By Bill Parry
LaGuardia Community College is set to launch an advertising campaign in the coming weeks to encourage adults of all ages looking to pursue their higher education to explore all that the school has to offer.
The school offers 52 majors, a variety of certificate programs, affordable tuition and financial support resulting in 93 percent graduation without student debt.
“With more and more jobs requiring not just a high school diploma but a college degree as well, the value of higher education has never been stronger,” LaGuardia President Dr. Gail O. Mellow said. “We want Queens residents, as well as people throughout the city, to know that affordable, high-quality, convenient, flexible option is available at LaGuardia Community College in the dynamic neighborhood of Long Island City.”
The student-led “Dare” campaign was created and produced together with LaGuardia students and faculty from the highly regarded commercial photography program.
“While the people in our ads may look like models or actors, in fact they are our students,” Susan Lyddon, LaGuardia’s vice president for institutional advancement, said. “We can’t possibly find better models than our students; they are the best advocates and representatives of our college. They have first-hand experience with the many opportunities and support services offered by our dedicated faculty and staff, including support services and scholarships, to help students get on track towards a higher education degree.”
And the nearly 50,000 student body represents the borough’s diversity as well, school officials say, representing more than 150 countries and speaking over 125 native languages.
One of the ads features 23-year-old Queens resident Walkis Ynoa. In 2010, she moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States to pursue her education.
“When I came to New York, I didn’t know how to speak English, and through the CUNY Language Immersion Program at LaGuardia, I learned English and was able to enroll and pursue my associate’s degree in business administration,” she said. “I want others looking for a similar opportunity to know about LaGuardia’s many programs, including support services and scholarships, to help students get on track towards a higher education degree.”
After graduating from LaGuardia, Ynoa has been studying towards a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at Baruch College, where she expects to graduate this summer.
“LaGuardia gave me a chance to get closer to my dreams and goals,” she said. “And I’m so grateful.”
LaGuardia alumnus Kristian Larrota was a campaign photographer along with Gianni Sanchez, who will graduate this year with an associate’s in commercial photography, and Carlos Friere, who went on to pursue a master’s in film at City College, CUNY.
“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to use the skills I gained through the commercial photography program here at LaGuardia, to help increase awareness of LaGuardia Community College,” Larrota said. “We chose images that highlight our diversity using frames that illustrate our students’ focus and determination.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
