April Mojica has just begun her graduate studies at George Mason University in the M.A. in English Literature.  She lives in in Fairfax County, Virginia, with her teenage daughter, Zuri.  She also plans to take classes at George Washington University, where she works in the Division of Human Resources. Mojica graduated from the CUNY Baccalaureate in 2005, cum Laude and as a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon Academic Honor Society.  In the CUNY Baccalaureate, she designed areas of concentration in World Literature and Writing under the direction of Professor Steven Nardi, English, Medgar Evers College.  She is the recipient of a number of awards including: Competitive Fellowship, Federated Fellow of APARC, Boston University; Medgar Evers College (MEC) Student of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award, 2005; College/Departmental Service Award, English Dept. MEC; Provost’s Distinguished List Award, MEC; and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship.  While she was an undergraduate, she was a presenter at the Uncovering Connections Conference in 2004; a performer for the Women’s Creative Expressions/Center for Women’s Development in 2005; a participant at the ATHGO International Symposium, U.N., 2005; and she organized “On the Soap Box” for the Democracy Project in 2005.

Mojica recently wrote to the CUNY Baccalaureate Program, saying:  “I enjoyed a transformational, wonderful, rich and varied undergraduate career at CUNY (second to none!).  I miss it and long to come back one day soon as a professor.  It was not been a straight shot for me, first obtaining my GED, then my A.A. and finally my BA, but my B.A. was my crowning achievement.   I was the first in my family, on both sides (and I have eight siblings) to get so far academically.  I had exceptional experiences awarded me through Medgar Evers College, CUNY, and the CUNY Baccalaureate Program — a scholarship, a fellowship to Africa, an invitation by Medgar Evers College to be the keynote speaker at their annual gala, a research internship, a job as Editor of Medgar Evers’ student newspaper, even my face on the buses and trains of NYC (Editor’s Note:  Mojica’s image and story were part of a comprehensive CUNY Public Relations campaign).  These were unimaginable honors for me – almost too much to process all at once.  But, process them I did.  Now that all the fanfare is over, and the golden dust has settled and blown away, I am still here with my dreams and drive.

I never miss an opportunity to learn or be inspired, if I can help it. I was just in NYC this weekend for both the 9th Annual National Black Writers Conference (held at Medgar Evers College) and the 21st Anniversary of the International Cross Cultural Black Women’s Studies Institute where I wildly harvested all of the inspirational energy of those varieties to sustain me until next year.  For now I am here in the Midatlantic and have rooted enough to know that Georgetown does National Poetry month up well and will feature some old favorites.

I’ve attached a link to an article written about me by the alternative high school I attended. When the Director of Y.A.L.A (Young Adult Learning Academy, Manhattan Valley) looked up on the train and saw my face on the CUNY poster, he knew that not only had I succeeded in obtaining my GED but was even on the verge of graduating with my B.A. so he wanted an article from me for his current students to read.”

http://www.youthcomm.org/NYC%20Features/April2006/NYC-2006-04-14b.htm

For further information contact Beth Kneller, Deputy Director, 212-817-8238, bkneller@gc.cuny.edu

Prior to applying to the CUNY Baccalaureate, William McCaig was a largely self-taught, moderately successful Information Technology specialist, who had “an aversion to formal educational systems and shunned them whenever possible.”  But in finally deciding to go to college, he said “The scientific arts have always intrigued me for their pursuit of knowledge and truth, as well as the many mysteries that are waiting to be solved.  It is my intention to combine my affinity for technology and my fascination with science into an academic course of study, and eventually a career.  To this end, I am interested in taking courses in computer programming, systems design, biology and chemistry.”  

McCaig was able to accomplish his goals through the individualized CUNY Baccalaureate; he entered in Fall 2003 and designed concentrations in Computer Science and Molecular Biology, taking courses at City, Hunter and John Jay Colleges, under the guidance of faculty mentors Prof. Virginia Teller, Computer Science, Hunter and Prof. Weigang Qui, Biology, Hunter.  During his senior year, his hard work was rewarded with a National Science Foundation Scholarship.  McCaig graduated Magna Cum Laude in June 2007; he is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Genetics at Stony Brook University.  A paper that he wrote with Prof. Weigang Qui was recently accepted for publication in the CDC journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases.”

Having a faculty mentor is central to our Program’s philosophy. He or she must be a full time CUNY faculty member and also teaching at a senior college. Here are a few tips on how to search for a mentor:

1) Ask a professor that you have a class with right now or had in the past. It he/she can’t serve as your mentor maybe they could recommend somebody.    

2) Ask your fellow classmates about faculty members that they have had a positive experience with.

3) Reach out to relevant departments. Try to speak with a faculty advisor from a department that you’re taking courses in.  

4) Research faculty members’ profiles (usually posted on department websites) to find out about their areas of expertise. Match that with your own interest and prepare a list of potential mentors. Contact them via phone or email.

5) Try to schedule a meeting. Come prepared, that is with a list of courses that you think should be included in your AOC.  Be open to guidance and suggestions.

6) During your initial interview, you were given a guide for faculty mentors titled “Partners in Learning”  which you can share with your mentor.  You can direct your potential faculty mentor to the Faculty Mentors section of our website.  He/she may also contact our Academic Director, Dr. Hartswick, at (khartswick@gc.cuny.edu).

