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Building Anew: Anchoring Student Success in a Divided Landscape

Creating Space to Breathe: Community-Centered Strategies for Restoring Connection and Well-Being on Campus

Thursday, January 22, 2026
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Mount Vernon Square - Level M3

    Primary Presenter(s)

  • Christine Mangino

    President
    Queensborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY), United States

    PDF

    • Co-Presenter(s)

  • YG

    Yessenia Garcia

    Inclusive Hiring and Cultural Programming Manager
    Queensborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY), United States

  • AM

    Angelica May

    Marketing Director
    Queensborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY), United States

How can colleges foster connection and care in times of division and uncertainty? This session will share how one urban public college implemented low-cost, high-impact practices, such as yoga, walking groups, drop-in chats, art therapy, and monthly “Campus Catch-Up” calls, to support student and employee well-being during a challenging year. With leadership playing an active, visible role, the college anchored its culture of care through transparency, community-building, and creativity. Participants will engage in reflective discussion and leave with actionable strategies to promote belonging, ease burnout, and strengthen campus trust. This session is ideal for campus leaders, student support professionals, and anyone working to sustain inclusive excellence during turbulent times.