Change in taste: Lehman’s culinary experience post-pandemic

By Brian Cortes

For many students at Lehman, grabbing a bite to eat between classes or catching up with friends over lunch is an essential part of the college experience. Whether it’s breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or even a simple snack to get through the day, eating something while on campus has become essential to students. Considering this, it is no surprise that students have paid close attention to Lehman's dining services. In the process of keeping up with the dining services, many questions from students have arisen over time. As Lehman students returned in the fall of 2021 during the transition period of reopening post-pandemic, they left the cafeteria services behind as it remained closed until the fall of 2022. Once it did, students quickly noticed their dining experience differed from the one they remembered. With different food options and items, they remember having a different presentation. Following this, students began raising questions about the changes.  

David Charcape, Assistant Director of Campus Life, reflected on the pre-pandemic dining scene, explaining, "Prior to the pandemic, the college used to have a vendor called Metropolitan. Not only did they run the main cafeteria in the basement of the Music Building, but they also offered catering services for campus events. Most of the clubs and offices used their services often, and the prices were very competitive.” 

Metropolitan Food Service Inc. was the food service provider that supplied the campus with most of its food options, and the experience most students were familiar with before the pandemic. Many students reflect on their experience when Metropolitan was around with comments like “I could always count on a slice of pizza to get me through the day” and “the burger and fries combo always hit the spot and left me and my friends satisfied.” Also, similar sentiments were shared about how the cafeteria services back then created a comfortable environment for them to eat or simply hang out before, in between, and after classes. 

Like many things in our time, Metropolitan Food Services Inc. was not able to stay open for business as Lehman and other colleges shut down campus activities. This served as a primary source of income for Metropolitan, and the absence made it hard for them to stay in business. This is true for most of the food providers of colleges in NYC. Despite this, Lehman needed to continue providing dining services as part of getting the services on campus back up and running. This led to a new supplier taking the reins of dining services at Lehman in the form of JG Restaurant Ventures LLC (DBA World Cup). JG has been in charge of the current food services at Lehman since the reopening of its cafeteria services. The change was apparent when students observed that their usual food items, like the pizza, looked and tasted different.  

To gauge if the overall experience provided by JG is better, worse, or the same as Metropolitan is harder to evaluate since comparing taste, portions, health benefits, and overall experience are different areas that could vary depending on who you ask. However, a comparison between both services presents itself in the form of the annual budgets of the Lehman Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation, which demonstrates the revenues that the cafeterias bring to Lehman annually.

According to the files in the fiscal year of 2019-2020, when Metropolitan was still operating, the cafeteria generated around  $126,837 compared to our current fiscal year 2024-2025, in which JG is running reports of around $60,000. At first glance, based on the numbers, it might appear that Metropolitan’s final year running provided more satisfaction by a long shot compared to JG, which hasn’t been able to gross half of Metropolitan's earnings. But it's important to remember that Lehman is still recuperating itself post-COVID and that JG is continuously reassessing and refining its services to better provide to students. Since Metropolitan had a longer time for trial and error, it had time to figure out what the best accommodations were when servicing Lehman.

 Further inspection of the Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation files also reveals that in the fiscal year of 2022-2023, the cafeteria generated $20,000, and in the fiscal year of 2023-2024, the cafeteria generated $45,000. Considering that this year generated around $60,000, it is evident there's an upward trajectory in performance from JG since their income has increased yearly. This trend indicates that students are slowly trusting JG more and more for their dining services. Something important to note is that JG has to compete with other food services that students have adopted when all the cafeteria services at Lehman were closed. This includes other local dining locations like cafes, food carts, and restaurants. Something that Metropolitan didn’t have to deal with as much. Once Lehman began providing dining services, students weren’t so quick to change back from the new food options they had made part of a routine.

 It’s natural for a business not to do so well at the start and to progress with further time to succeed continuously. Just because JG hasn’t immediately shown the same profit level as the Metropolitan once did, it doesn’t mean that it won’t ever equal or surpass it at some point.

Existing in The Context

By: Steevens Remelus

Suchness:

The piece begins slowly, with controlled movements and silence, and stays this way with the audio sprinkled in. Bits came in and fled, initially confusing me about what was occurring. However, this contributed to the message I took from it later on, acknowledging these slow moments needed to be cherished. When the tape recorder comes in and starts playing audio with the static effect (like a VHS player), it starts to feel like a memory and not so much like interpretive art – moments of childhood, moments of joy.

Eventually, all the movements of slowness and quickness start to combine beautifully. The moment that stood out to me the most was the sunset. Every character and their beautifully done makeup stared into the orange light and, one by one, left, each at a different pace. I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s the feeling of moving at your own pace and not being able to forever enjoy the moments of relaxation or beauty. Reflecting on it now helps me better understand why I felt like crying and wish I had gone to see it again.

This is why I think this piece gets the name “Suchness”. All the changes in pace, the incomplete and partial elements in everything, the movement, and the atmosphere create all the dialogue. Chanel, who worked backstage with wardrobe, gave her interpretation, “Their dance movements were ethereally soft, carrying the audience to fascinating and contemplative thought processes. This improvisation added a touch of surprise to make every movement different and unique.”

Pendulum:

There’s one reason why we go to the club: to distract ourselves from the reality of our lives. We want to get pumped, hang out with our friends, or become less aware of existence. Some of us head to the club and drink or take substances so that the outside world doesn’t feel as real and the joyous effects take over. What’s done well in this performance is how the club culture is fully transported to us; we’re tossed into the high energy, music blasting, dancing, and movement of dancers.

While it's easy to focus on the excitement and energy of the crowd, it's easy to overlook the people around you and their stories, often unnoticed, brought into light by a performance like this.

When creating Pendulum, Xavier wanted to highlight different stories. “Even if they were of the generic type or brand, I still wanted it to be kind of relatable because these are things that, even though they're generic, people understand and relate to. ” 

There’s fantasy and realism put into the narrative to shed positive light on the community, some of the stories being personal. Yes, even with the effects of the hype and stimulation in the club, the problems still find their way to creep in. 

With TJ’s scene in the red room, Xavier recalled from his own experiences. “I wanted to make sure that people, with lighting and music, feel like they’re high. I really wanted people to have this like, ‘ooph,’ like a weight was lifted off your shoulders… sometimes when people are rolling, people feel amazing beautiful and just want to have fun and let go. And then sometimes when you’re mixing and drinking on top of things and other stuff, it’s not that great and not that fun.” 

The dopamine spikes could be temporary, and the doubts fill your mind, just to be washed away again. Promiscuous risks taken in this jungle test your willingness to be vulnerable. Romantic challenges test your loyalty and understanding of one another. While everything feels fast initially, it slows down in these moments and puts you back in perspective: you’re still in reality and going to face it once it's all over, but should cherish these moments while you can. However, accepting who and where you are makes reality all the more possible. 

We end the performance off with a drag show, a beautiful display of queerness, along with some comedy. It makes the statement that this is who we are while showing comfort in ourselves. Although raunchy, it’s real. “I know some of it probably was a little raunchy, a little uncomfortable. That’s part of the reason why I’m very big on making it uncomfortable for people, a lot of it is making people think,” Xavier explained.

Making people think helps with confronting the reality of queer life. When asked about how more explicitness would change the story, Xavier replied, “In nightlife, depending where you go, there are nights where it’s meant just for sex only… so I wanted to make sure that it was as tame as possible where the point still got across… If everything was explicit, then everything would be a whole different ball game.” It can get crazy, and it can be sexual, but the actions are normal and done in an effort to feel free.

So why is the piece called Pendulum? Aside from the allusion to Climax, the story's narratives and nightlife dynamic match the definition and symbolism of a pendulum. Pendulums are weights hung from a point that lets them swing freely forward and back, but they can also be used to refer to the tendency of a situation to oscillate between one extreme and another. “Basically the same thing as Pendulum where it just feels like there’s so many things happening at once, and it’s only a matter of time until we hit a point in the night where it’s about time to go.”

Despite how hectic and nerve-wracking putting it together and seeing the vision might have been, the group chemistry and Xavier and Madelyn’s descriptiveness made it all come together. The creator and dancers' relationship with one another – trusting in him with their cues and artistic speech, trusting in allowing the dancers to do their own thing and help with the creative process, and pushing one another – completed it all. 

"Herbert H. Dance Company Returns: Exploring the Anthology of Fabled Kingdoms"

Herbert H. Dance Company, The Anthology of Fabled Kingdoms. Photo by Ashley Vasquez 

By Ashley Vasquez 

Edited by Professor Eileen Markey 

After a six-year hiatus, the Herbert H. Dance Company (HERBIE) returned to Lehman Stages on Wednesday, September 18, at 4 PM with “The Anthology of Fabled Kingdoms,” choreographed by Lehman alumnae Cordelia Vohnout and Tae G. Kim. 

