Student Assistance - LaGuardia Community College - CUNY

From the Office of Student Affairs
Welcome to LaGuardia Community College!
Michael Baston,
Acting Vice President
“Of journeying the benefits are many: the freshness it bringeth to the heart, the seeing and hearing of
marvelous things, the delight of beholding new cities, the meeting of unknown friends, and the learning
of high manners.”
-- Muslih-uddin Sadi
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to
the start of the Fall 2011 semester at LaGuardia
Community College. For those who are new to
LaGuardia, this is the start of an adventure in
your educational journey. It is one that I hope
will be filled with experiences that motivate you
to expand your mind, exchange ideas with new
friends and explore the possibilities, programs
and services offered at LaGuardia.
Welcome back returning students! The hard
work, dedication and commitment that enable
you to graduate and make a difference in the
world await you. I trust that you are fired up and
ready to go. Together we can introduce the newest
members of our family: students, faculty and staff,
to the caring LaGuardia community.
Whether you are a new or continuing student,
the start of the academic year is always an
opportunity to recreate yourself. In the past there
may have been things that in hindsight you would
have done differently: studying more, seeking
tutoring, joining a club or making new friends.
Put those on your to do list this term. Maybe you
have been out of school for a while and feel a little
anxious about returning; talk with an advisor or
visit our tutoring centers. Don’t sit in silence
without direction. What you will find at
LaGuardia are faculty and staff who truly put
students first. We want you to succeed and to
accomplish your goals while earning your degree.
We will all work together to ensure that you will
be able to make the most of this experience.
On a somber note, this September marks the
10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I’m sure that
if you reflect on the past 10 years, you will find
that so much, yet so little has changed. While
there will be remembrance activities on campus
and throughout the city, I ask that you take a
moment to honor those who passed on that
tragic day and those who have passed as a result
of the chain of events that were sparked on that
day. It is my sincerest hope that any of you who
have lost loved ones have found some form of
solace and peace.
Because it is still impossible to make sense of
these horrific attacks, it might be best to focus on
making the most of our present and laying a solid
foundation for a better future. One thing we can
all do is ask ourselves how we can contribute to
making this world a better place. During this
semester and throughout all of your time at
LaGuardia, recognize that you are not just
earning a degree; you are taking steps to
becoming an even greater member of society.
Since this is no easy feat, the College
community is here to guide, support and
challenge you every step of the way. To that end,
I offer you some sound advice that I believe will
be particularly valuable for you as you embark on
your mission. Dr. Stephen R. Covey, in his widely
celebrated book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People,” speaks of how every person can truly
control his or her destiny. It is my hope that the
first three habits will influence your approach to
all your endeavors.
Habit 1: Be Proactive. This is the habit of
doing, rather than waiting. Being proactive means
you recognize that you are responsible for your
own life. That does not only mean facing reality;
you must also recognize that you have the power
to make positive decisions. In essence, you must
have a personal vision.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. This is
the habit of having a clear goal from the start.
Whatever you set your mind to can be
accomplished if you stick to a plan. You must set
milestones so that you can chart your progress.
In order to get in the habit of planning, begin
with a daily “to do” list.
Habit 3: Put First Things First. This is the habit
of not neglecting the “important” for the “urgent.”
Managing your time is critical to success. Many
students have competing priorities: life, work and
family obligations. Always remember that your
education is the passport for your future. The
more you have, the more you’ll earn, and you’ll be
putting yourself in the best position to take care
of yourself and your family. Your educational
journey is a personal journey; you must have the
heart and courage to engage the senses, expand
your personal boundaries, meet new people and
be open to learning new things. Having a personal
vision and a plan will help you tremendously at
LaGuardia and beyond.
Once again, welcome and Godspeed!
LaGuardia Community College
1964 – The Master Plan of the City
University of New York (CUNY) calls for
the establishment of four new community
colleges as the burgeoning Civil Rights
Movement challenges racial stereo-types and traditional
ideas about access to higher education.
Watch for the next issue of
Student News in October 2011!
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The Division of Student Affairs Newsletter for Students