School may be almost over for most city kids, but for a select group of Bronx students, there’s still plenty of

work to do — and they couldn’t be happier.Monroe College recently launched a free

summer Code Academy to give interested area high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about computer coding and programming. For some, the Code Academy will provide their first real exposure to formal computer science instruction.

“Through our new Code Academy, we offer students who want to learn or work on their coding and programming skills a terrific opportunity to do so, and the only thing it costs them is a few hours on a Saturday morning,” said Dr. Nilesh Shah, Dean of Monroe College’s School of Information Technology.

Monroe’s Code Academy held its first session on May 14, welcoming students with all levels of knowledge and experience.

“Some of the students arrived that morning completely new to coding and programming, while others were more advanced and looking for additional learning to take their skills to the next level,” said Dr. Shah. “We structured the Code Academy to allow us to accommodate all skill and experience levels, and it’s working out very well.”

Students enrolled in the Code Academy chose either the web development or app development track. Students signed up

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InsideStudent Leadership Induction 2

Alum of the Month 2

Culinary Success 3

Student Clubs Give Back 4

“What you need to know…at Monroe”

© Monroe College 2016

Monroe College’s Free Code Academy Helps Local Bronx Students Learn About Coding & Programming

to learn about web development will plan and build a completely functional website, while those learning how to build apps in the other track will create a real game that they will ultimately submit to the Apple and Google App Stores.

Dr. Shah noted: “With the launch of the Code Academy, we have a wonderful opportunity to fill a real need in the community by sharing the expertise and resources of the School of Information Technology. It’s a great way to give back to our valued Bronx neighbors who’ve been so supportive of Monroe College these many, many years.”

“The inaugural classes just began a few weeks ago, and it’s clear we’re off to a great start. We’ve had a very strong and encouraging response from students and educators alike,” Dr. Shah said.

On May 5th, the Student Activities Office inducted 81 students into the Monroe College Bronx Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. The induction ceremony, which took place in the Mintz

Auditorium, was well-attended by the inductees, their guests, faculty, and staff.The inductees felt extremely accomplished that they successfully completed the

various steps required to be inducted into this organization. The National Society of Leadership and Success was introduced to the Bronx Campus in 2012, and is the nation’s largest leadership honor society!

Senior Vice President Roberta Greenberg gave the welcoming remarks and congratulated the students on their great achievement. Edith Banks, Director of Student Activities and the chapter advisor, reminded the members that their completion of the membership requirements is only the first step in a larger journey.

Special awards were presented to some of Monroe College’s faculty and staff: Dr. Karenann Carty was presented with an Honorary Membership; the Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Harvey Gilmore; and Dean Ted Goldstein was presented with the Excellence in Service to Students Award.

The Society offers life-changing lectures from the nation’s leading presenters and a community where like-minded, success-oriented individuals come together and help one another succeed. (www.societyleadership.org). The Student Activities Office congratulates all the inductees on this great achievement. Invitations to join the National Society of Leadership and Success will be mailed in September and are based on a students’ academic achievement.

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Student Leadership is Booming at Monroe

Sandrea Flowers graduated from Monroe College as Sandrea Smith in 2000 with her Associate Degree in

Business Administration and in 2014 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

She is currently the Operations Superintendent at the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. As an Operations Superintendent, Sandrea manages a staff

of approximately 123 employees in the planning, organizing, directing, and safe movement of traffic through the Hugh. L Carey Tunnel (formerly known as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel).

Furthermore, Sandrea has always had a love for words and freedom of expression. In 2015 she developed her own marketing strategy and became the owner of a boutique writing agency, Wordsmith Resource LLC. The boutique specializes in all

literary areas, including writing, ghostwriting, editing, publishing consultation, and research services. Sandrea’s mission is to offer knowledge, inspiration and motivation through her services.

Sandrea describes Monroe as being a powerhouse. “Monroe has experienced growth in the past decade. There is a plethora of programs, courses, and staff members available that make the collegiate experience enjoyable and worthwhile”.

Her favorite memory at Monroe was taking Professor Dr. Betty Campbell Darden’s Marriage and Family class. Although she had a very hectic schedule with being a wife, mother and business owner, she was able to express herself and vent about her life experiences in class. “I would advise Monroe College students to stay the course, keep yourself open to opportunities and find a trusted adult (professor, parent, sibling, etc.) to talk to who will allow you to be vulnerable and express how you feel and what you have going on in your life”.

Alum of the Month–June 2016: Sandrea Flowers

On May 12, students from Monroe College Rainbow Alliance participated in the spring 2016 club fair. Rainbow Alliance is the Colleges’

lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) club. The club’s first project was to host a NOH8 Campaign.