 This contemporary dance piece explores the power of myths from different cultures, featuring bold and energetic movements. The dancers’ powerful facial expressions and smooth transitions between expressive solos and intricate group formations bring iconic characters such as the fierce warriors and a noble queen to life. Each act focuses on themes of bravery, love, and sacrifice, showing how these stories connect people across cultures. Jessica Maldonado, whose daughter Jaylene is a dancer in the show, was enchanted. "I loved it," she said after the performance. "It was beautiful, and the audience loved it."

Through body movement, dance, and emotions, the dancers created clean lines, and the choreography was designed to highlight their techniques during individual moments. Lehman Stages managed music, atmospheric sounds, and lighting design. “All funds collected from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise support the company, which includes Lehman students and alumni. These funds help bridge the gap between academic pursuits and careers under the Lehman Stage umbrella,” said director Dante Albertie.

The dancers’ elegant and flowing costumes, which ranged in color from bold reds to soft pastels and stunning metallic greens embellished with feathers, played a vital role in the storytelling. “I love seeing the storytelling, and the costumes are really nice,” said Nadia Schroud, a Lehman alumna who returned for the show. The production ran from September 18 through September 22 in The Speech and Theater building. Dancers rehearsed together at the APEX building in Lehman College from July until September's performance, meeting four times a week. “Being a part of HERBIE dance company is like a sense of community,” said dancer  Wilson Hernandez.

Herbert H. Dance Company, The Anthology of Fabled Kingdoms. Photo by Ashley Vasquez 

As the dancers portray the story of renewal, vibrant colors and dramatic music signal the arrival of the phoenix, capturing the audience's attention. The choreographers selected ‘’The Anthology of Fabled Kingdoms’’ as their comeback performance because of its vital elements of “fantasy and storytelling.” The phoenix symbolizes rebirth, marking a new beginning for the HERBIE Company. After a six-year break, HERBIE's return energized the audience, and the faces of the children in attendance appeared inspired. 

Lehman’s Swim Team: Lifeguard Shortage

By: Safiya Richards 

On October 17th, the swim team coach and members were interviewed about the shortage of lifeguards in the APEX due to COVID restrictions, which could potentially impact the swim team.  

There were more lifeguards before COVID-19, and organizations like the Red Cross did training.  

Peter Kiernan, Aquatics Director and Head Swim Coach, stated there was a decline in lifeguards due to the pandemic. “There was something called COVID-19. There were no classes until November 2021.” There weren't a lot of focus classes, so there was a big break. The cities were more restrictive than the outside. According to Kiernan, 35% of the Caucasian population, 50% of the Asian population, and 75% of African Americans don't know how to swim because of the lack of opportunity. The older students go to college, graduate, and go on to their careers, so learning opportunities are no longer available.  

There are three stations for the lifeguards, and there would be another lifeguard in other designated areas of the pool in every area, as well as a fifth at the first aid station for restoration. So, the lifeguards will rotate every 30 minutes. It's called the stationary code, which goes by surface area. “So, if you have a certain area of the pool open 3000 square feet or less, you need one lifeguard.” He states that for every 3000 square feet in space it is required to put another safety personnel. “There are different categories of lifeguards. Supervisory level one and supervisory level two depend on the qualifications. They have lifeguard certification and CPR, which is first aid training for a professional rescuer.”  

Swimming classes are now open for anyone who wants to learn. Peter Kiernan stated, “There are 130 people learning to swim. They do a swim test, but I offer an opportunity for anyone in college to do a job.” Some of the swimmers are lifeguards with qualifications. The coach encourages students to sign up for swimming lessons from Monday to Friday, 12 pm - 3 pm.  

On your marks, set, REBUILD

By Jesus Vargas

 On September 20th, a Meridian Sports reporter interviewed track and field team members on the coming season and the challenges of a student-athlete going beyond the limits of the field. 

This season began with a new coach, just like the season prior, which is a recurring pattern for this track team. The team shattered expectations and surpassed their limits with former track coach Jelani Knight in the previous season. When asked about their experience with Coach Knight, team members acknowledged his coaching capabilities. They understood that the rigorous training sessions would help them become their best.

Statements like “It was pretty good. I felt as though Coach Knight was very welcoming.

Because it was technically my first year doing track, seeing as how I only ran three races total in my senior year of high school,” said Oludemilade Lekan Michael.

“Last year’s season with Coach Knight was successful since the main goal was to make a name for ourselves individually, breaking school records and becoming the champion of your event. Which motivated everyone even more since you’re focused on the main event.” 

“It was a good experience. I learned a lot and found an area I'm good at due to his coaching. He was respectful and knew what we all needed to work on in our specified areas.” 

With the departure of Coach Knight, the track program pivoted in a new direction by hiring a new head coach, Rene Cintron, on August 19th. The season starts with a new coach, which seems to be recurring for Lehman’s track team.

Coach Cintron’s reason for joining Lehman was his history there. “I’m a Lehman alumni that ran track in 2011 and graduated in 2013. When I heard there was a position open for a new head coach, I saw it as a way to give back to the school that gave so much to me.” He furthered his statement by saying, “There’s always going to be some challenges you would encounter coaching a new team, especially consistency. Instilling that in this team will take time, but the group of kids are excellent and are very coachable. But consistency requires them to be in shape, to have a championship mindset, but most importantly to have integrity not just to others but to each other as a team.”

Some members still feel positive about the new coach. “I could say everyone has their own way of working. Even though Coach Knight had a huge impact on my performance last year, changes happen, and you learn from them. In other words, I feel that I could learn new things from the new coach."  said a team member who wishes to remain anonymous.

When asked what the team thought their biggest challenge would be this season with Coach Cintron, they answered, “The biggest challenges would be more in the authority role because we had a different coach last year. We have a new one this year, so now it will be hard to listen to him and follow his directions. We may feel like he's doing many things wrong, but again, we must ease into many things.” 

However, Coach Cintron remains optimistic that the track team will triumph this year. “My expectation is for the team to compete at a high level. Of course, there’s a championship in mind, but every Cuny school wants that. A championship takes time, and to do that, you have to plan meticulously and be patient.”  

Other team members are focused on building team chemistry, a crucial piece of the puzzle in team sports.“Pretty much the team is moving slowly at the moment because not many are interested in the cross-country season and are waiting for the indoor and outdoor season to start. The coach is still new and adjusting to everything, but it's somewhat putting things on an unsteady surface.”

"The expectations for some on the team are low after winning the bronze last year; some see it as a rebuilding year. This is 100% a rebuilding season. We’re coming for our comeback. Every team is always striving for gold, including us. Many people want to engage, so I think this could be very helpful to be better this season, said Oludemilade Lekan Michael.

Others seemed hopeful and are relishing in what the new year has to offer. “It is definitely a rebuilding season since more than half of the team are freshmen.” Michael continues, “They have a lot of talent, which could help us bring back a chip. However, some members are trying to pick up the pieces of an already dismantled team.”

Coach Cintron says “This team has to be willing to sacrifice not only the coaching staff but the runners as well. The team has already initiated a rigorous weight training program for a month. With the indoor season being 3 weeks away, I’m positive that we will be ready by then. My motto for this team is getting 1% better every day because only then can this team reach its fullest potential. 

As the new season approaches, uncertainty looms over the fresh lineup of runners. While optimism sparks among some team members, the true test will come when they face off against seasoned competitors. Will their hope sustain them in the heat of competition, or will reality temper their enthusiasm? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the journey ahead promises valuable lessons and growth, regardless of the outcome. As they lace up their shoes and hit the track, the team stands at the threshold of potential, embracing whatever challenges lie ahead. With this rebuild, some track members are in high spirits: "We're 100% going to the podium this year.” However, can this team reclaim their championship glory as they did in the 2023 season, or will they have reached the end of the line?

Exploring the Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

By Daniel Douglas

Do you feel a spike of anxiety when your phone goes missing, even for just a moment? Have you skipped social gatherings to indulge in screen time at home? Or worse, have you ever narrowly avoided a collision because your eyes were glued to your phone screen?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be part of the growing phenomenon known as the "Smartphone zombie" tribe. These individuals, ensnared by the allure of constant connectivity, find themselves increasingly disconnected from the world around them. And the consequences are more than just personal—they're societal and potentially dangerous.

In today's digital era, the line between reality and technology blurs as smartphones become predominant. This technological revolution has birthed a new breed of individuals known as "Smartphone Zombies," fixated on their screens to the detriment of everything else. In Hong Kong, they're dubbed dai tau juk, or "the head-down tribe." Despite the negative implications, many remain unaware of the consequences of smartphone addiction. 

