Queensborough Community College: More than 15,000 students come to Queensborough Community College each year from across NYC as well as 140 countries of origin. Almost half are foreign-born, and 46% speak a language other than English at home. QCC is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS). The college’s academic programs are renowned across the city and state and, in several cases, nationwide. Twelve years ago QCC instituted the Queensborough Academies in order to enhance student success and graduation rates. The academies follow the pathways model and includes enhanced personal academic advisement and student support, co-curricular activities, and the inclusion of High Impact Practices (HIPs) in the classroom.
Queensborough Community College Team
Professor
Dr. Marchese has taught at Queensborough Community College for over 20 years. Dr. Marchese’s current research interest includes studying hypoxia in Long Island Sound, climatology, and the composition of the solar wind. A native of Queens, he graduated with a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. After working in industry as an engineer for several years he returned to school to get a master’s degree, and eventually a doctorate in Geosciences from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Academy Advisement Manager, STEM Academy
Scott Beltzer is the STEM Academy Lead Adviser at Queensborough Community College. For the past 10 years, he has worked closely with advising all STEM Academy students and connecting them to various support services on campus. During this time, he has also developed a good rapport with many Faculty members associated with STEM Academy. In this capacity, he and the STEM faculty members have worked cohesively in promoting many STEM related events and workshops to all of our students.
ASAP Advisor
Victoria O'Shea has been an ASAP Advisor at Queensborough Community College since 2012, who primarily works with students pursuing degrees in the Health Sciences. Prior to that she has worked at both Queensborough Community College and LaGuardia Community College in the admissions, advisement, and testing offices and has been employed by CUNY since 2001. Victoria joins the Community College Compass Project with her extensive relationships with faculty and staff in the science departments at Queensborough and her work on many extracurricular activities designed to improve interest and retention rates for students. In addition, Victoria has also worked part-time as an Outpatient Substance Abuse Counselor since 2001 and is a Master CASAC through New York State. She holds a dual Master's of Education degree in Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counseling and School Guidance Counseling.