The purpose of the NOH8 campaign was to make others aware of the Rainbow Alliance mission, which starts with equality. The members aim to create a respectful, safe, welcoming and accepting environment for all students, faculty and staff regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Students and staff alike who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered often face unjust harassment, discrimination, and bias. The club fair was an opportunity to openly state the mission of the Rainbow Alliance, reach out to those who are curious about the club, and increase awareness of the NOH8 campaign. The club is a great way to meet new people, discuss current issues, and have some fun. The Rainbow Alliance meets every Thursday in room 425 King Hall, on the Bronx Campus.

Rainbow Alliance By Steven S. Hines

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MONROE COLLEGE

Monroe College’s Northeast Regional champion culinary team, led by captain Yudi Torres, earned two gold medals and four silver medals at an American

Culinary Federation (ACF) sanctioned competition hosted by The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Yudi earned a gold medal with a perfect kitchen score for a dish featuring Jamison Farms Lamb; a dish that ACF judge Chef Christopher Tanner, Corporate Chef for Campbell’s soup, stated was the best lamb dish he had ever tasted in a competition. Erika Hernandez also earned a gold medal for a spring inspired cherry dessert. Both Erika (a culinary student competing in pastry) and Yudi (a pastry student and winner of America’s best HS Pastry chef competing in savory) showcased the excellent cross-training they are receiving at Monroe’s Culinary Institute of New York (CINY).

Dejanee Archbold scored a silver medal for a white peach and chocolate pistachio mousse dessert while teammate Hipolito Torres won a silver medal for a grilled pompano dish with a fresh fruit salsa and almond-crusted potato croquettes. Team member Nick Giambrone added to his freshman medal count with a silver medal for a rabbit dish featuring a duo of braised rabbit saddle served with a rabbit “pot pie.” Christina Iarusso added another medal to her impressive collection, scoring a silver medal for a milk chocolate, almond and white chocolate dessert.

The team will be vying for a national title in Phoenix, AZ in July, hoping to add five more medals and a national title to an impressive accomplishment of 631 medals won since 2009.

The Dining Lab and Pastry Kiosk at Monroe College has won The 2016 Idaho Potato Commission Leadership Innovation Award for excellence in student-run

restaurants. The selection committee chose Monroe’s operation based on a survey of programs throughout the nation and was “impressed with our programmatic initiatives and proven results in displaying excellence in a student-run post-secondary foodservice operation.”

Congratulations to Prof. Patrick Hayes, Chef Michael Vignapiano, Ms. Wanda Velazquez and, of course, the students of the School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College. Prof Hayes and Chef Vignapiano will receive the award in Chicago in June at the leadership conference of the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Educators (CAFÉ).

Culinary Success

Dining Lab and Pastry Kiosk Win National Award

Recognizing the needs of an emerging population in its student body, faculty, and staff, Monroe College is designating seven ‘gender neutral’ restrooms on its two

New York campuses. With the beginning of the College’s spring semester on April 29, four restrooms on the Bronx campus and three on the New Rochelle campus were identified with signs indicating ‘Gender Neutral Restroom.’

“We take the needs of all of our students very seriously, whether it be in academics or in their personal lives,” said Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Roberta Greenberg. “We’re collaborating with the College’s Rainbow Alliance to make this convenience available so that all members of the College community feel at home at Monroe.”

Instituting these new conveniences puts Monroe College on the cutting edge of a national trend. In a memo submitted to the Monroe administration, the Rainbow Alliance, an organization of the College’s LGBT community, noted that California recently passed legislation that allowed transgender youngsters to choose their own restrooms in public schools, and in Washington, DC a ‘safe bathrooms’ law requires that single occupancy restrooms be unisex. According to the Alliance, “this will put an end to the constant frustration of students never being able to find a bathroom and of losing instructional time.”

The newly-assigned gender neutral facilities in the Bronx will be in the Admissions area of King Hall, on the first floors of Jerome and Ustin Hall, and on the fourth floor of West Hall. In New Rochelle, they will be on the first floors of Main, Harrison, and Milavec Hall.

Monroe Assigns ‘Gender Neutral’ Restrooms

On May 24 Criminal Justice students Bergite Musaj, Leo Martinez, and Daniela Contreras attended Bronx Day in Albany, NY. They attended a forum on economic development, were present in the

State Assembly chambers as a bill on abandoned property was being debated, and participated in the Bronx Day reception with Bronx community leaders and dignitaries. Also, Ms. Musaj was interviewed by Albanian TV and BronxNet about attending Monroe College and being part of the Bronx Day activities.