Excessive smartphone use disrupts sleep patterns, as the blue light emitted by screens hinders melatonin production, leading to sleep deprivation and decreased REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 90% of adults admit to using electronic devices within an hour before bedtime, disrupting sleep patterns. Moreover, constant notifications disturb deep sleep, perpetuating this cycle.

This addiction also impairs concentration, with studies showing smartphones alter brain activity, hindering focus on tasks. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that even the mere presence of a smartphone reduces cognitive capacity. Furthermore, reliance on smartphones has eroded basic skills, diminishing memory, and physical well-being. Neck, shoulder, and thumb discomfort are common, worsened by prolonged usage. Over the moon, poor posture from excessive screen time can lead to spinal injuries and even respiratory issues. A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine found that prolonged smartphone usage is associated with forward neck posture, slouched posture, and rounded shoulders, leading to structural issues and respiratory function impairment.

Besides, children aren't spared from the impacts, with excessive screen time leading to learning gaps and reduced verbal intelligence. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 8 to 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes per day using entertainment media, including TV, computers, video games, and smartphones. This overexposure to screens has been linked to lower academic performance and verbal intelligence.

Despite these concerns, there's hope in managing screen time consciously and seeking support for accountability. Identifying triggers for excessive use and distancing phones from bedtime can help break free from smartphone addiction and its detrimental effects. It's time to revive ourselves from this zombie-like existence before it's too late. Take the bold step of distancing your phone from your bedside, even if it poses a challenge - the rewards far outweigh the effort. Consider the repercussions of altering your lung function due to poor posture - isn't that reason enough to break free from our zombie-like existence?

The Evolving Threat of Phishing

By Granit Krasniqi

On August 10, 2024, as I was going through the trouble of making sure all my financial aid and scholarships and loans were being processed correctly for the upcoming semester, I received an email. An email I hastily clicked on named “COLLEGE GRANT.” The email described a “National College Board” and a “student benefit grant” that I had been approved for. All they needed was my “Full Names”, cellphone number, banking institution and my personal email address. I was provided a name, “Nathan Brown.” He was to be the contact I sent all this information to. The email ends with a note, “NOTE: Eligible students are not required to pay back the grant. Kindly also indicate if you are/were enrolled in other college as you can be eligible for double grant.” As well as another “IMPORTANT NOTE” reiterating again that you must contact the financier with your personal email. 

This sounded amazing. Almost too good to be true. That is because it was. The “National College Board” does not exist and is likely trying to borrow legitimacy and likeness from the legitimate non-profit organization that runs the SAT and Highschool AP assessments, CollegeBoard. “Nathan Brown” also doesn’t come up with any results other than a reddit post questioning the legitimacy of the exact email I received. It is a common name and surname that they likely thought wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. The notes addressing how good the grant is and how it won’t need to be paid back are all a part of the allure. They might’ve been successful if they didn’t have so many spelling and grammar mistakes and if the format of the letter wasn’t a screen capture of an iPhone notes page. Who sends emails as only a jpeg? People who want to steal a lot of others information quickly. 

This email is a clear example of phishing. Phishing is a practice where you are sent an email or message that appears legitimate asking for personal information. The appearance of legitimacy often is targeted. The email I received was expertly aimed at students. Depending on where your email address was taken from the scammers can tailor the email to be relevant to your life. For example, if I received this email about college grants as I described before, but I was a fifty-five-year-old professional working on Wall Street it wouldn’t be successful. The Wall Street professional has been out of school for a long time and would never trust or even look at an email about college grants. However, if our same hypothetical Wall Street professional brought an expensive car recently and the email was tailored to look like it came from a dealership, and it addressed concerns or problems about the purchase it could very well be enough to attract his attention. 

Phishing is yet another hurdle we have to deal with in our increasingly digital lives. Students at Lehman are not the only ones dealing with this. Even companies like Google and Facebook, giants of the tech industry, deal with phishing attacks. The most infamous case being Evaldas Rimasauskas. CNBC reported that Rimasauskas plead guilty to wire fraud “…after helping to orchestrate a scheme that included setting up a fake business and sending phishing emails to employees of Facebook and Google. The scheme ultimately duped those multibillion-dollar companies out of more than $100 million in total between 2013 and 2015, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York” (Huddleston 2019). Phishing can also target the government as voters in Lawerence County, Pennsylvania learned. New Castle News reported that voters received text messages reading “We have you in our records as not registered to vote. Check your registration status & register in two minutes,” and were then directed to a link (Watcher 2024). In L.A. County, the Los Angeles Times reported that the public health agency was hit with a phishing attack that potentially exposed “…more than 200,000 people in Los Angeles County” (Fry 2024). Atrium Health, a healthcare company, was also not left unscathed by phishing. The Charlotte Observer reported, “An unauthorized third party gained access to a group of employees’ emails through phishing…” (Chase 2024). 

Phishing attacks can target any part of society. From mega corporations to hospitals to the government. Everything is vulnerable. There are multiple reasons it is so ubiquitous. One reason is that it is incredibly easy to do. You do not need high level technical information like you would need to hack into a system. All you need is a good script and a link that prompts people to enter their information. Another reason phishing is so effective is people. People are the weakest link in cybersecurity being exploited by phishing. You could have the strongest cybersecurity in the world, and it wouldn’t prevent someone with access clicking on a suspicious link in a phishing email. This means in order to combat phishing we must be vigilant ourselves. 

Lehman College needs to do more to help safeguard students and faculty against phishing and all kinds of cybersecurity attacks. The Information Technology Division offers workshops on how to effectively use different programs and technologies such as Office 365 but offers no courses on security. On their page titled Information Technology Policies, Security Alerts and Advisories on the Lehman website there is a link to a CUNY online security awareness course and an accompanying pdf but both links are dead. The page hasn't been updated since 2017, it proudly says at the top, despite there being one pdf from 2018. That one is titled Holiday Season Online Scams and Malware Campaigns. It does address phishing and gives tips on how to deal with it and other malicious attacks but there is not enough. One pdf from 2018 is unacceptable. The phishing email I described at the start of this article was not sent just to me. There are other Lehman students who received this email. This should have rung alarm bells for the IT Division to at the very least send out an email addressing the situation but nothing. Lehman needs to do better for its students and faculty. I have reached out to the Chief Information Officer at Lehman, Ms. Ediltrudys Ruiz, for comment but have not received a response at the time of writing. 

A Review on Voting Participation

By Ashley Vasquez

In today's turbulent political and social landscape, our democracy is undergoing a rigorous examination. The effectiveness of our system's checks and balances is being called into question. While some view it as slow or overly bureaucratic, it's crucial to understand that the solution lies in the act of voting. Each vote, though seemingly insignificant on its own, joins with others to influence the course of laws and policies, shaping the trajectory for current and future generations.  

So, what actions has New York State undertaken to encourage voter turnout? 

NYC Votes is a program proposed by The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB), which has been working to enhance voter participation at the local level, particularly targeting communities with low voter turnout rates. Through extensive print advertising campaigns, they've spread the message "Get-Out-the-Vote" across various platforms. This includes online, TV, radio, and public spaces, reaching millions of New Yorkers in five languages for both the August primary and November general elections. To engage a younger demographic, digital ads are used on popular social media platforms. Additionally, they employed resources like print voter guides, the online platform nycvotes.org, emails, text messages, social media, community outreach, direct voter engagement, and a youth ambassador program.  

Another noteworthy organization is VoteEarlyDay.org, which aims to raise awareness among all Americans about the significance of voting early. They provide resources such as state-specific voting rules, a vote early day voter tool to locate voting locations, times, election deadlines, and other helpful benefits.  

The CFB also generates a comprehensive voter analysis report using detailed data collected during the election period. They use two distinct types of files obtained from The NYC Board of Elections to evaluate voter engagement. The first file, the active file, contains relevant voter profile information such as address, date of birth, date of voter registration, gender, and political districts. The second file tracks the voting history of individual voters. Both files utilize a unique serial number known as CountyEMSID to identify registered voters across the city. 

Now let's take a closer look at the election data from the CFB's voter analysis report for the years 2022-2023. Specifically, this data concentrates on analyzing the participation rates and turnout among different age groups. 

Young voters were actively engaged during special elections on December 22, 2020, February 2, 2021, and March 22, 2022. Their turnout remained consistent at 12.5% during the general election in 2022. This increased engagement might have been influenced by various issues at the time, such as concerns about the threat to abortion rights, high crime rates, or worries about inflation affecting the affordability of essentials. However, their commendable participation and decision to vote deserve recognition, regardless of the reasons.  

Another surprising fact emerges: the Bronx consistently records the lowest turnout rate in the General Elections of 2014, 2018, and 2022, compared to all other boroughs a trend mirrored in the 2024 Presidential Primary. Given the Bronx's existing marginalized status, having constituents absent at the polls only exacerbates its marginalization. 

