You are reading

LaGuardia Community College Raises Record $15 Million to Support Students Impacted by COVID

LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City (Photo LaGuardia Community College)

April 6, 2022 By Czarinna Andres

LaGuardia Community College has raised $15 million to help students whose studies were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $15 million comes via a fundraising campaign the college launched last year where it was set the goal of bringing in $10 million, which was needed to unlock a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor.

LaGuardia, which surpassed its $10 million target last month, will deploy the $15 million to help students stay in school and complete their degrees.

Many LaGuardia students come from low-income, immigrant families in Queens that were particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Proceeds of the campaign will benefit as many as 20,000 degree-seeking and workforce-training students through scholarships, paid internships, emergency aid, and other awards.

LaGuardia, which is located on Thomson Avenue in Long Island City, is among the few community colleges in the country that provide scholarships to students in non-credit workforce-training programs.

The funds will also enable NYC residents who lost their jobs during the pandemic to take industry certification courses in construction, healthcare, and technology.

“With $15 million in new resources, LaGuardia Community College can help lead an equitable economic recovery in Queens. For students whose college dreams were derailed by the pandemic, LaGuardia is the place to get back on track,” said LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams.

“We launched this campaign to help our students reap the benefits of earning a college degree or professional certificate, which is more important than ever during these difficult times,” said LaGuardia Community College Foundation Chair Suzie Scanlon Rabinowitz.

Students who receive aid from the LaGuardia Community College are three times more likely to graduate, according to the college.

The college supports students regardless of immigration or citizenship status, full-time or part-time enrollment, or if they’re in a degree or non-degree program.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens Botanical Garden celebrates groundbreaking on new $34 million education center

City officials, elected leaders and Flushing community members helped break ground on a new and long-awaited $34 million education building at the Queens Botanical Garden that will feature six teaching areas for year-round programming.

The Joan N. and Norman Bluestone Education Center will be 14,500 square feet, replacing a smaller educational space. It will have four indoor classrooms, a teaching kitchen, and a solarium where educators can grow and maintain plants for educational purposes.

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.

Western Queens lawmakers back DOT’s 31st Street bike lane redesign

June 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Council Member Tiffany Cabán issued a joint statement voicing strong support for the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed redesign of 31st Street in Astoria, which includes the installation of eight-foot-wide protected bike lanes beneath the elevated N/W subway tracks.