood Records (1997); New Heritage Films (1997); and Impact Repertory Theatre (1997). “The opportunity to house the New Heritage Theater Group's archives within the City College library is immensely attractive,” said President Vincent G. Boudreau. “It marks a milestone in our efforts to position the college as a more vibrant and collaborative neighbor in our Harlem community. The professional preservation of these precious records will capture for future generations a crucial chapter in the cultural heritage of Harlem and its African American artists. We are deeply proud to be in partnership with New Heritage Theater and with Voza Rivers." Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:04:04 -0400 /news/historic-harlem-based-theater-group-donates-archival-collection-ccny https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/ccny-partners-un-system-staff-college-nelson-mandela-project-social-change The City College of New York and the United Nations System Staff College have agreed to partner on the Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change, a pioneering initiative aimed at bridging social and political divides by developing new generations of leaders across the globe. The agreement is a key component of a memorandum of understanding signed by President Vince Boudreau, Richard J. Henley and Susan L. Davis Dean Andrew Rich of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, and UNSSC Director Jafar Javan. The MOU envisions collaboration between the two institutions on joint research projects, the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and designing globally focused training and learning activities around leadership, as well as leadership development programs, internships, academic exchanges and public forums. The Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change is also being created in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, a non-profit that is the primary custodian of Mandela’s name and legacy. A member of the Foundation will be on the Project’s advisory board. “With the world in desperate need of good leadership,” said Foundation Chief Executive Mbongiseni Buthelezi, “this project promises to offer a vital and accessible resource.” UNSSC inaugurated the Nelson Mandela initiative earlier this year in Turin, Italy, bringing together five founding academic partners: the American University of Beirut; Universidad Austral in Argentina: IE University in Segovia, Spain; the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore; and the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. The philosophy of the Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change is anchored in Nelson Mandela’s fundamental leadership insights: promoting a culture of values-based and adaptive leadership, resilience, and empathy, and reflecting a determination to create a genuine and safe dialogue space to foster social change. At CCNY, the project will be based in the Colin Powell School and led by Richard Stengel, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs during the Obama Administration, and a former editor of TIME magazine. In the 1990s, he collaborated with Mandela on the South African’s bestselling autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. That experience was the basis for Stengel's New York Times bestseller, "Mandela's Way." The many hours of taped interviews from that time were the foundation of Stengel’s award-winning 10-part audiobook, “Mandela: The Lost Tapes.”  “Together with our academic partners we want to build a cohort of change makers and provide a learning platform for social change,” said Javan, adding that the project was born out of a visit to the University of Cape Town in 2023 to reflect jointly on the need to bridge social and political divides in a world increasingly affected by polarization. “Through the initiative we will provide spaces for dialogue and consensus building to foster greater participation, which is so much needed for good governance and thriving democracies in light of the global challenges facing humanity today.” “Through the initiative and its Global Academy for Social Change, we will provide access to new approaches and forge networks among likeminded policy makers, development practitioners and young people engaged in initiatives toward social change,” said Simona Costanzo Sow, UNSSC’s chief of academic partnerships. “The Academy will combine leadership dialogues and substantive inputs with interactive workshops and competency labs to combine theory, practice and networking.” “Social change is at the heart of CCNY’s mission, and Nelson Mandela was among the most effective leaders for social change of the last century,” said President Boudreau. “We are pleased to be the institutional anchor in the United States for this important partnership with the UN System Staff College. It is particularly fitting, as CCNY was among Nelson Mandela’s first stops during his inaugural trip to the United States in 1990.” “Nelson Mandela was a transformational figure, and this project represents an extraordinary opportunity to build on his legacy by creating new global opportunities at CCNY that include teaching, research, program building, and leadership development,” said Dean Rich. “It is privilege to work with Jafar Javan and his colleagues at the UN System Staff College on this initiative, and we are thrilled to have Rick Stengel’s leadership at the Colin Powell School.” “Madiba would have loved this idea of creating a new generation of young global leaders who can address intractable problems in new and innovative ways,” said Stengel. “City College and the Colin Powell School are the perfect place to do this in the United States. Producing effective leaders for positive social change is one of the great challenges of our time, and I’m honored and humbled to lead this effort inspired by Mandela's own heroic journey."  About the United Nations System Staff College Since its inception in 2002, the UN System Staff College has continuously adapted to respond to the learning, training and knowledge management needs of UN staff and relevant partners. Established as an inter-agency learning institution, UNSSC has become a strategic partner to a wide network of stakeholders across the globe. Each year UNSSC offers over 260 programmes to over 84,000 professionals. Whether online, face-to-face, or a combination of both, the Staff College’s learning solutions deliver high-quality learning experiences that support professionals along their learning journeys.  