Accessing the ANES 2024 Pilot Study's selected questions, utilizing shading and grouping features revealed intriguing findings. Most respondents were women from the South, aged around 61, with a high school education as the most common, followed by those with a four-year degree. Around 84.6% were registered voters, primarily female and conservative-leaning third-generation immigrants. Notably, when asked about abortion handling, the majority favored Democrats.  

This complex factor is that despite the city’s effort to promote voting through various tools, the actual turnout remains consistently low compared to the number of registered voters. To boost voter engagement, the city could consider reintroducing civic education into school curricula. For instance, understanding the three branches of power and acknowledging that for a bill to become law, it must receive approval from the House, Senate, and Presidency. 

Actively engaging in local assemblies and connecting with district representatives can also help foster change. Refusing to vote as a political statement not only weakens democracy but also undermines our fundamental freedom—the freedom to choose. Therefore, in this age of rampant misinformation and propaganda, it's more important than ever to fulfill our civic duty by voting.

Meridian Comic

Illustrated by: Deon Harrison

Acting a Fool: A Review of Love’s Labour’s Lost

By Steevens Salomon Remelus

BronxShakes’ recent Shakespeare performance ‘’Love’s Labour’s Lost’’  transports the audience into the Roaring Twenties, an era where we moved to the rhythm of jazz and flaunted our newly obtained wealth. This performance has a more lighthearted tone than "Romeo and Juliet," offering a comedy instead of a tragedy.

The production’s standout elements are the costume design by Anthony Paul-Cavaretta, singing by Mariah Eskoh, and the musical score and direction by Alyssa Van Gorder, co-directed by Anthony Paul-Cavaretta. Dresses manipulate the light to their favor, drawing attention with the complex bedazzled patterns, while the casual suits reek of sophistication, with a hint of fun.

The interplay between the two main groups – the King of Navarre and his lords, and the Princess of France and her ladies – creates a delightful contrast. The men struggle to renounce their love, alternating between shame and cooperation, while the women are giddy about their efforts and tease them a bit.   The natural environment of the Amphitheater enhanced the general intimacy of the event by engaging the crowd with the characters. Audience members were brought into the schemes, by reading notes or aiding in quests. According to Dante Albertie, the decision to encourage participatory theater was instinctually made by Alyssa Gorder to boost engagement and anticipation, taking away from the chasm of just sitting and watching and drawing in the whole audience (not just the first two rows).

There was such a childish realism to the performance. The characters mirror the first experiences of love – or rather a crush. It is something we are disgusted by and might try to rebuke. Love makes us do stupid things: act a fool, mock our lovers, try to do some grand gestures. But when love is true, there is no denying how we feel and how far we'd go—or rather, how far it'd take us.

As comedic as the play is, it leaves us with many questions about our lives. Are you interested in them and do you intend on putting your best foot forward? When a loved one passes away it leads us to many questions: Will we be able to continue to move forward so easily? Would that missing piece of us ever be filled again? Would we be able to stick by someone’s side, even if we feel alone?

For anyone considering future shows at Lehman, I'd highly recommend attending the ones closer to the night for the best immersion. Love's Labour's Lost is a beautiful comedy that highlights what love should be about, something that somewhat gets lost today.  This is what makes love so important: we never feel lonely, and we forever feel as if someone cares about us.

The Skin I'm In Book Review

By Amy Thompson 

The Skin I’m In is a young adult fiction novel by Sharon G. Flake. The main character, Maleeka, is a thirteen-year-old Black girl who faces relatable challenges: living in a low-income, single-parent household, experiencing bullying, and struggling with low self-esteem. This story follows Maleeka’s journey to self-acceptance. 

Flake’s vivid portrayal of Maleeka’s struggles deeply reflects the character’s insecurities: “It’s bad enough that I’m the darkest, worst-dressed thing in school. I’m also the tallest, skinniest thing you ever seen.” (Flake 4). This depiction does not shy away from the harsh reality of bullying and its impact on many young people.  

The author details Maleeka’s journey from trying to fit in to eventually realizing her self-worth. For example, Maleeka befriends a popular girl at school, Charlese, and goes to great lengths to fit in, even if it is destructive. The anxiety of going against whatever Charlese told her to do controls Maleeka. The author did a good job of representing the feeling of being trapped in an undesirable relationship due to fear. 

Miss Saunders Maleeka’s middle school teacher sets an example for Maleeka and the reader. Miss Saunders was aware of the ridicule and learned to accept her appearance: “It takes a long time to accept yourself for who you are. To see the poetry in your walk,” (Flake 19). Despite being treated like a spectacle her whole life, her character shows a level of self-acceptance that many people struggle to adopt. 

The Skin I’m In is multi-faceted and nevertheless relatable. When I read it, I could not put it down. It touches on important topics and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It can be inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking. The story has helped me realize that how you see yourself is more important than anyone else’s idea of who you are. 

This story is spectacular and empowering for anyone who can resonate with Maleeka’s character. It can even provide insight for those seeking a different perspective. I related to Maleeka’s character and was comforted by the feeling of not being alone. Flake stated in an interview with Pitt Magazine, “I get kids from all over seeing themselves in my novel because they know what it’s like to be different.” In conclusion, The Skin I’m In delivers the inspiring message that there is nothing wrong with being unique. 

Striking a Fulfilling Balance: Navigating College Life Successfully

By Pamela Duran

Imagine juggling a dozen balls in the air—each labeled with a responsibility like classes, homework, friends, work, and self-care—all while trying to maintain balance on a tightrope. For most college students, this is their reality. The challenge of managing academic and personal life can feel overwhelming, a complex act requiring both careful time management and unwavering dedication.

For many students, particularly those just starting their college journey or still struggling to find their footing, the balancing act can seem daunting. They are tasked with managing a wide array of commitments: attending classes, completing homework, meeting deadlines, participating in extracurriculars, working part-time jobs, and making time for friends and family. On top of all that, students must prioritize their physical and mental health, practice self-care, and maintain a consistent routine.

However, don't worry. There are ways to tackle these challenges effectively. Let’s explore some strategies that can help you confidently navigate your college experience, leaving you satisfied with your results.

First, as the semester progresses, students often face an ever-growing pile of homework and assignments. To manage time effectively, consider the following practical strategies: stay focused on your syllabus and professor's instructions. By staying aware of course requirements, you can gauge your workload early on and make informed decisions about dropping or switching classes if needed.

Next, setting reminders for tasks can also be helpful. Use digital calendars or phone alerts to stay organized. Find the method that best helps you keep track of assignments, deadlines, and study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique is another useful approach—set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on one task. Afterward, take a short break, and after four "pomodoros," take a longer break. This method helps maintain focus and avoid burnout.

In addition, time blocking can also be a valuable tool. Divide your day into dedicated time slots for specific tasks or subjects. For example, schedule 9-11 AM for math study and 1-3 PM for essay writing. This structured routine ensures balanced attention to all your academic needs. The key is to experiment with these techniques and find a combination that suits your personal study style and schedule.

Many students struggle to find enough time for all their responsibilities, but rest assured, 24 hours is enough—you just need to use it wisely. If you don't complete all your tasks in a single day, remember there’s always tomorrow. Avoid procrastination, but also don’t be too hard on yourself. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day, prioritize urgent tasks, and spread everything else throughout the week. When it's time to tackle each task, focus solely on it. If you can complete something ahead of schedule, do so. This forward-thinking mindset will help you stay on top of your workload.

Moreover, it's also important to regularly assess how you spend your time. Start by identifying activities that consume the most time and evaluate their importance. Ask yourself, "Am I striking a good balance between academics, social life, work, and extracurriculars?" If you are, take note of what’s working well. If not, consider what needs adjusting.

Over the moon, for students not new to college life, reflecting on how your approach to time management has evolved can be insightful. What strategies have you developed over time? What lessons have you learned along the way? Continual self-assessment is key to finding and maintaining balance throughout your college career. Don’t hesitate to seek campus resources if you need help fine-tuning your time management skills.

Additionally, it's important to recognize that college life, like any journey, has its challenging periods. Bad days, weeks, or even months are normal. When frustration builds, how you channel that energy can greatly impact your overall experience. Make time for mental health, even if it’s just five minutes a day. Self-care is essential, especially amid a busy schedule.

Experienced students remind us that maintaining balance is an ongoing process. As you move through your college career, you may occasionally lose sight of how capable you are, particularly during stressful times. Always be open to adapting your approach as needed. Flexibility is a powerful tool when juggling the different aspects of college life.

