LaGuardia Community College opens Immigrant Student Empowerment Office

LaGuardia Community College has officially opened its Office of Immigrant Student Empowerment (OISE), marking the first initiative of its kind within the City University of New York (CUNY) system. The office, located in Long Island City, is designed to provide immigrant and immigration-impacted students with a dedicated point of contact for academic and personal success.

Directed by Denise I. Vivar, the office connects students to various resources, including scholarships, emergency assistance, and experiential learning stipends. It also facilitates connections to external supports such as the Friedman Fund for New New Yorkers and LaGuardia CARES. Since its preliminary operations began in the spring, the office has already assisted more than 70 students.

The establishment of the OISE was supported by funding from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation. The opening ceremony featured remarks from several officials, including New York State Assemblymember Claire Valdez and LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams.