ASAP

Leslie Camacho is a dedicated college administrator with the extraordinary talent for managing multiple projects, and building bridges between people across campus. She is currently the Interim Director of The Accelerated Studies in Associate Program (ASAP) at LaGuardia Community College CUNY, aka The World’s Community College.

Leslie, who grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, has worked primarily within higher education since 1993 specifically within The City University of New York (CUNY), and encourages a multicultural, multigenerational, and multi-socioeconomic environment. Being multilingual (English and Spanish) and a first generation American in the U.S, she epitomizes the majority of CUNY students and acts a role model empowering them through the power and potential of education.

Leslie is a CUNY alumnus from Hunter College CUNY with a BA in Anthropology with honors. She has cultivated her interest in culture, and career exploration, by earning a Masters of Science in Education, also with honors, from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, and earning a 12 credit extension in Bilingual and Multicultural Counseling.

She has used this degree to work as a Career Counselor for over 12 years within CUNY and has earned a number of specialized credentials: Master Career Development Professional (MCDP) and Career Development Facilitator Instructor (CDFI) via National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor via The Center for Credentialing and Education.

As an active member of the NCDA, she is a committee member of their National Mentoring Program, and the current Vice-President of the New York State Career Development Association, Inc.

Leslie lives in the lower Westchester valley and enjoys spending leisure time with family, listening to jazz, exploring good eats, and, on occasion, playing video games. Feel free to follow Leslie on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Mr. Steve Dauz has worked for LaGuardia Community College for the last 26 years. During that time, Mr. Dauz spent 19 years in the College Discovery (CD) Program as a Counselor, Counselor Coordinator, Chair of the Community College CD Programs , Community of Learning Resource Center Coordinator and Director. In addition , Mr. Dauz was the Director of the University Summer Immersion Program at LaGuardia, developed the Peer Mentoring Program and initiated 2nd Year Programs for the College. Mr Dauz is also an Adjunct Lecturer for the Social Science Department at LaGuardia.

Mr Dauz holds a BA in Psychology at Hunter College and a MS in Counseling at Hunter College. In addition, he has been trained at the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy Institute, received Substance Abuse-Early Intervention training from the CUNY Student Assistance Program and received certification from the Institute on the College of the Community on Transforming Learning Systems. Mr. Dauz has Co-Author an article for The Learning Center Newsletter, “Being In The Classroom” and also Co-Author an article for the International Mentoring Association entitled, “Bridging Cultural Gaps to Support a Successful College Career.

Mr. Dauz has extensive training in Emergency Management. He was a certified EMT for a volunteer ambulance corps, worked for the American Red Cross as a shelter manager and more recent was the Deputy Coordinator for the Community Emergency Response Team for the Office of Emergency Management in Hicksville (OEM CERT).

Tyleah Castillo graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University in 2007 with her Bachelor’s in Business Management and completed her MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management in 2008. In 2007 she was given the opportunity to work at her alma mater as an Academic Coaching Expert/Advisor. For two and a half years she has worked effectively with the Office of Student Success and succeeded in her efforts to build a sense of community with First Year Students. She is fully competent in organizing and strategizing new and effective ways to guide students towards academic success.

As an Academic Coaching Expert/ Advisor she provided students with the tools necessary to become critical thinkers and active members of the college community. Her position as an Advisor has allowed her to work closely with students and provide them with academic support to assist in developing their educational outlines and reach their full academic potential. Tyleah truly believes that students who receive one-on-one assistance are more equipped to make better decisions that improve their academic skills. As a faculty member at Utica College she advised many student groups, such as Latin American Student Union and The Friends of Chantell Mallory.

A native of New York City, Tyleah comes to LaGuardia Community College with experience in academic advising, programming and working with student groups. She is elated to work in a student centered environment that fosters individual growth and lifelong learning.

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." ~ Ronald E. Osborn

Hicania Gomez is the first in her family to go to college and graduate. While in college she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Human Development ’05 and a Master’s in Social Work ’07 degree; both from Binghamton University. Hicania has a background in counseling, addictions and advising students. In the past she has studied abroad in Nicaragua where she worked with at risk communities providing social work services and interventions. In addition to studying abroad, she has also worked with hurricane Katrina survivors in a social work exchange program in New Orleans, LA. Most recently, Hicania worked with the Upward Bound program here at LaGuardia Community College helping low income and first generation students complete high school and move on towards obtaining a post secondary education. She has a strong desire to work with students and help them achieve their highest potential. Ultimately, she believes that life is about taking risk and believing in yourself.

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try; so shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” - Brian Littrell 

Geizel began her academic career at LaGuardia Community College, as an ASAP Cohort I student. Here at LaGuardia she majored in Business Administration and served as the Communications Officer of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

After two years, Geizel acquired her associates and continued her academic journey at Queens College. During her transition from LaGuardia to Queens, she was accepted into the CUNY Baccalaureate Program of Interdisciplinary Studies where she completed her Bachelors in Womens’ Literature. The CUNY B.A. program allowed Geizel to combine her love for literature and writing, as well as her interest in Womens Studies.

Lavie Margolin joined the ASAP Program as a Career & Employment Specialist in the summer of 2010. He earned his B.S. in Marketing from Yeshiva University. Lavie has worked in workforce development and education for 7 years and was an Employment Specialist for the State University of New York Brooklyn EOC prior to joining the ASAP team. Additionally, he has taught Career Development courses and served as a Senior Job Developer for FEGS Health and Human Services as well as Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens. Lavie enjoys helping students to achieve their career goals. Lavie provides students with the tools necessary to explore their academic interests as well as direction on conducting an effective job search. Lavie believes that with a little bit of guidance, every student has the ability to achieve their full potential. He is excited to work in a collaborative environment helping students to achieve success.

My specialties are ESL, English, basic math, Elementary Statistics, and Psychology. After completing my Associates Degree at LaGuardia Community College in 2008, I continued my education at New York University, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. During my attendance at LaGuardia College, I became very active as a student, participating in many events and workshops that focused on community leadership. I initiated and served as the President of the Human Services Club where I had the opportunity to introduce other students to volunteer work. My interest in serving the community continued at NYU, where I collaborated with the development and growth of a project call Power House; a residential program for homeless young mothers. Upon my graduation from NYU on 2011, I have been preparing for the graduate school level. On 2012, I hope to pursue my Master’s Degree in Social Work at either Columbia University, New York University, or Hunter College.

Jasmine earned her M.A. in English from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2000. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work from CUNY’s Hunter College. Jasmine joins the ASAP program as a social work intern. She comes to ASAP with a rich background in the areas of family support and education.

Prior to joining the ASAP community, Jasmine served as the director of a family literacy and support program for immigrant families in Cambridge, MA. In this role she provided individual counseling and facilitated groups. Additionally, she collaborated with an array of community agencies to meet families’ diverse needs.

Jasmine’s experience also includes spearheading and directing several education initiatives for agencies including the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. Jasmine developed innovative arts education curriculum to engage students and acknowledge their different learning styles and individual pathways to success.

In her role as an ASAP social work intern, Jasmine aims to support students’ academic and socio-emotional growth and development. Jasmine’s areas of interest include adult basic education, the immigrant experience, biculturalism, healthy relationships, art therapy, and family dynamics.

Eric’s erudite knowledge emanates from his love for literature and writing. His witticisms, which he incorporates with his pedagogical methods, allow students to fully engage with their material. He is always willing to share his knowledge of Literature, Politics, and Critical Theory -in a very broad sense of the phrase; though sometimes garrulous, he has an infernal passion for helping others. And, if he does not know an answer, rest assured, he will definitely find or direct you towards someone who does.

In the past he has worked for the SUNY Binghamton Research Foundation as a GEAR UP Coordinator. Within the CUNY Research Foundation his experience extends itself to working as a Teacher for Liberty Partnership, and as a counselor and tutor for the Upward Bound program, both at LaGuardia Community College. He seeks to encourage and strengthen academic scholarship within the ASAP cohort and subsequently within the LaGuardia Community.

Andrew completed his Bachelors degree at the University of Rochester in 2003 where he studied Religion, English and American History. Following graduation Andrew worked as a public school teacher in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Andrew graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York with a Masters of Divinity degree in Inter-religious Dialogue and Education in 2009.

In the summer of 2009, he facilitated a youth empowerment program for inner city teens from New York in a *batey* in the Dominican Republic. Andrew has also participated in a cultural exchange programs for children in Calcutta India.

Andrew is a recipient of the *Auburn Theological Seminary* “Bennett Fellowship” for social service and advocacy for justice in the public arena and a scholarship from the *Beatitudes Society to attend and facilitate the *United Religion Initiative * Global Assembly – “Pilgrims of Peace” in Mayapur India.

In 2010 Andrew completed a year of training as a hospital chaplaincy. He is currently working toward a Masters Degree in social work at Hunter College. Andrew’s goals are to work toward client centered advocacy for refugees in partnership with religious communities and to utilize an integrative therapy model inclusive of culture and spiritual practice.