Setbacks are inevitable, but they are also opportunities for growth. By embracing challenges as learning experiences, you develop resilience and adaptability—traits that will serve you well beyond college. As you progress through your academic journey, continue reflecting on your experiences, remain open to new strategies, and utilize the support systems available on campus. This approach will help you cultivate a fulfilling college experience and prepare you for future challenges.

On the whole, if you ever find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to tap into Lehman College’s resources: the Wellness Center, located in the Old Gym Building, Room 007B; the Tutoring Center in Room 205; the CS Lab in Gillet Hall, Room 222; and the Career Exploration & Development Center in Shuster Hall, Room 254 (appointments required).

Ultimately, successfully managing college life is about finding a balance that works for you. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. College is a journey of self-discovery, time management, and personal growth. By embracing a flexible mindset and being open to change, you can thrive both academically and personally.

Dealing with AI at Lehman: AI’s impact on the educational system

By Brian Cortes

On November 30th, 2022, ChatGPT was released to the public, marking a significant milestone in the use of artificial intelligence. Since then, its rapid integration into both educational and professional environments has raised important questions about the role of AI in the future of learning. At Lehman College, students and professors alike have experienced firsthand the effects of AI on their daily routines, shaping differing opinions on how it should be used and what its implications could be for students' career paths. 

One such student is Ertis Pashako, a Lehman undergraduate majoring in Film and TV Studies with a concentration in TV. As both a student and freelance content creator, Ertis has witnessed how AI tools have significantly transformed his academic experience as well as his creative endeavors. Reflecting on this change, he observes, “A lot of apps started coming out for photographers where you can fix photos. Just swipe to go to Photoshop and zoom in. You don't fix it. Now you just have a regular app that you download, and you just transfer your photo over, and basically swipe it, and it fixes everything for you. And then stuff like ChatGPT came out, so everybody in school started using it to write their papers.” 

Above, this shift in workflow, from hands-on creative efforts to AI-driven automation, has led Ertis to a broader reflection on the pros and cons of AI in education. On one hand, AI provides powerful tools that can streamline the creative process, helping content creators and editors enhance their work more efficiently. On the other hand, the ease of access to such tools can inadvertently encourage students to cut corners, altering their mindset toward the effort they put into their work. Ertis notes, "I thought of many things. First, this is gonna help editors—once programs or apps get good at it—where you can just upload all your footage, and it does the editing for you, kind of mimicking your style of editing. So, this is gonna be great for content creators. Then there's the negative side, where people use it to cheat, and it makes people lazy. They’re not doing their own work, their own research. They're just typing stuff and getting automated answers, then copying and pasting." 

In the sky, as AI continues to weave itself into both the academic and personal lives of students, questions arise about the role educational institutions should play in this evolving landscape. Ertis advocates for colleges to incorporate AI into the curriculum—not as a substitute for personal effort, but as a tool to complement students’ learning. He emphasizes that while AI is relatively new, its influence will only grow, and schools need to stay ahead by educating students on how to use AI responsibly. “Maybe incorporate a little AI into what we're learning, teach us more about it. It's something very new that even schools and professors haven't picked up. Two years ago, there were few things like ChatGPT. So it had a bad reputation coming in. People were cheating and basically writing their papers, and professors, they didn't know at the time,” Ertis comments. He envisions a future where students learn how to use AI as an aid to their projects, rather than letting AI take control of their creative processes. 

However, students are not the only ones grappling with the ethical and practical implications of AI. Professors, too, are reflecting on how AI is impacting the educational system. Professor Margot Mifflin, who teaches courses on beauty pageants, national identity, and the publishing industry at Lehman, has seen AI affect student writing in real time. She recalls noticing the use of AI-generated work as early as the fall of 2022, pointing out how it often manifested in disjointed and erratic sentence structures that were noticeably different from typical student writing. “I saw it in the fall of last year, and it's sort of easy to detect, or it was then, because it scrambles sentences, and so, you know, a student might be writing and, suddenly there's a lesson on another topic, there's no flow in a way that I've never seen in student writing,” she explains.

For Mifflin, the issue extends beyond just catching AI-generated work; it’s about ensuring that students are developing their own writing skills. She highlights the importance of writing as a fundamental form of self-expression that is essential in both personal and professional contexts. “I think it's going to be harder for students who think they can rely on it. There's just so many parts of life where you have to be able to write, even if you're not an English major. Learning to write is learning to express yourself, and learning to express yourself is such an important part of our world in terms of connecting with other people and understanding them, and helping them understand us. So doing that yourself is pretty crucial for any person,” she adds. 

This concern is not just theoretical. Mifflin shares a personal anecdote in which her book, The Blue Tattoo, was used without her permission to train AI, raising ethical questions about the use of copyrighted work in AI training. "It was kind of jarring to discover that the text was used to feed the AI, and all the tropes and expressions and sentence structures were replicated so it could be reused and regurgitated when people want to compose something," she recounts. This raises broader concerns about the ethical use of AI, especially as more creative and academic content is fed into these systems, often without the original creators’ consent. 

In light of these developments, Mifflin advises students to resist the temptation to rely on AI for their academic work, urging them to reach out to professors for support if they feel uncertain about their skills. “I would say, try to resist the urge to use it. Because it's important for you to develop writing skills of your own. And if you feel the urge to use it because of pressure, like work pressure or insecurity about your writing skills, talk to your professor before you resort to using it. Find out how you can feel better about your own writing without using a crutch,” she advises. 

Ultimately, the debate surrounding AI in education is far from settled. As AI software becomes more advanced and harder to detect, schools will need to adapt continuously, finding ways to address the changing dynamics between students and AI. The discussion extends beyond just academic settings, as the same students who experiment with AI in school will likely encounter it in various professional fields, from literature and entertainment to STEM disciplines. 

Above all, the challenge for both students and educators will be to strike a balance between using AI as a helpful tool and maintaining the integrity of individual skills and creativity. As technology continues to evolve, the conversation surrounding AI will also need to expand, taking into account the long-term implications of its use. In the end, the key lies in learning how to use AI effectively—without letting it undermine the essential human effort and innovation that education is meant to foster. 

Basics of Financial Research using The Bloomberg Terminal

By Jahzanae Evans 

Attending this program with 8 fellow students shattered my understanding of the financial industry, revealing depth I never knew existed. I first heard about the course through my peer, Maria Campos, who shared the application link with me. Then, there was a group interview session, where I learned more about the program from Dr. Nunez-Torres, an Economics professor at Lehman. I remember back in the spring of 2024, I attended an event at the library, which served as a catalyst for my development in professional and academic settings. This was where I formally met Dr. Nunez-Torres and discovered the Bloomberg Terminal for the first time.

While I had my own personal doubts about my ability to succeed at something I was completely unaware of, from what I learned about Dr. Nunez-Torres, I knew that I would be in a safe environment to challenge myself. A few days after the interview, my application was accepted.  

The first three days were, frankly speaking, an overload of information, ranging from learning the basics of the Bloomberg Terminal to using those functions to find numbers and data to connect the dots about a company. A lot of the content was very unfamiliar to me, but there was no moment in time when I felt overwhelmed, in large part because of the support and guidance from my peers, who patiently helped me whenever I asked.

On June 12th, we met Connor Gustafson and Whitney Birtwell from the Wealth Strategy team at UBS and Lehman Alum Ira Cohen. We witnessed professionals in their field sell their stock to Mr. Cohen, who played the client in this hypothetical scenario. The stock in question was Amazon (AMZN), which we had spent the past few sessions familiarizing ourselves with by using the Bloomberg Terminal to identify critical factors and potential risks investors should be aware of.

After the presentation, we heard about Connor and Whitney’s respective career paths. We also got an insight into Mr. Cohen’s journey in his own business, highlighting how a research group is important to assess the risks of buying financial instruments. Before this program, I was unaware of the many different roles an individual could have, and the realization of how many paths someone’s story could take was a jolting one. The program itself had me questioning my own future, knowing that there was so much more to learn in the industry.

In the following sessions, our goal was to emulate Connor’s presentation using our own stock, Coca-Cola. Rather than being full of jacks of all trades and masters of none, we split up to research what we excelled in. By June 20th, we were as prepared as we were going to be. 

An interesting tidbit that increased the immersion was Mr. Cohen telling us that he works with UBS, who manages some of his accounts alongside some family members. He told us that Coca-Cola was already in his portfolio, but despite that, he said our presentation would have influenced him to buy the stock. 

This new program was made possible through a collaboration between several key figures and departments at Lehman. Dr. Nunez-Torres, who nurtured this vision for many years, had attempted to launch a similar program with the help of a former sponsor, but unfortunately, it did not come to fruition. However, his persistence in creating an experiential course remained strong, which led to the program being recognized in the form of a scholarship. It was designed not only to reward academic excellence but to address a critical issue for many students – the lack of time and resources to explore the wide variety of career opportunities available within the finance industry. Thus, BBA 206-Basics of Financial Research was created.

