11 Design Your Student Experience

My name is Degnis Lucero, and I am expecting to graduate in Spring 2025. I have started the process of enrolling to Queens College for Fall 2025, pursuing the same major in Philosophy, hoping to earn a BA/MA in Fall 2027. I have learned a lot here at LaGuardia and will use this experience to find internships and other academic opportunities. I love learning, continuing, and pushing myself to accomplish my goals. I want to be good and proficient in my field. To achieve this, I need to go beyond the classroom. This motivates me to look for other opportunities to expand my horizons. The simplest way to start building connections or networking is by asking questions, showing that you are curious to learn more. The questions do not have to be complicated, but you must gain some knowledge from each one. As you build trust, you can level up the questions.

I have had many experiences during my academic career here at LaGuardia. The First Year Seminar helped me understand my career path. But the experience that changed how I saw my major as a philosopher was the internship I had with Professor Carr. The internship was a new and challenging experience that helped me grow academically and personally, and the guidance of Professor Carr helped me understand my options for the future of my career as a philosopher. And after that internship, I started to look for other opportunities at the college. Support from Veterans Services and ASAP along with resources like the Library, the Writing Center, the Center for Career and Professional Development, and the gym helped me grow personally and professionally.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, sleep well, take notes, rewrite those notes, play and relax, stay curious, and eat fruits and vegetables.

My name is Sonika Rawal, my major is Mechanical Engineering and my expected graduation is December 2025. Over time, LaGuardia became more than just a college, it became a place where I discovered who I truly am. One of the most pivotal decisions I made was becoming an Academic Peer Instruction (API) for Calculus. At first, I doubted whether I was qualified to support others. But standing in front of a classroom helping students understand concepts that once confused me taught me something deeper than equations. I learned how to lead with empathy, how to communicate clearly, and how to create space for others to feel capable. Beyond tutoring, I embraced opportunities that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I joined the Writers Across the Curriculum research study, where I explored the academic writing process through the lens of a multilingual student. Sharing my story in a formal research context helped me see the power of my voice not just in STEM, but in storytelling.
My professors didn’t just teach, they encouraged, challenged, and believed in me. They wrote recommendation letters, guided my research, and reminded me that I was capable of competing with the best. Their mentorship was a lifeline during moments of doubt.
To any student standing at the beginning of their journey, uncertain, hesitant, or quietly questioning if they belong, you know this: you don’t have to arrive fearless. You just have to arrive willing. I came to LaGuardia unsure of my voice, unsure of my place and I will be leaving with a vision, a purpose, and a deep-rooted belief in who I am becoming. This college gave me more than an education; it gave me the foundation to lead boldly, the clarity to serve with purpose, and the courage to dream beyond the boundaries I once saw for myself. And that is just the beginning!

My name is Georgia Anastasiou, my major is Nutrition & Culinary Management and my expected graduation date is June 2025. The Office of Accessibility was very helpful with guiding me through my academic journey in LaGuardia. The SGA Tutoring Center helped me find tutoring services while taking my general education classes. The Center for Career and Professional Development helped me find an internship and with mock interviews. Lastly, the Writing Center was also a great resource in helping me review my essays or my writing assignments. New students should try to make connections with future professors and peers. Networking with future professors or peers will give new students more opportunities to explore their own academic or career goals in LaGuardia.

My name is Sujal Mahaseth, my major is Mechanical Engineering and my expected graduation is June 2025. Working as a Peer Advisor in the Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science department gave me the chance to work closely with both students and faculty. Whether I was helping students plan their courses or leading a workshop, these interactions helped me form lasting bonds. I also met inspiring staff through my work with the President’s Society and the Nepali Student Association.

Through my roles as a Peer Advisor, President’s Society Ambassador, and club leader, I’ve built lasting connections with faculty, staff, and students. Faculty mentors guided me in research and academic opportunities, while peer interactions helped me grow socially and professionally. These networks became my support system, especially as an international student adapting to a new environment.

