LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a City University of New York (CUNY) institution, has been awarded a significant two-year grant of $465,509 from the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation. This generous grant will substantially support and enhance the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program, an initiative designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experience for today’s dynamic job market.
The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia has been strategically developed since 2020 to align with the ever-changing demands of the labor market. The program’s core mission is to ensure students are not only academically prepared but also possess the practical skills highly sought after by employers in their respective fields. Fellows benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that includes three professional development sessions each semester, emphasizing civic engagement through service-learning activities, and personalized guidance through bi-monthly meetings with program advisors. These sessions cover crucial professional skills such as financial literacy, teamwork dynamics, effective communication, leadership development, industry-specific insights, ethical conduct, conflict management, and public speaking proficiency.
Pooja Joshi, Executive Director of the Elmezzi Foundation, highlighted the program’s impact on first-generation college students, stating, “The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program is vital in broadening the horizons of first-generation college students, providing them with invaluable exposure to professional landscapes 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 commitment to fostering a vibrant community supported by a thriving workforce.”
Dr. Jessica Perez, Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development, emphasized the tangible advantages for participating students. “Elmezzi Career Fellows acquire crucial real-world experience that significantly enhances their career prospects. The program empowers them to pursue careers with greater earning potential and opportunities for advancement through targeted skill development, valuable networking connections, robust resume building, in-depth industry knowledge, access to job opportunities, understanding of salary expectations, and continuous professional development.”
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, LaGuardia Community College plans 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 Elmezzi Career Fellows Program requires students to reside in Queens County and be in their first semester at LaGuardia. The program’s structure includes intensive preparation for internship experiences through specialized workshops, accessible online training modules, comprehensive career exploration resources, dedicated academic support, and mentorship opportunities. Following this preparation phase, students are carefully matched with employers based on their skills, interests, and career aspirations, ensuring a mutually beneficial internship placement.
The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program distinguishes itself by offering continuous support throughout the internship journey. Fellows benefit from specialized training sessions and dedicated guidance both before and after their internship placements, maximizing their learning and professional growth.
“A key aspect of the program’s unique support system is its focus on providing stackable skill-building workshops and industry-recognized micro-credentials that are highly valued by employers,” Perez explained. “The professional development curriculum addresses essential workplace competencies, including conflict resolution, effective time management, providing and receiving constructive feedback, mastering verbal and non-verbal communication, strategic networking techniques, and impactful resume writing. Furthermore, fellows gain valuable insights into diverse professional roles, enabling them to refine their career focus and identify their desired field.”
Elmezzi Career Fellows engage in 12-week internships, dedicating 10 hours per week during Fall and Spring sessions. Upon successful completion of their semester-long internship, fellows are strategically positioned for further career advancement through placement in either the CUNY Career Launch program, a 6-week paid summer internship initiative, or the SOAR Experiential Learning Program, providing continued experiential learning opportunities.
Through participation in the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program, students accumulate over 200 hours of invaluable professional workplace experience within a single year. These experiences take place at a diverse range of companies and organizations aligned with their chosen career paths. Participants also receive compensation for their semester-long 12-week internships, earning $16.50 per hour, with an increase to $17 per hour planned for Spring 2026, recognizing their contributions and commitment.
The program has established partnerships with a wide array of employers, including 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, demonstrating the program’s broad industry connections and the diverse opportunities available to its fellows.
The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation’s mission is centered on empowering individuals to lead independent and productive lives by supporting programs that address barriers related to environment or circumstance. These challenges may encompass physical, medical, economic, or educational factors. The Foundation is committed to making a direct and measurable positive impact on individual lives through strategic sponsorship and the development of innovative programs. More information can be found at elmezzi.org.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens, offers a wide range of academic opportunities, including over 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, as well as more than 65 continuing education programs. These programs are designed to prepare New Yorkers for seamless transfer to senior colleges and to embark on rewarding careers. As part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, LaGuardia embodies the legacy of its namesake, former NYC Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, renowned for his advocacy for underserved communities. Since its inception in 1971, LaGuardia Community College has been instrumental in advancing the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, New York City, and beyond through its comprehensive academic programs and robust support services.