Dr. Nunez-Torres informed me that the program's success was far from a solo effort. The Dean of Lehman’s School of Business, Dene Hurley, made it possible for the program to run as smoothly as it did. Advisors from the School of Business, Deirdre Constant and Griselda Poe, worked tirelessly to inform students of the program through outreach. Additionally, the library staff played an essential role in having the Bloomberg Lab open for us. This collection of people created the foundation necessary for the program to thrive. 

As an alum of Lehman College, Mr. Cohen is deeply committed to giving back to the college. His desire to support future generations of students, especially those within the finance industry, made the program possible. Listening to him talk about his personal journey with his own company was inspirational, and the feedback he gave us after our presentation towards the conclusion of the program was invaluable.  

I interviewed some of my fellow classmates, and hearing some of their takeaways from the shared experience was enlightening. Each of these takeaways highlighted different aspects of our personal and professional growth.  

Wadah Rajeh's hands-on experience with researching and analyzing company data gave him crucial skills in navigating the Bloomberg Terminal, an essential tool in the finance industry. 

Jose Meza emphasized the broader scope of the finance world, stating that it extends far beyond textbook studies. He came to the realization that much of the success in finance comes from the relationships and the experiences built through daily work. In his words, “Finance is a vast world full of many surprises and connections.” 

Curtis Asante, another participant, echoed these sentiments, sharing how this experience gave him a glimpse into the work environment he wishes to enter after graduating. “This program impacted me a lot. I met people I never would have met in the first place. Gaining those connections helps us learn how to navigate the finance and business world a little better.”  

When I interviewed Dr. Nunez-Torres, I asked him how he believes the course will impact students as they go on through college and into their careers. He emphasized the importance of experiential learning and the confidence gained from providing a unique environment for students to test their abilities in a real-world setting.   

As student interviewees told us, this enhanced their understanding of financial research because the program was designed for them to see firsthand what it would be like to commit to researching a stock and presenting it to a real investor. This level of engagement is difficult to replicate in a traditional academic setting. 

BBA 206 was far more than a course—it was a transformative experience that opened doors and provided insights many of us did not know were possible at Lehman. This program is a testament to what can be achieved when passionate students, faculty, and alumni collaborate with a shared vision for student success.  

As a final word, the most important advice I can offer is to never underestimate the power of getting involved beyond the classroom. I cannot stress this enough: take full advantage of Lehman's resources and support because you never know which opportunity might shape your future.  

Brandon Marks Student Experience

Where to begin? I never would’ve imagined everything I gained from coming to Lehman College. From my background in basketball, which drew me to enroll here, to all the friends who have become like family, to the countless life lessons I’ll be able to carry with me forever.

College is what you make out of it. For the first couple of years, it was rough for my generation due to COVID-19; no one was on campus, and besides having basketball, it didn’t feel like the real “college experience.” I would say around my mid-sophomore/junior year is when my real college experience started and it's been somewhat unique.

 We don’t have dorms, and not many parties/hangouts, it’s different than what you would expect in college growing up. Truth be told, it was exactly what I needed: a place to focus on school, play basketball, limit distractions, and grow as an individual.

I faced many challenges at Lehman, mainly balancing school and playing Division 3 basketball, but honestly, it has shaped my life for the better. My coach told me it was better that I went to Lehman and dealt with all these struggles rather than being spoiled at a Division 1 program and overwhelmed with all the challenges that life throws you. 

For the last few years, our team motto has been that ‘we need to adapt and overcome,’ and I’ve done exactly that. I came into Lehman as a boy and will soon be leaving a man. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Everyone there wants you to succeed. No one's going to do it for you, but they’re by your side if you need them. This year will be my final year at Lehman. The only thing I need is a CUNYAC championship, and then I’ll finally be satisfied. Shoutout to my teammates on the men’s basketball team and to all my coaches and the staff who make what we do possible! 

Navigating the Dual Challenge of College Life and Athletics

By: Adolfo Miliano

The life of a college student can get rather hectic when you combine school, work, friends, and personal matters. You must learn how to manage your time well to deal with everything and, if possible, have time for yourself and relax. But what if you add sports to the equation? Apart from dealing with the matters already stated, student-athletes have to include sports in their busy schedule. That means adding practice, game days, and longer commuting hours for away games. How do they manage it? What or who helps them keep track of everything? Does it ever get easier? Some Lehman athletes spoke about their experiences and the strategies they implemented to help them handle their busy agenda.

	Emmanuel Oladosu, a senior student-athlete who plays on the Men’s Volleyball team for Lehman College, joined the team in the Fall semester of 2021 and has been a part of the team since. On top of academics and Volleyball, Oladosu also works part-time in IT support at MetLife Stadium during the weekends. Oladosu revealed various strategies he implements to balance sports and academics simultaneously. He mentioned how he takes advantage of the off-season to take more classes to work towards his Computer Science degree and fewer classes during the Volleyball season to be able to make it to practice and games. He also mentions that this is an approach many other student-athletes take as well. “In order to play, you need to take 12 credits minimum,” Oladosu mentions. “Last year, I took about 18 credits in the Fall [of 2023], and in the Spring [of 2024] I took 12 credits.” 

Knowing what to prioritize is also crucial to having a cohesive schedule. In Oladosu’s case, choosing the right professor for his classes is his top priority. “If there’s a professor that’s really good, and I know I’m going to learn best from that professor, I’m probably going to take that class,” he said. “I want to have a good GPA. Computer Science is such a competitive market, and once I graduate, I’m going to be in that field. I don’t want to be stuck.” Being a student-athlete is not only about being good at sports. A good academic record is needed for students to be eligible to play for any sports team in CUNY, with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA average required.

When asked about the hardest part of balancing everything out, Oladosu revealed that the mental aspect plays a big role in student-athlete's mind. “Having doubts like ‘Am I good enough?’ or ‘What if I fail?’ or even developing your own career can occur. What if I don’t build the career I want for myself?” he pointed out. Oladosu expressed that as much as he loves the sport and representing the school team, he constantly thinks about his life after college. He prioritizes his academics over sports to make sure he has a proper foundation to become successful in the future. “I don’t want to have this ‘prime’ of my life in college, and then after graduation, I’m working minimum wage, living check to check.” Ultimately, Oladosu shared a piece of advice that all student-athletes should follow. “Truly do your best,” he expressed. “Put in 100% effort in everything you do so that you won’t have any regrets later on like ‘I could’ve done better,’ because those regrets stick with you.” 

	Patria Sanchez, one of the captains of the Women’s Softball team at Lehman College, shared her experiences about being a student-athlete. Sanchez is a junior student-athlete majoring in Exercise Science and is also enrolled in a work-study program on campus. Sanchez had connections with Dily Felix, the assistant coach of the Softball team, before joining the team in her freshman year. She talked about some similar strategies to Emmanuel Oladosu’s, like taking classes in the morning in order to make it to practice and taking advantage of the off-season to work on her Exercise Science degree as she has more time to do so during the Fall semester. Sanchez opened up about her struggles in her first semester as she was adjusting to college life.“My first semester as a freshman, I fell below a 2.0, so I wasn’t able to play in the Spring,” she confessed. “I fought for my grades because I thought that I could’ve done better. I was able to bring it to a 2.0, and I was eligible to play. I think that is something that happens to freshmen- it gets overwhelming.” She talked about how the transition from high school to college can be challenging for student-athletes as they have the pressure of maintaining a 2.0 GPA to be part of the team. She also expressed how it has gotten more manageable through time.“Me, being in my third year of college, I already know how to adjust my schedule. I know the timing of when to attend  practice when to study…” Sanchez spoke about being a captain of the Softball team and her relationship with the rest of the players. Having prior experience as a captain with her travel team, the Lady Twins, she already knew how to take on the role of a leader within the team. “I brought the same attitude and leadership skills from the Lady Twins and brought into Lehman,” she said. “I don’t see ‘captain’ as just one person. ‘Captain’ can be anybody; leadership skills can come from anybody.” She emphasizes how important it is for the team to trust and rely on each other and how she doesn’t view herself as the main person on the team. “Being able to turn to each other to speak about certain issues they are not comfortable with the coaches is something that I love that they do.”

Student-athletes, just like any regular student, have to excel in their academics to obtain their pursued degrees. However, they also have the extra responsibility of their respective sports. Oladosu and Sanchez showed us a glimpse of what a student-athlete goes through and how they manage to fit sports into their already busy schedule. Knowing how to manage your time is crucial for student-athletes as sports commitments can take up most of their time throughout the week. Representing your team, however, makes all those hours of practice worth it in the end.

Need an internship? The New York Jobs CEO Council is here to help.

