Humanities & the Arts Blog
On December 5, 2024 I walked into the NAC Ballroom twenty minutes late for the start of the CCNY James Baldwin Centennial Celebration symposium. Regardless, I was still greeted by friendly smiles and a festive ambiance. The day-long event was a joyous display of diversity and black empowerment, and the capstone event of CCNY semester-long celebration of Baldwin and his work. A captivating poster of Baldwin was displayed in the ballroom as a keystone of African American achievement, making me feel revitalized as an aspiring black author and researcher. This… Read More »
From Starbucks unions to autism research, CCNY alums reflect on the significance of their philosophy studies
The Philosophy Alumni Panel at CCNY on December 3rd not only offered a fascinating discussion on the transformational potential of philosophy, but it also clarified the essential role that philosophical thinking plays in influencing careers, individual lives, and society. The panelists, Brandi Alduk, Steven Hernandez, Simon Michelini, and Professor Pat Hope, demonstrate the profound impact of philosophical inquiry on activism, education, and personal growth. These alums discussed the role of philosophy in addressing social equality, neurodiversity ethics, and workplace disputes.… Read More »
Adjunct History Professor Rory Duffy teaches history in the classroom and through documentary filmmaking
Ever since his father took him to Gettysburg as a teenager Professor Rory Duffy has been captivated by history. Currently, alongside teaching United States history here at CCNY he concentrates much of his creative, intellectual energy on documentary filmmaking—investigating historical and contemporary social movements and presenting his findings in emotionally compelling ways. His latest picture, A Fragile Peace, already won Best Feature Documentary at the Crown Points Film Festival in Chicago at just the beginning leg of its festival circuit.
“Growing up,” Duffy recounts. “I… Read More »
H&A’s Academic Empowerment Workshops offer students practical tools for managing their courses and academic careers
Time management is a skill many of my students struggle with. When I brought my freshman composition class to one of academic advisor Kay Bell’s Academic Empowerment Workshops this past fall,, I had hoped they might pick up a few strategies to keep up with course deadlines. What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would learn alongside them.
During the session, Bell guided students through practical exercises, from identifying their biggest time-wasters to mapping out due dates for the rest of the semester. She encouraged students to explore tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and… Read More »
Victor Almanzar, CCNY alum, actor, and 2024 recipient of the Townsend Harris medal brings humanity to every role
Discovering a passion for acting
Victor Almanzar, a 2012 graduate of CCNY’s Theatre and Speech Department, never expected to become an actor. As an immigrant who landed in high school in Long Island City, he was placed in a drama class that didn’t initially resonate with him. A perceptive teacher saw potential in him and secretly enrolled him in the CAT Youth Theater after-school program. Almanzar’s first performance sparked a love for applied arts and storytelling, enabling him to process his environment and emotions in new ways.
After years of serving in the military,… Read More »
Amidst intense competition to secure fall publishing internships this semester, several Publishing Certificate Program (PCP) students demonstrated phenomenal talent and dedication, which allowed them to secure incredible placements at leading companies and organizations in the book publishing industry.
Congratulations to Shannon Rowe, Conor Johnston, Roxanna Cardenas Colmenares, Jennifer Martinez, Sunny Baumann, and Lacey Ballard.
Shannon Rowe, pursuing a B.A. in English, is currently working as a Communications & Events Intern at the National Book Foundation.… Read More »
History alums, Timothy Fischer and Jenni K. Rein, discuss the value of their degree and unexpected career paths with students
How can a history degree serve as a foundation for diverse career paths? What specific skills does it instill that are applicable across various industries? In an era where the practicality of humanities degrees is often questioned, the stories of successful professionals with history backgrounds stand as testaments to the versatility and utility of this field of study. In November, I, a current history student, attended an event organized by the CCNY History Society Club and History professor John Blanton where two History alumni who have carved out unique professional… Read More »
Jazz master’s student Simon Mogul on his debut album and collaboration with jazz legend Curtis Lundy
Current MM Jazz student, Simon Mogul is quickly making his mark in the jazz world. With a sound that bridges the past and the present, Mogul draws inspiration from jazz legends like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, blending their influence with modern genres such as hip-hop and R&B. In the summer of 2022, Simon completed his first international tour with a set of nearly all-original music. Since moving to New York, Mogul has performed alongside jazz icons like Matt Wilson and Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Recently, he recorded his debut project as a… Read More »
H&A’s College Life Workshops impart students with practical skills for personal and professional achievement
The journey through college can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to planning for the future. That is why Marlin Hernandez, an academic advisor for the Humanities and the Arts, leads an initiative to help students plan their professional careers one step at a time. Her College Life Workshops offer an engaging space for students to get to know their campus resources, as well as gain insights from professionals that will assist them in shaping their college experience in a supportive and interactive environment.
The College Life Workshops support college students… Read More »
The Jewish Studies Program at CCNY is a vibrant and diverse academic community. Its students hail from various corners of the globe, representing a multitude of linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Interestingly, most of the students are not Jewish. They are drawn to the program by its excellent and approachable faculty, a commitment to academic success, and a tradition of fostering camaraderie in a commuter school setting. A glance through the program’s office door often reveals a handful of students who call this program home.
The curriculum is broad and diverse,… Read More »
Last Updated: 08/16/2024 12:02