Spring 2011 Issue - Lehman College

Community Outreach
Community Outreach: A Vital, and Growing, Part of Lehman’s Mission
For more than two decades, Lehman has embraced its work within the community as a vital part of its mission and
continually expanded its reach to include schools at every level, from pre-k through high school, businesses, healthcare
facilities, and many other kinds of institutions and organizations affecting the life of the borough and region.
On campus alone, the College’s cultural and athletic facilities—as well as the College Now program for high school
students—attract 400,000 visitors each year. Here is just one example of the work that was underway in 2010.
Program at Bronx High School Focuses on Freshmen
An after-school program started by Lehman at the
Pelham Preparatory Academy is helping eighty
freshmen stay on track for college. The Transition
to High School program is funded under the
Out-of-School-Time initiative of the City’s Department
of Youth and Community Development and
is based at the school, located on the Christopher
Columbus Campus.
“These are students we want to track throughout
their high school career to prepare them
for college,” says Traci Palmieri, director of the
after-school program, who works in the Center for
School/College Collaboratives at Lehman.
Students attend the program after school, Monday
through Thursday, for two-and-a-half hours a day, taking part in
Homework Help, where they work with tutors in subjects such as
math and science. They also get advice from a pair of counselor/
advocates about adjusting to high school, preparing for college,
and other issues. By maintaining good grades and a serious approach
to their academics, students can earn extra credit toward
their high school diplomas. About a dozen students also attend
twice-a-week Hip-Hop classes, where they work on moves they
demonstrate at the high school’s talent show.
“When they called me and told me about the program, the first
thing I said was, ‘Where do I sign up?’” said Jane Aronoff, principal
A hip-hop class prepares for the
school’s talent show.
of the Pelham Preparatory Academy. “I absolutely
love this program because it’s helping my
students.”
The program actually began over the summer. For
four weeks in July, sixty-five incoming high school
freshmen attended a bridge program at Preparatory
Academy, where they had the opportunity to
earn up to three high school credits. In the fall,
they came to Lehman each Saturday for all-day
classes. Besides enjoying a free breakfast and
lunch, they took courses in personal finance, public
speaking, and nutrition. The goal of the program is
100 percent promotion of program participants to
tenth grade.
“The Transition to High School program is unique because it focuses
on individual progress and academic achievement, and includes
a role for a counselor/advocate,” said Jeanne B. Mullgrav, commissioner
of the Department of Youth and Community Development,
when she visited the school in December. “Early results show that
this program, which targets freshmen—who are shown in national
research to be at the greatest risk for dropping out—and with its
cohort structure, is working. We are seeing grade promotion and
credit accumulation at higher rates for program participants than
their peers at the same school.”
Awards (continued from page 37)
The Bronx SBDC: Helping the
Borough’s Businesses
Bronx Small Business Development Center
Director Clarence Stanley (right) was
recognized last year for the Center’s work
in helping to drive economic success in
the borough. From 2000 through 2010,
the Center, which is located on the
Lehman campus, counseled 7,413 clients and conducted
419 workshops or seminars with 9,495 attendees, helping to
invest over $80 million in the area’s economy, which resulted
in 2,489 jobs being saved or created. The recognition was
part of the First Annual Business Luncheon sponsored by the
Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
CUNY-TV’s Nueva York, co-hosted by Professor Patricio
Lerzundi (Journalism, Communication, and Theatre) was
recognized with three New York Emmy Awards. This is the third
year in a row the program has been recognized.
Professor Miguel Pérez (Journalism, Communication, and
Theatre) was awarded a Campeones de Nuestra Communidad
Lifetime Achievement Award from Latinos in Information Sciences
and Technology Association.
Professor Gerardo Piña-Rosales (Languages and Literatures)
received two awards at the annual Latino/Hispanic Book Fair in
New York City: a commendation from the New York State Senate
and the renaming of a school auditorium in his honor.
Senior Eric Reyes was named Student of the Year at the New
York State Social Work Education Association’s annual conference
in Saratoga Springs.
Lehman Today/Spring 2011 39