Reflections requested and collected by Michele Piso Manoukian, and compiled by Jesse Wolfe, both of the LaGuardia Center for Teaching and Learning, November 2018.
“The Humanity conference was a whole new experience for me. It was the first time that I was part of something like this. I have a lot of fun meeting new people from different states. I got the chance to talk with a few of them while I was taking them to their conference’s room. They were very interested in asking my experiences as a student and some of the struggles that I face. They also talk about the different challenges that their students face in their states. I also got the chance to be part of one if the sections called “from Diversity to inclusion.” Different student population shares their experiences and their struggles they face for their gender, race or academic status. I never thought that others students feel the same way as I do in many aspects. They also talk about how LaGuardia has different clubs and programs that best fit our own needs. Since that day I understand that we as students are not alone at LaGuardia. Finally, I was taking a group of people back to their hotel, and I got the chance to spoke with a professor from Texas. He was the one who initiates the conversation. He was telling me how a student from Texas faces the language and culture barriers. That conversation took me back to my high school memories because I encountered the same struggles. I told him some of the things that I did to overcome all those barriers, and he gave some advice too. I want to thank all of the people who put this event together because I am sure that for others was a great experience as well.”
“I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me into this life-altering experience. It was an honor. When I stated in Baruch College, I felt embarrassed because I graduated from Community College. Through the plenary that I went, I realized that I am actually more than my peers’. My courage and strength has made me sit and compete with them. I tasted success. The success I have-I owe it to all my mentors. They have believed in me more than I ever could believe in myself. LAGCC has providing me with a lot of support and mentorship from faculty, staff and other peers. They invest and implement all the goods in me that just make me hungry for more and shape me into a better being-a student and a future leader.”
“My experience at the Humanities Alliances event was the best conference I have ever attended. I have attended conferences before but it was for school purposes such as presenting or attending a presentation. To be able to play a role as a Liaison at the registering desk and to be a transit liaison for those who are not familiar with New York City was very nice. I felt like I was in charge and trusted to bring these people safely back to their hotel. I welcomed tons of people at the Grad Center and at Laguardia who traveled a long way to attend the 2 day conference. Everyone were very friendly to each other and the best part was working as a group. We all helped each other to make the best out of it and it worked. It was worth it. I also attended a few programs and they were very informative and very well explained at the Graduate Center. At Laguardia, I attended a talk session and a play which I thought were very good. The talk (Diversity to Inclusion) mostly focused on students’ experiences. It felt like it was our chance to speak up and say what faculty/staff should do for students or should not do. The play, I loved! I plan on going to watch the entire thing next month and support them. They worked very hard on it. I would have never known about it if it was not for the program listed on the agenda. I love conferences like this and I am glad that I was able to be a part of it. I hope that I will be involved in other conferences in the future.”