Monroe College School of Nursing Joining Forces to Fight the Diabetes Epidemic: On April 30, nursing students Arelie Marcial, Ann-Marie McCreesh, Breanne McKenna, Pamela Medrano, DeAsia Moore and Isabella Lugo, together with Prof. Laura Penalo, participated in one of the largest community outreach events from the American Diabetes Association Expo at the Javits Center. The students did an amazing job promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and coordinating the health screening area. Most importantly, they contributed with their amazing nursing skills and knowledge to help fight the diabetes epidemic in New York City.

News and Notes:

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MONROE COLLEGE

Drama, Honors and ITSA students rolled out of bed early on May 22 to attend the New York on Location All-

Day Street Fair and Celebration at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens.

Led by Professors Brozo, MacDonald, and Troshanoff, the students were treated to behind-the-scenes movie making secrets venturing into some of the 20 production trailers to get up-close views of hair styling, make-up, wardrobe, and an impressive peek into the living quarters of the stars as they film on location.

Weathering the rain and snow — yes they MADE it rain and snow — students watched a death-leap by trained stunt men who scream as they plunge 75 feet downward. Rain drenched the entire street as overhead sprinklers turned a partly sunny day into a downpour. A snow-making machine pumped out blowing flakes despite the 65 degree temperature.

It was wet everywhere as a water truck flooded a fenced-in lot and two cars sped from end to end, screeching tires and sliding into 360 degree turns. The crowd was astonished as the two cars slid to a stop, bumpers just two feet apart!

Inside, the students wandered through the three-floor museum stopping and learning about sound and animation, and gazed at the thousands of star photographs, costumes, and memorabilia on display.

Also on display was old-time equipment, including a plethora of cameras, microphones and reel-to-reel tape decks. Interactive displays included a green screen where you could film yourself and pick a background, use a computer to create a stop-motion film short, and an old Mutoscope — similar to a flip book with a screen — where you could replay King Kong fighting off war planes at the top of the Empire State Building.

Education Club

Seeing the happiness of children is the best reward is what Ramiro Ocasio explained during a recent speech. “Ver la felicidad de los niños es mi mejor

recompense,” expressed Ramiro Ocasio, president of Foundation for Education in Honduras (FEIH). His words resonated with the students of the School of Education. A group of students from the ABC Education Club have worked together to collaborate in supporting FEIH.

Learning about the conditions of the schools in Honduras has helped the Monroe students understand how lucky they are to have been provided with a strong education in a safe environment. Many schools in Honduras lack roofs or bathrooms, have structures that are slowly falling apart, and lack materials students need to learn and progress. The schools are overcrowded and students have to attend school in shifts, missing valuable instructional hours. As future educators themselves, the students knew that they had to do something to create change. Vivian Son, the president of the club, explained that students in Honduras need to know that the world is watching and that they have a supportive friend across the world who believes in them.

The School of Education students have worked to send the students in Honduras motivational letters and cards to encourage them to pursue their educational goals. Recently, several of the students attended a fundraiser to support the organization and its mission. There, they were able to meet the president of the foundation and speak to other cabinet members to share ideas. The message of the fundraiser was that we cannot let the smiles on the faces of the Honduras children disappear.

Museum of Moving Images

On May 20th, club members and the Student Activities Office were on a mission to give back to the

community. The projects, open to the entire College, gave students the opportunity to volunteer their time. The Student Activities Office puts a strong emphasis on civic engagement, and each club on campus is required to do some form of community service.

The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Club for Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) partnered to facilitate a game of BINGO with the residents of University Nursing Home, which is in the vicinity of King Hall. Members of the Allied Health Club also hosted a fun game of BINGO with the residents of Amber Court Assisted Living Home.

In downtown Manhattan, the Student Activities Office partnered with Citymeals on Wheels, which provides a continuous lifeline of nutritious food and human company to homebound elderly New Yorkers. Alexis Ingram, a Criminal Justice major and the President of the Go Make a Difference Club stated, “I delivered a meal to an elderly lady and suddenly she started crying. I asked her what was wrong, and she stated, ‘I rarely have any visitors, I am so grateful that you all took the time to do something good’.”

Members of the Human Services club partnered with Food Bank New York at their community kitchen in West Harlem. The students prepared food for use at the nightly dinner service, which serves up to 500 New Yorkers, and also served a fresh hot meal to senior clients.

The Student Activities Office is pleased to provide opportunities like these as it helps students become positive contributors to society. Participating in these various projects give students the opportunity to display their commitment to helping build the community. It reminds them to appreciate what they have while remaining humble.

Student Clubs Give Back