Guillaume Koible joined the ASAP team as an office assistant in the fall of 2010. He recently became a math tutor for the program in the spring of 2011. He is expected to earn a combined Master and Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics along with a minor in Mathematics in May 2011 from Hunter College. He earned an Associate in science degree in Business Administration from LaGuardia Community College in 2007.

Guillaume worked as a Teaching-Assistant for the Economics department at Hunter College. He also worked as an API (Academic Peer Instruction) math tutor for LaGuardia Community College while interning at Amnesty International for the Human Right Education Program. Through his diverse experiences as a tutor, Guillaume enjoys contributing to society by providing students with the tools necessary to improve their academic performances in mathematics, statistics and economics. He aims to help students move forward and meet their career goals.

Guillaume is a dedicated and hard working person who likes to motivate, help and orient others. He strongly believes that all of us can achieve our goals if we receive the help we need. He is a very optimistic person who is convinced that success is for everyone: if one’s mind can conceive one can achieve. Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our mind~ Bob Marley

Ana Carrillo has worked at LaGuardia Community College five years. She started working in the Communication Skills Department as a reading tutor (CSE 095 and 099), preparing students to take the ACT test. A year ago, she was given the opportunity to work as an adjunct teaching the classes she used to tutor. Although, some of her time has been dedicated to teaching, most of her work has been to service the Liberty Partnership Program high school population. Part of what she does is coordinate school activities, trips and events. Most recently she was welcomed by Dr. Polnariev to be part of the ASAP program, in which she will be assisting the advisors, and tutors so that students get the necessary tools to further their education.

She has been very fortunate to have accomplished many of her dreams she had since she finished high school. One of those was continuing with her education. When she enrolled in college, her objective was to learn as much as she could and take advantage of the opportunity she would not have had if she would have stayed in my home country. So, she set out to finish an associate degree in Liberal Arts with the hope that she would get a part time job to help me get through her bachelors. It was a challenge. But being able to obtain a bachelor degree was probably the most exciting part of her life because she was doing something she had found to be her passion-- French. Then, she thought it would be a great idea to combine her love for French (literature, language and culture) with international politics as a way to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and frames of thought. Thus, she decided to enroll in a Master degree in International Politics which allowed her to see the world in different perspectives.

My name is Yves Jacques St Fort and I am studying Mathematics and Education at the City College of New York (CCNY). I was born and raised in Haiti. I moved to the United States about five years ago so I could finish my academic studies. I have been living with my aunt and uncle on Jamaica, Queens since I arrived. Upon my arrival here I went straight into college. I attend LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC) for 2 years which I graduate from and I am now a second year college student at CCNY.

Tutoring is one of the things I enjoy the most. Even back when I was in Haiti I had a passion for helping others reach their maximum potential in math. So, I'm excited to be working with ASAP doing what I've been doing for a while and also what I do best which is helping my peers who are having difficulties with mathematics. So, i'm looking forward to work with you all.

Jaclyn Krueger is an experienced higher education professional, with a particular passion for Academic Advising. She graduated in 2005 from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she pursued a degree in Communications, and Minors in Music as well as Gender Studies. In 2012 she completed her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. She holds memberships in both the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Jaclyn has over five years of experience working in higher education and has worked as both an Academic Advisor and Admissions Counselor. She believes that a student's academic success must be aided by intentional, capable academic advising and advocation for students.

Patricia Hicks is a passionate educator with a deep belief in educational access for all. Her twenty years of classroom experience have strengthened her purpose to enrich the world through literacy and the transformative power of experiential learning. After ten years full-time in the elementary classroom, she transitioned to the dynamic and creative field of teaching arts in New York City. In this capacity, Patricia has taught with and developed literacy curricula for numerous organizations, independent and public schools, at every grade level, including: The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Summer Bridge, Harlem RBI, Liberty LEADS at Bank Street College, College Now CUNY, Good Shepherd Services, CUNY ASAP, the Graduation Success Initiative at CUNY and El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. Patricia's philosophy is deeply informed by the National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project on Inclusive Curriculum where Dr. Peggy McIntosh trained her as a SEED seminar leader. Her facilitation work includes mentoring developing teachers, grassroots community building and integrating varied arts media with literature and writing. She currently works for Urban Word NYC, Reel Works Teen Documentary Filmmaking, and The Cooper Union Saturday Outreach Program and with ESL students at the Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School. Patricia is a Master Teaching Artist for the Literature to Life Program at the American Place Theater and a member of the performing and teaching company of Young Audiences New York.