From David Morgante (International Crime / Terrorism Studies), graduating June 2008

“I owe great thanks to the CUNY BA Program. Today I received my formal ‘conditional offer of employment’ from the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service. I could be heading off to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as early as this summer.  (I was also recently offered an internship with the Regional Security Officer in Skopje, Macedonia through the State Department, but cannot do both, unfortunately.)  The CUNY BA Program has been nothing less than phenomenal.  I’ve been able to focus in on very unique coursework, and I’ve been able to progress with extreme efficiency.  I couldn’t have made a better decision with my education.”

From Charmaine Lezama, B.A., January 2008 (Holistic Psychology)

“I would like to thank the CUNY BA Program for allowing students such as myself the opportunity to design a degree and create a career based on their personalities and creative talents and abilities. Thank you for doing a great job of being a service for so many students.  I continue to encourage students to enroll in CUNY BA so that they can not only design a career based on their skills, but also based on the changing trends in these times.”

From Michael Kramberg, B.S., September 2006 (Financial Operations)

“For the past 21 years, I have worked at one of New York’s finest community and cultural institutions, the 92nd St. Y.  Now, two years after graduation, I am pleased to let you know that I will be leaving the Y to accept the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Stamford, CT Jewish Community Center where, as a member of the senior management team, I will be responsible for all aspects of the finance, human resources and facility operations departments.  I am very excited to be taking this major step in my professional career, and I am grateful to the CUNY BA Program for having made my college experience so rewarding and so relevant.”

From Shawn Guin, B.S., June 2006 (Health Care Reform / Music)

“I was accepted at several medical schools. I have chosen to attend SUNY Upstate Medical University in the fall. I wanted to thank you and the Program for being so supportive. I was a non-traditional student who went back to school to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. It was very difficult going back to college after being out in the real world, but I took the plunge and did it. When I found the CUNY BA Program I knew that I had found exactly what I needed: a dual concentration degree. I chose Music/Health Care Reform as my areas of concentration. I was able to complete the music degree that I started years earlier at Indiana University and also create a new concentration in Health Care Reform. I knew that if I chose courses I was passionate about, it would make working towards my B.S. exciting and challenging. And as a Thomas W. Smith Fellow, I was able to focus less on working and more on my studies; I am so grateful to have received support from Thomas Smith.

I would add that every single interviewer asked a lot of questions about the Program.  Most, in one way or another, told me that being a Health Care Reform major showed that I am aware of the current situations affecting our current delivery system and that it is important to have a realistic view of it when deciding to become a physician. One interviewer said that I was brave to major in a controversial topic. I know that being a CUNY BA student helped me get the interviews.  I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life.”

This 20th Anniversary CUNY-wide recruitment event will provide the more than 100 private and public sector employers who are participating with the opportunity to recruit from the nation’s largest public urban university.

EVENT: 20th Annual CUNY Big Apple Job Fair

DATE: Friday, April 18, 2008

TIME: Breakfast Reception for Recruiters from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Job Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (No entry after 4:00 p.m.)

PLACE: Jacob Javits Convention Center, River Pavilion & Galleria, 11th Avenue @ 34th Street, Manhattan

Check back for registration details.

http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/2008-festival/

An amazing array of science-related events - lectures, performances, etc. - will be taking place around the city May 29-June 1. 

The Center for Strategic and International Studies and The Howard Gilman Foundation cordially invite you to:

The Cohen-Nunn Dialogues

PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND:
THE CHALLENGES TO AMERICA’S HOMELAND SECURITY

Monday, April 28, 2008
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
New York University - Tishman Auditorium
40 Washington Square South (between MacDougal and Sullivan)

Hosted by
The Honorable William Cohen
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense, and former U.S. Senator (R-Maine)
The Honorable Sam Nunn
Chairman, CSIS Board of Trustees, and former U.S. Senator (D-Georgia)

Welcome:
John Sexton - President, New York University
Introduction:
Admiral James Loy, Former Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Discussants:
The Hon. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
Stephen Flynn, Author, America The Vulnerable
Jessica Stern, Author, Terror in the Name of God

RSVP to Ethan Frish (CUNY BA Student and Gilman Foundation Policy Associate), efrish@gilman.org or 212-408-0432

Wednesday, April 9

Men Can Stop Rape, 12pm – 4pm and 6pm – 7:30pm, TH 105

Sponsored by the Hunter Women’s Rights Coalition (HWRC)

After our successful Bringing In The Bystander training on March 19, you all wanted to know about the “train the trainer” series. Here it is!

Whether or not you attended, please come to this event
TO LEARN THE TOOLS ON HOW TO ENGAGE MEN ABOUT ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN..

A co-ed team of trainers is coming in from Men Can Stop Rape to teach the program to all students, faculty and staff who are interested. Men Can Stop Rape mobilizes male youth to prevent men’s violence against women. They build young men’s capacity to challenge harmful aspects of traditional masculinity, to value alternative visions of male strength, and to embrace their vital role as allies with women and girls in fostering healthy relationships and gender equity. Their holistic Strength Campaign is grounded in the four-level social-ecological model that considers the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. This approach is more likely to sustain prevention efforts over time than any single intervention.

PLEASE COME TO ONLY PART OF THE TRAINING IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE ENTIRE EVENT.

FREE FOOD!

Questions? Contact (917) 843-2186 or wrc-usg@hunter.cuny.edu or stop by TH 309