By Emmanuel Okoli

I recently had a conversation with a student in one of my classes who hadn’t had an internship yet, which nearly resulted in me raving about this organization that I recently learned about. The organization had been involved throughout the semester, bringing KPMG (a top-four accounting firm) CEO Paul Knopp to speak on the Lehman campus. 

They’re called the New York Jobs CEO Council, and I’ve recently had the opportunity to see just how influential and impactful this organization is.  

On August 21st, I had the chance to attend a US Open exclusive event hosted by the New York Jobs CEO Council at the largest tennis organization in the world, Arthur Ashe Stadium, in Queens. There, I conversed with job recruiters, the managing director, and senior associates and learned about the work of the New York CEO Council and how they got to where they are. 

New York Jobs CEO Council

The New York Jobs CEO Council is committed to creating economic opportunities in New York City and beyond, focusing on bridging the skills gap and fostering a diverse workforce. Led by influential CEOs from some of the world’s most prominent companies, the Council has pledged to connect 100,000 New Yorkers, including 25,000 CUNY students, to quality jobs by 2030.  

So far, they’ve helped 7,634 CUNY graduates get hired into family-sustaining entry-level roles and enabled 2,313 CUNY students to get paid internships.  

How do they do this? 

They offer resources like resume and cover letter templates, and events. 

“We want to act as a student resource,” said Niezum Ahmed, a Baruch College graduate interning as a multimedia intern for the New York Jobs CEO Council. “We want to direct you to where you need to go and help prepare you to become career-ready.” 

As I talked with the organization, one thing that kept coming up was its Talent Network, which recently offered students an opportunity to attend an industry trek with Bloomberg, with professionals who spoke about their journeys to Bloomberg. 

The Talent Network is a one-stop shop for much of what the New York Jobs Council has to offer. 

Why it matters to students 

Lehman College has one of the most diverse college communities, with 55% of the community being Hispanic or Latino and 25.4% Black or African American, according to an article by DataUSA. However, this demographic is often underserved and underrepresented, especially in the job market. The New York Jobs CEO Council is looking to help change that. 

“We talk a lot about representation. Representation is the catalyst of our organization. We want to be able to showcase to New Yorkers and, specifically, CUNY students, [...] that you can make it.” says Niezum. “I mean, that’s in our tagline. [...] Because it’s true. It doesn’t matter who you are, what type of background you have, if you grew up with all the resources, or if you didn’t grow up with any resources [...]. We offer opportunities for everyone.” 

Speaking of under-representation, Lehman students can utilize this opportunity to get their name, and Lehman’s, out there, which is why Daniella joined, a sophomore majoring in accounting and Lehman’s New York Jobs Council Ambassador. “People sleep on Lehman so much, and I’m like, Baruch isn’t the only one that can give you these freaking prodigies. Other schools can produce good kids, not only one.” 

The New York Jobs CEO Council offers internships, networking opportunities with CEOs via their talent portal, and access to top recruiters. 

The deal with Internships 

I wouldn’t want to be another broken record, but internships are extremely important to college students. 

The unemployment rate of students with versus without internships is massive, especially those in social work and computer science. The New York Jobs CEO Council is a way to get internships so no one gets left behind in the job market. 

“The way I would describe [New York Jobs CEO Council] is a resource,” said Niezum. Utilizing these resources can mean earnings of 6% more than those who don’t. 

Internships are crucial to today’s college-to-workforce pipeline. Depending on the major, students with internships are 6% to 20% more likely to be employed than students without, resulting in more work experience that can lead to greater work competence, job satisfaction, and higher earnings. 

As students, we are responsible for utilizing these opportunities to build ourselves to compete in an ever-competitive work landscape. 

A message to those without 

I had a conversation with a terrified senior about graduating because they didn’t have any internships. They had jobs, sure, but no job experience directly related to their desired career. Niezum has something to say to them. 

“It’s never too late,” she says. “Your career journey is going to be different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. You should never feel shameful about that; if anything, you should celebrate wherever you are in your career journey.” 

Daniella also concurs. “Don’t be scared. The worst that can happen is the answer is ‘no’, but rejection is just redirection. You can’t be scared when it comes to your career because you have to take risks in life, and your career will be one of those.” 

Many of the students in the New York Jobs Council’s talent network are also financially supporting their families, working numerous jobs, or can’t work numerous jobs because they need to focus on their studies. The organization is a resource that enables students to pursue opportunities at any point. 

Making an impact 

The New York Jobs CEO Council’s Industry Trek (@nyjobsceocouncil Instagram) 

Want to be part of the New York Jobs CEO Talent Network? 

​​​All you have to do is sign up on the organization’s website.  

1. Go to nyjobsceocouncil.org 

2. Visit their Jobs Seekers page  

3. Select the Talent Network Portal and sign up 

Also, follow them on Instagram @nyjobsceocouncil and on LinkedIn at New York Jobs CEO Council. 

The Importance of Financial Literacy Among College Students

By Sarah  Elabid

Learning about financial literacy early on sets students up for a successful future. When it comes to practical financial skills, students should learn about budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and managing debt. These skills will help them make informed decisions, avoid financial pitfalls, and prepare for a successful financial future.

College students often make a few common financial mistakes. When it comes to financial pitfalls, students can sometimes fall into the trap of overspending on unnecessary things, not budgeting, misusing their credit cards, and not saving enough. Additionally, many college students aren’t informed on terms like, interest rates, and repayment options when it comes to paying for their college tuition.

“While being at Lehman, I had a lot of friends who were going into debt while applying for their student loans process or overspending with credit cards. They did not know how to manage their expenses.” An economics major, Juan Santos mentioned in an interview with the Meridian.

Given that college is a significant financial investment, students must become knowledgeable about selecting loans that will not negatively impact their credit score. This can be achieved by learning about interest rates and repayment alternatives.

According to polls conducted by NEFE and AmeriSpeak, “80% said they wish they were required to take a semester or year-long financial education course during high school.” Financial literacy not being taught in schools is a missed opportunity. Because of this, in recent years there has been a push to include this knowledge in the high school curriculum.

This article from The Hill states that financial literacy courses will soon be offered for kindergarten through twelfth grade in 25 states. While the programs are still being implemented in 17 of those states, eight are already offering them. “85% of U.S. high school students say that they are interested in learning about financial topics in school, and 95% of students who currently receive financial curriculum find it helpful,” according to the Intuit Financial Education survey.

In addition to how to manage finances responsibly and understanding student loans, tax literacy is a crucial life skill that will be useful for students to acquire while in school and throughout their lifetimes. Learning about taxes can go on to help students understand how that system works and can help students navigate their financial responsibilities as they start earning more income.  

A great place to start learning about finances is by reading books or articles on personal finance. There are also online resources and Lehman courses available, such as BBA 204 and BBA 207 that cover topics like budgeting, saving, investing, and much more. Additionally, you can reach out to financial institutions or organizations that offer financial literacy programs for students.

“There is nobody in the finance field who is an expert in everything. Everyone I know in this field is constantly learning and educating themselves. It is important to keep learning either through courses here at Lehman, other sources of information online, books, or webinars to upskill your knowledge.” says Assistant Professor Dr. Stein Smith.

For those who are not accounting or economics majors, the Financial Learning Group is a fantastic way for students to grow their financial knowledge here at Lehman College. The Financial Learning Group was established by Lehman College students to encourage and educate their peers to manage and build their wealth responsibly. This club meets weekly on Wednesdays in the Bloomberg Lab of the Leonard Lief Library, from 4 PM to 5 PM.

 Racielly Mella, a biology major states, “As a chemistry major, FLG has allowed me to have access to information that I would otherwise have to pay for or just not have enough time for. I consider the club a haven for learning just about anything that has to do with finance. The club is a true gem and I feel like there truly is a place for everyone there.”

The club covers a wide range of subjects, including investing, tax planning, wise budgeting, mastering credit card rewards programs and debt management. They also have offered students an introduction to cryptocurrencies and bitcoin investing, and are always accessible to help with any financial queries you may have.

Amira Mustapha: Renaissance Woman

Amira Mustapha 

(Photo Credit: Michael Martinez) 

By Ja-el-Lucina Dozier 

When searching for your artistic voice, studying the work of other artists can inspire, new ideas and broaden your perspective. Amira Mustapha, a Ghanaian-American, Bronx-based artist, producer, writer, Founder, and Executive Director of Art Defined Productions, Inc., is a renaissance woman whose magic seems to be everywhere, producing art across multiple genres and supporting her community. Ms. Mustapha was gracious enough to sit down with the Meridian to chat about her artistic journey and give aspiring entrepreneurs some insights on starting their journies.  

Can you tell us a bit about your origin story as an artist? 