About the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership Established in April 2013, the Colin Powell School is home to the social science departments at CCNY as well as the core leadership development and public service programs of the College. With almost 4,000 students, and graduating the most CCNY students annually, the Colin Powell School mission is to transform the nation’s most diverse student body into tomorrow’s global leaders. Half of our students are immigrants; most come from lower income backgrounds. More than seventy percent are first-generation college students, and eighty percent are people of color. The Colin Powell School and City College remain among the most effective engines of economic and social mobility in the United States. The School is led by a faculty dedicated to the highest standards of research and to the university’s democratic and public obligations. Read more about the Colin Powell School. Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:31:07 -0400 /news/ccny-partners-un-system-staff-college-nelson-mandela-project-social-change https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/waymo-enhances-autonomous-vehicle-training-curriculum-ccnys-utrc-member-bcc Waymo, the world’s leading autonomous driving technology company, is partnering with the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at The City College of New York to develop and enhance an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) training curriculum at Bronx Community College's Automotive Technology Program. This initiative aims to prepare the next generation of automotive technicians for the rapidly evolving field of autonomous vehicles. This partnership will fund the development of an enhanced autonomous vehicle (AV) training curriculum, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving automotive industry and contribute to the growing AV workforce. Dr. Camille Kamga, Grove School of Engineering professor and the director of UTRC and SEMPACT, emphasized: "As the USDOT Region 2 University Transportation Center, UTRC's Center for Social and Economic Mobility for People and Communities through Transportation (SEMPACT) is uniquely positioned to facilitate this partnership. This AV training curriculum bridges cutting-edge technology with practical workforce development, addressing real-world challenges in our communities." “Waymo is committed to supporting educational and workforce development initiatives that prepare young people to succeed in the growing autonomous and electric vehicle industries,” said Waymo Vice President of Engineering Satish Jeyachandran. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Bronx Community College and the CUNY UTRC to provide hands-on experience with autonomous technology, and create new opportunities for the next generation of automotive professionals.” This collaboration between Waymo, UTRC, and Bronx Community College (BCC) aligns with The City College of New York’s mission as the lead institution for the USDOT's University Transportation Center (UTC) program in Region 2. UTRC's SEMPACT received $15 million from USDOT to support research in areas including inclusive advanced technology applications and workforce development. “I am excited to see this groundbreaking partnership between the world’s leading autonomous driving technology company and the University Transportation Research Center at The City College of New York,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “This collaboration will enhance the Autonomous Vehicle training curriculum at Bronx Community College's Automotive Technology Program, preparing our students for the future of the automotive industry. By equipping the next generation of automotive technicians with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving field, we are not only investing in our youth but also contributing to the growth of the autonomous vehicle workforce. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to innovation and workforce development in the Bronx.” "Investing in emerging technologies and workforce development is key to preparing our community for the jobs of the future. This partnership between Waymo, Bronx Community College, and the University Transportation Research Center at CCNY is a major step in providing our students with the skills needed to succeed in the autonomous vehicle industry. The enhanced training program will not only open doors for Bronx students but will also strengthen our local economy by expanding job opportunities," stated New York State Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. "It is crucial for transportation regulators to embrace innovative safety-oriented technologies like automated vehicles as part of a carefully planned scaling of services. Retraining for-hire and taxi drivers, and welcoming new talent into the workforce will ensure a smooth transition that creates new career opportunities. This new AV workforce development curriculum at BCC is a great start to preparing for and managing innovation with social responsibility," said Matt Daus, former NYC TLC commissioner and UTRC transportation technology chair. The program will be housed at BCC's Patterson Garage, which recently underwent a $9 million upgrade funded by the Governor's Office of NY. This state-of-the-art facility now offers courses in electronics, fuel systems, transmissions, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicle systems, and more. Clement Drummond, director of Automotive Technology at BCC, envisions a transformative future through this collaboration: "From safety procedures to advanced diagnostics, our program already provides comprehensive automotive training. Now, through this groundbreaking partnership with Waymo, we're creating a unique ecosystem where industry meets education. While our students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technologies, Waymo's technical workforce benefits from our specialized curriculum. As the only program of its kind within CUNY, we're not just training technicians – we're preparing the next generation of autonomous vehicle specialists who will shape the future of transportation." For more information about this partnership, contact: Ashley Arocho (CUNY The City College of New York) at aarocho@ccny.cuny.edu , or Richard Ginsberg (CUNY Bronx Community College) at Richard.Ginsberg@bcc.cuny.edu . About the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC): CCNY's University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) leads the USDOT Region 2 UTC, which includes New York State, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. UTRC focuses on research in transportation decision-making, advanced technology applications, climate-resilient infrastructure, and green supply chains, as well as education and workforce development.   Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:50:08 -0400 Ashley Arocho /news/waymo-enhances-autonomous-vehicle-training-curriculum-ccnys-utrc-member-bcc https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/us-state-dept-names-ccny-2024-fulbright-hsi-leader The City College of New York is a Fulbright HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Leader for the fourth year running. Since 2021, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has recognized select HSIs for their strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Fulbright HSI Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and encourage administrators, faculty, and students at HSIs to engage with Fulbright on campus.  The Fulbright HSI Leaders Initiative also highlights the strength of HSIs as destinations for international students and scholars.  The City College was also highlighted in 2023, 2022, and 2021. The other 50 recognized colleges and universities include seven associate colleges, five baccalaureate colleges and special focus institutions, 10 master’s colleges and universities, and 29 doctoral universities.  The latest Fulbright HSI Leaders were announced during the International Plenary Session of the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, commended the 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders for their support of the Fulbright Program. Weinhold said, “Fulbrighters from HSIs contribute to the Program’s goal of reflecting the full diversity, perspectives, and talents of the American people.”   CCNY President Vincent G. Boudreau said: “City College students come from around the world to live in New York and study on our campus. This makes them extraordinary representatives and global citizens when they travel the world as Fulbrighters. We’re tremendously proud of our students and know how deeply they will benefit from this program as Fulbrighters have for generations.” Recent Fulbrighters at CCNY have included: Social historian Margo Groenewoud, scholar-in-residence from the University of Curaçao;  Aisha Fuenzalida Butt, BA anthropology, Class of 2021; Daniel Hila, BA political science, Class of 2020; Cassiady Perard, BA English literature, Class of 2020;   Katherine J. Scardino, BA psychology, Class of 2022;  Hans-Joerg Moderegger, Arts, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Class of 2025; and Patricia Reilly, communication and journalism, Fulbright Specialist Roster, Class of 2026.  Jennifer Lutton is Fulbright Program Advisor at CCNY. To apply for a Fulbright at CCNY, email her at jlutton@ccny.cuny.edu . Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and in all fields with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad.  Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex address global challenges.  Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. The Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect all aspects of the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. In addition to HACU, the Fulbright Program also cultivates relationships with external stakeholders, including the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Diversity Abroad, UNCF, the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Mobility International, among many others.  Learn more about Fulbright at www.fulbrightprogram.org, including Fulbright’s commitment to DEIA within the program and about how HSIs engage with Fulbright. Follow the Fulbright Program’s social media accounts and websites for highlights on HSIs and Fulbright: •    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fulbright •    X: https://x.com/FulbrightPrgrm •    Instagram: http://instagram.com/the_fulbright_program •    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fulbright Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:06:01 -0400 Jay Mwamba /news/us-state-dept-names-ccny-2024-fulbright-hsi-leader https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/spitzer-students-design-mobile-learning-workstation-local-childrens-hospital-through-aias Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture students at The City College of New York under the advisement of Adjunct Professor Steve Preston designed a mobile learning workstation for a local children’s hospital. This work was completed as part of Freedom by Design (FBD), a community service program sponsored by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), that aims to solve everyday problems with modest design and construction solutions. The student team included Juan Giraldo (director), Gildalis Torres (historian), Mouhamadou Dieng (construction manager), Evelyn Krutoy (construction editor), and Miriam Perel (treasurer). The students were tasked with designing a cart for the hospital to facilitate hands-on education for parents. On a visit to the hospital, they recognized that the educators relied on tote bags to carry supplies between units and struggled to find family-friendly spaces for interactive teaching. In response, the students designed a mobile workstation to function as both a transport vessel and learning platform. The station features several large drawers for equipment storage and a flat top surface for simulation-based teaching. The colorful exterior complements the pediatric unit’s subway décor theme and adds a playful touch to learning sessions. Freedom by Design is the AIAS community service program in partnership with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and uses the talents of architecture students to impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions. FBD encourages students to serve their communities by addressing issues with design solutions and provides real-world experience through working with clients, learning from local licensed architects and contractors, and experiencing the practical impacts of architecture and design. The program embraces efforts to provide both design-build and engagement solutions to address five barriers: physical, educational, environmental, socio-economic and cultural. The team has worked on the project since summer 2023. They have been designing and building the cart while periodically meeting with the hospital team, and this summer they finished construction and handed off the cart.⁠   Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:18:03 -0400 Ashley Arocho /news/spitzer-students-design-mobile-learning-workstation-local-childrens-hospital-through-aias