One of the most meaningful moments was organizing the Diwali celebration as President of the Nepali Student Association. We brought together over 750 attendees to experience Nepali culture through music, dance, and food. Coordinating such a large event helped me develop project management, leadership, and communication skills—and showed me the importance of cultural representation on campus.

My name is Carrie. I am majoring in TESOL, graduated in Spring 2025, and will continue my TESOL studies at Queens College. Saying that I’m excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. But more than anything, I feel grateful. When I arrived in New York as an immigrant, everything was new to me. I had to start from zero in every part of my life. From my very first days as a student in the English Center, to the moment I walked across the stage at graduation, LaGuardia has been by my side through it all. None of this would have been possible without the fantastic and supportive community at LaGuardia. I’m so thankful for my peers, professors, and the faculty and staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Every single person has played a part in helping me get to where I am now.

I’ll never forget my first real connection at LaGuardia, my professor from my First-Year Seminar (FYS) class. She was the one who set everything in motion for me. Because of her, I attended campus events where I met great friends whom I have to this day. She also encouraged me to connect with the director of my program. She guided me through the semesters, cheering me on and inspiring me to strive for improvement. I’ll always be grateful to both for encouraging me when I was just starting out.

When I first started college, I didn’t have any job experience, but I had my GPA and eagerness to improve and get more involved on campus. Therefore, I applied to the Peer Advisor Academy. I was so proud to be chosen as a Peer Advisor for the English Language Arts department. That experience helped me grow significantly, not only in my studies but also as a person. Serving as a Peer Advisor allowed me to connect with many students, boost my confidence, refine my problem-solving skills, and it has opened so many doors for me. It helped me build connections within my major and gain skills that led to opportunities such as tutoring and a CUNY internship.

My top advice for students is to get involved on campus, especially if you’re unsure where to start. Campus events are a great way to unwind, meet new people, and explore programs, job opportunities, and student organizations. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in or outside of class, since it helps build strong relationships with professors, which can lead to mentorships and recommendations. Most importantly, take full advantage of the campus resources available, such as tutoring centers and career services. These tools can support your success and enhance your college journey. I’m grateful for the support that has brought me to this moment, as I begin a new chapter in pursuit of my bachelor’s degree. Looking back at how far I’ve come, I can’t help but feel proud of myself and grateful to my professors and faculty members.

My name is Jaquelin Miguel, I’m currently a psychology major at Hunter College. My expected graduation date is Spring 2026. There is truly something special brewing in LaGuardia’s halls. LaGuardia is multifaceted and in the end, takes on a global identity that has influenced my curiosity about discovering the world around me.

When the opportunity to be a Peer Advisor presented itself, I decided to throw my name into the hat. I like challenging myself and experiencing new things and it was a really fun job that opened up several doors for me. I had the convenience of working on campus, which helped my grades tremendously. I am reminded of a study I saw that dissected the relationship between higher academic performance and work study on campus. I was extremely happy that my job on campus allowed me to balance my academic life with work life. It was a very fortunate opportunity for me and I learned many lessons when I was a Peer Advisor.

I also built my first friendships at LaGuardia through my role as a Peer Advisor, and now in my role as a Student Success Mentor (SSM). I have met some of my best friends on this campus and I am forever grateful that LaGuardia linked us and was the catalyst for our paths crossing. Being a Student Success Mentor has forced me to step out of my comfort zone. I had to become comfortable in standing in front of LaGuardia students and taking on the role of a mentor. In order to perform this task adequately, it meant I had to believe in myself, my own competence and ability. I am glad to say that I’ve built meaningful relationships with FYS students. In retrospect, I had to become confident in myself. While I still have a lot of work to do in building confidence and being secure in my identity, I can definitely say that I am in a better place than I was before I joined the Student Success Mentor program. I am proud to have taken on this challenge, I feel like I have grown as a person and demonstrated resilience.

Join clubs! Talk to people first! Engage in conversation, put yourself out there, show up to events, apply for opportunities! Create community, take initiative, cradle your soul, your future is in your hands and you can take the steps to make your own flower path.