I’ve always been interested in the arts whether it was writing, singing, acting, all those things. But growing up, as a first-generation student, I was told, “That’s not something you do. You go to school to become a doctor, a nurse, something more solid.” But then I started taking theatre classes here and fell in love with it. Realizing that this was something you could do for a living and make money from it was something I didn’t know was possible before college. 

Did you get both your BA & MA from Lehman?  

Yes! The Bachelor is in Theatre with a minor in Psychology. And when I first graduated from undergrad, I said I’d never go back to school. But then my boss Henry Ovalles (Associate Director of Lehman Stages) mentioned a new one-year Master’s program in Organizational Leadership. Having that as a Master’s gives me the tools to step back, look at things objectively, make revisions, and strengthen my company. To this day, I still go back to those notes, especially when I’m feeling stuck.  

You’re also the Director of Production Services at Lehman Stages. What are some of the other things you’ve been known to do?  

So backstage, I do lighting design, stage management, and tech for live shows. I’ve also recently acted in a play that I wrote for the Framing the Female Gaze exhibition at the Lehman Art Gallery. My play, Adulting, was based on when my father passed. It was kind of therapeutic because it was a way to deconstruct the world around me and put those thoughts out there so that they wouldn’t overwhelm me. And then we did the web series #30theseries. I wrote that with my best friend Cristy Reynoso and it was a lot of learning. It was crazy but it was fun. 

Because you had to wear a ton of hats for the web series?  

Yes! We were producing, writing, directing, doing our camera work, lighting, postproduction, and promotion.  It was hard, but it was a great experience. That’s what I love about art. 

How long had you been working on the concept before you were able to finally get into shooting the principal photography?  

Even before we got into the arts, me and Cristy were always able to write ourselves as characters in a story. In 2019, we decided to produce a story based on ghetto adulting. Shooting started in Spring 2022. And we were done in three months. 

Poetic Affair	

      (Photo Credits: Gabriela Garcia)		

#30sTheSeries 

(Photo Credit: Richard Acevedo, Jr) 

Circling back to your non-profit company, Art Defined Productions, Inc., what was your inspiration for founding your organization?  

I needed it to exist. When I was a student here, we had so many ideas and dreams. But then we graduate, and it’s so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of New York. I saw a lot of people start to slowly move away from the arts. And I was like, “No! We went to school for this!” So I started Art Defined as a way to bring people together. Not just friends of mine but also people who were like us, who needed support and a space to continue dreaming.  

You founded Art Defined in 2010. What was it like getting started; finding founding members, trying to get funding, and getting it registered as a non-profit?  

It was difficult and it took some time. I wanted to have everything set before I did my first show. Starting, I did a lot of research on books that gave me step-by-step guidelines on the company paperwork. And I wanted to figure it out myself so that I wouldn’t have to worry about being taken advantage of by an umbrella company. Umbrella companies usually take ten percent of everything a startup earns. After we got our incorporated status, we did our first Poetic Affair as an open mic showcase and fundraiser for the 501c3 application. Once we got our non-profit status in 2013, that made us eligible to get grants. But the paperwork is a lot simpler now than it was back then when you had to mail in hard copies to Albany.  

How has Art Defined evolved from the first production to now?  

Art Defined needed to pause in 2015 so that I could figure out its direction. Then when I graduated from the master's program three years later, I revived the company, gave it a new life, and strengthened its conviction. Then when the pandemic happened, we were able to have access to a lot more people, foundations, and opportunities virtually. Even though it’s based in the Bronx, the goal is for it to grow and go into other underserved communities around the world. And I was able to start that over the pandemic. Because we did our workshops online, we were getting people from the UK, Africa, Australia, etc. And many of the people who connected with us over the shutdown still come to our workshops now. It’s a space for artists to grow, have community, thrive, and make connections.  

How do you choose your team?  

It varies from year to year. When it began, I did a lot of the work on my own. But I’m surrounded by creatives at Lehman, and I would go to specific people for specific things based on the project. I would go to people and ask them, “How can we bring your dream to life.?” Then I started partnering with other organizations to get interns. Now I find that I’ve been doing a lot more networking through the events that I host. 

How do you start to look for grants? Were you doing that before your 501c3 status?  

A friend suggested that I apply for a grant through The Bronx Council of the Arts. They aim to support organizations in the Bronx. But I didn’t start to get huge grants until the pandemic actually, like the Rockefeller Fund.  

Tell us a bit more about the programming over at Art Defined and how that’s evolved through the years.  

The base has always been literary and performing arts. Even though performing arts was my first love, the writing workshops were always a part of the plan. Writing feeds that creative side of me more than just journaling. So in the beginning was Poetic Affair, our most consistent program. Next, we did a few plays. Then our writing workshops started in 2018 at the library. When we moved online, we expanded to poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting. Last year, we got our DOE (Department of Education) license so that we could work on school programming to encourage the younger students. 

What has been the most challenging thing about the Poetic Affair productions?  

Consistency. We started once a year. Then it became quarterly. Now it’s monthly.   

So what’s next?  

Sustainability through fundraising! I need Art Defined to outlive me. Poetic Affair is our poetry night that happens every third Wednesday of the month.  Except this month it will be on May 22nd. And we have our workshops every Sunday from 2 pm - 4 pm. We promote everything on our Instagram. www.instagram.com/artdefinedinc/  

Poetic Affair features a versatile casting process. In addition to spoken word, featured artists can also sing, dance, perform magic, etc. Visit their website for more information about upcoming events. https://www.artdefined.org 

Follow Amira Mustapha: 

https://www.instagram.com/aquarianmuse19/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amira-mustapha 

https://amiramustapha1.wixsite.com/my-site 

Checkout Amira’s Web Series:  

https://www.youtube.com/@30stheseries 

Presenting: The 2nd Annual CUNY Beat Battle

By Jamal Weekes and Brian Cortes 

On Tuesday, April 15th we met with the Lehman College Audio Club to learn more about the upcoming Beat Battle on May 7th. The Beat Battle is a yearly event produced by Lehman College, The Multi-Media Center, Hostos Community College, and Laguardia Community College all broadcasted by the BronxNet. The event kicks off with an introduction from the judges and all competitors from the schools involved. Students from each CUNY school then present their team of 6 as they make their way to the Multi-Media Center’s audio room.    

Competing students from both schools have 45 minutes to create a beat using the several samples provided. Sampling is a music technique that incorporates pieces of existing recordings into a new creation. This method has been used since the 70s and is widely renowned in Hip Hop for the countless records and songs that have utilized it.   

This year the Lehman College Audio Club went up against both Hostos Community College and LaGuardia Community College to see who can produce the best beat in the time given. This year, each team is granted 45 minutes to create a beat while deriving inspiration from the ten samples given. In the end, winners receive prizes for first, second, and third place with the first-place winner receiving a special grand prize by SweetWater.  

Before the event,  Giancarlo Esposito, the Vice President of The Lehman College Audio Club, expressed what goals he had in mind for the event, “[I want] to showcase our skills and what we can provide as an exercise to help us network with other artists.” 

Giancarlo went on to explain the future of the Audio Club, “We want to collaborate with other clubs to bring back more on-campus events [for our club] to boost engagement and fun for everyone.” In hosting the Beat Battle Lehman’s Audio Club seeks to gain new members and hopes it will open the door for future collaborations with other clubs for the fall semester. New members are welcome to join with no experience required and will be able to participate in the event next year! 

When discussing the Beat Battle event, Oliver, a senior majoring in Media Communications, along with other members explained their reasons for being involved in the Audio Club. 

“I have a lot of interest in playing digital music and in music production, it's something that I'm very passionate about and I want to be able to collaborate with people who have that same interest.” 

The Lehman Audio Club has worked their craft for a while, practicing and honing their production skills. This Beat Battle event serves as a platform where they can demonstrate what they’ve learned over time and all the experiences they’ve shared. 

When asked what the best takeaway was from being a participant in the event, Oliver responded, “You could say working under pressure [...]  there are so many things going on in your mind. It’s the amount a lot of pressure put on a person to make the best beat possible under a time crunch” 

Finally, while speaking on what a spectator should take away from the experience of attending, Oliver continued, “It's a vibe in a sense. You get to hear different sounds and beats from different genres that you might be interested in and get a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite songs on the radio are made.” 

The CUNY Beat Battle was an outrageous success. With Lehman College as the winner in the end. An exciting competition from start to finish, with appearances from Hip-Hop legends Melly Mel and Denzil Porter. 

The Audio Club is welcoming anyone with any interest in music or audio production. Even if you aren’t a music major or minor, they create a space where you can communicate, and work with other individuals who share the same enthusiasm for the process. You can support Oliver, who participated in the CUNY beat battle @Ollie050502. Additionally, you can show your support for the other Lehman contestants by following them on their social media @lehman_audioclub.