We Are 1 LaGuardia!
LaGuardia Community College is made up of a diverse body of students, faculty and staff. Each person has their own history and background that feeds into our dynamic working and learning environment. Our college promotes opportunity and learning experiences that are equitable, inclusive and diverse – We are 1 LaGuardia!
On March 14, 2023 LaGuardia Community College hosted a panel discussion featuring community leaders who share their personal stories and promoted the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Special guests included:
- Joyce Moy, Former Executive Director, CUNY’s Asian American/Asian Research Institute
- Rabbi Mira Rivera, Rabbi-in-Residence at the Jewish Community Center in Harlem and the LUNAR Collective
- Dr. Kevin D. Jordan, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence and Chief Diversity Officer, Farmingdale State College
Artwork and Video Competition
As one community, LaGuardia celebrates and nurtures the free expression of each person’s identity, need, and talents. Have you ever wondered who you are? It’s a philosophical question that we’ve all asked ourselves at some time or another. It involves thinking about our own identity and its meaning. LaGuardia hosted an artwork and video competition inviting students, faculty, and staff to answer the question: “Who Are You?” as part of a Campus Climate Project, funded through the City University of New York. This competition gave participants the opportunity to express themselves through art and video in the spirit of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion on the LaGuardia campus.
Submissions were accepted from March 6, 2023–April 7, 2023. Winners will be announced in May. For more information contact Wendy Nicholson, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, at wnicholson@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5140.
TOP WINNER
Tahaliya Thompson
LaGuardia Student
My artwork is about my identity as a neurodivergent black woman in a neurotypical society. It’s also about the stigma and the judgements that I sadly receive from NT people on a daily basis, when I choose to not mask my ND identity, stay true to myself and advocate for myself when I need accommodations.
Kadesha Riddle
LaGuardia Staff
My artwork includes two components. I utilized butterflies because of what they symbolize – growth, endurance, transformation, and evolvement — all of which are important to embracing and cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Butterflies are not only aesthetic, but they are also diverse and indicative of peace, and freedom, and I believe that we, as people, can learn a lot from them and how they transform. Transformation essentially goes hand in hand with diversity. For many years, I focused on the bad aspects that I thought about myself. I wouldn’t accept a compliment from a stranger — and I suffered from extreme anxiety. It was only when I began to figure out who I am that I began to flourish and grow. Therefore, I decided to add labels with positive traits about myself. I realized that low self-esteem is a waste of time and energy. Now, when I ask myself, “Who Am I?’, I can easily say affirming things that benefit my sense of self. When you know who you are, you are freeing yourself from the pressure of other people’s expectations, stereotypes, and labels.
Princess Joy B Decano
LaGuardia Student
“I am who Jesus says I am” came from the concept of His word to his disciples. He said “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and I identify as one of His light of the world, and not the only one. Though, the message doesn’t end there, the book also mentioned, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16). I believe that we all have a purpose given by our Creator and upon my meditation in pondering about what to paint, I came across a thought of lighting up a candle and remembered this verse from the Bible. My mother once told me a lesson to be learned about the power of just one lit candle when I was little. She said, “darkness isn’t found in light, but light can and will always fill in the darkness.” With that said, I thought that it would relate and hoped that it would inspire others to let their light shine. Not for their own selfish agendas, but for the greater good of all people and things. I also hope to share this light with others so that they may be motivated to continue pursuing their careers while devoting themselves to become a better person to create a positive impact to the world.
Isabela Rivera Riascos
LaGuardia Student
Being Korean-born, making it in America, to me, meant living in NYC. I’m so excited to be here. When LAGCC looks me up by my Student ID number, they see I’m a new student, returning to school after time away, pursing Mechanical Engineering. I’m still learning who I am, but I know that learning entails not just being able to provide the correct answer; but being content with asking the right questions themselves. I’m appreciative LAGCC can be that space where I can be unabashedly curious while earning a degree, one question at a time.
Jamila Khanam Chowdury
LaGuardia Student
How does an immature person think about her life? She dreams, but in a reality that doesn’t exists. She tries her best, but others see as failures everywhere. What does happiness or success mean actually? She wonders! She has many questions but with no answer!
Violeta Sabovic and Lina Londono
LaGuardia Students
Francisco Colon
LaGuardia Staff, Communications and External Affairs
Michael Hernandez and Xavier Correa
LaGuardia Students
Elisabeth Allan
LaGuardia Student
Juan Medina-Verdugo
LaGuardia Student
Salina Tamang
LaGuardia Student
Contest Rules and Submission Guidelines
ARTWORK Submissions
- Artwork submissions must answer the question: “Who Are You?”
- Artwork submissions must be created on a 9×12 paper/canvas. NOTE: Paper/canvas and starter kits with crayons are provided by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and can be picked up at the 5th Floor of the E-Building, Room E-513D.
- Artwork submissions can be created by an individual or a team. Only LaGuardia students, faculty and staff are eligible to participate.
- Artwork submissions can be created using a wide range of materials that include, but are not limited to: photographs, crayons, markers, paint, stickers, food, glitter and more.
- Students, faculty and staff can only participate in ONE submission (either individual or team).
- Artwork submissions CANNOT include copyright materials, logos, or brands. Make your work original!
- Artwork submissions CANNOT include any obscene, indecent, or profane language.
- Artwork must include completed submission form that provides a brief description of the artwork and approach.
VIDEO Submissions
- Video submissions must answer the question: “Who Are You?”
- Video submissions can be created using digital video cameras and/or cell phones (using a landscape layout).
- Video submissions can include voice-overs and non-copyright/opensource music only.
- Video submissions cannot exceed one-minute. Videos exceeding 1-minute will be disqualified.
- Students, faculty and staff can only participate in ONE submission (either individual or team).
- Video submissions CANNOT include copyright materials, logos, or brands. Make your work original!
- Video submissions CANNOT include any obscene, indecent, or profane language.
- Videos must include completed submission form that provides a brief description of the artwork and approach.
- Video dimensions should be 1920px x1080px for full view.
Eligibility and Deadlines
PLEASE NOTE: All artwork and video submissions will become the property of LaGuardia Community College and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and will be displayed on the DEI website: https://www.laguardia.edu/dei/.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of LaGuardia, faculty, staff and students; based on aesthetic merit and how well each submission reflects the DEI theme and answers the question: “Who Are You?”