LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (July 18, 2024) — LaGuardia Community College, a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, has been awarded a significant two-year grant of $465,509 from the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation. This funding will bolster the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program, an initiative designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in today’s dynamic job market.
The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College has been meticulously crafted since its inception in 2020 to remain at the forefront of labor market trends. The program’s curriculum is continuously updated to ensure students are gaining skills that are directly applicable and in high demand across various industries. Fellows in the program benefit from a comprehensive approach, participating in professional development sessions throughout their internship semester. These sessions are designed to foster civic engagement through service-learning activities and provide consistent guidance with bi-monthly advisement meetings led by the program coordinator. Key areas of focus within these professional development modules include essential life skills such as financial planning, effective teamwork, communication strategies, and leadership development. Furthermore, the program delves into industry-specific trends, professional ethics, conflict resolution techniques, and public speaking proficiency, ensuring well-rounded preparation for the professional world.
Pooja Joshi, Executive Director of the Elmezzi Foundation, emphasized the program’s alignment with their core values, stating, “The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program directly supports first-generation college students by providing crucial exposure to professional opportunities as an integral part of their higher education journey. We are thrilled to strengthen our collaboration with LaGuardia Community College, an institution that shares our vision for a vibrant community supported by a robust and skilled workforce.”
Dr. Jessica Perez, Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development, highlighted the tangible advantages for participating students. “Through the Elmezzi Career Fellows program, students gain invaluable experience that significantly enhances their career prospects. This includes increased earning potential and opportunities for career advancement, all achieved through targeted skill development, strategic networking, resume enhancement, in-depth industry insights, access to job opportunities, understanding salary expectations, and comprehensive professional development.”
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, LaGuardia Community College is set to welcome new cohorts of 35 to 45 students each Fall and Spring semester. Expanding the program’s reach, an additional cohort of 10 students will be included during the Spring II semesters of 2025 and 2026. Eligibility for the program is focused on students residing in Queens County who are in their first semester at LaGuardia. The program’s preparatory phase is thorough, encompassing workshops, online training modules, career exploration resources, academic support systems, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to ensure students are well-prepared for their internship experiences. Following this robust training, students are carefully matched with employers based on their skills and career interests, ensuring a mutually beneficial internship placement.
The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program is distinguished by its commitment to providing continuous support and opportunities to its fellows, both before and after their internship placements. Dr. Perez further elaborated on the program’s unique offerings: “A key focus of the program is to provide cohort members with stackable skill-building workshops and micro-credentials, which are highly valued and actively sought after by employers. The professional development curriculum addresses essential workplace competencies such as managing conflict, effective time management, providing and receiving constructive feedback, mastering verbal and non-verbal communication, and developing effective networking strategies, as well as refining resume writing skills. Crucially, fellows also gain exposure to a diverse range of professional roles, enabling them to refine their career aspirations and focus on their desired fields.”
Elmezzi Career Fellows undertake 12-week internships, working 10 hours per week during Fall Session I & II, and Spring Session I & II. Upon successful completion of their semester-long internship, fellows are strategically placed in either the CUNY Career Launch program, a six-week paid summer internship initiative, or the SOAR Experiential Learning Program, further extending their practical experience.
Through a combination of academic year and summer internship opportunities, Elmezzi Career Fellows accumulate over 200 hours of professional workplace experience within a single year. These experiences are with reputable companies and organizations aligned with their chosen career paths. Participants also receive financial compensation, earning $16.50 per hour for their 12-week semester internships (with an increase to $17 per hour planned for Spring 2026), totaling 120 hours of paid work experience per semester.
The program has established strong partnerships with a diverse range of employers across various sectors. Past employer partners include organizations such as Priority Cares, United Jewish Council of the East Side, V-Elms, Richard Rosario Photography, Astoria Films, DNDI, Bardone, Juniper Industries, Former Eye Care Center, Beverly Home Care, and Chinese Methodist Center Corporation, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to Elmezzi Career Fellows.
• • • •
About The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation: The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that offer direct assistance to individuals who face barriers to leading independent and productive lives due to environmental or circumstantial challenges. These challenges may encompass physical, medical, economic, or educational factors. The Foundation aims to create a tangible and positive impact on individual lives through strategic sponsorship and the development of innovative programs. For further details, please visit elmezzi.org.
About LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC): LaGuardia Community College, a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution within the CUNY system, is located in Long Island City, Queens. The college offers a wide array of academic options, including over 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs. These programs are designed to prepare New Yorkers for seamless transfer to four-year colleges and to embark on rewarding careers. Reflecting the values of its namesake, former NYC Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the college is dedicated to serving underserved populations. Since its founding in 1971, LaGuardia Community College has been a vital resource for advancing the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, New York City, and beyond.
