28 April 2025                                           News Editor Jane Weiss

Book Talk by Prof. Amy Karp: 30 April 2025 11:30-1 V219 & Zoom

Prof. Amy Karp will be giving a book talk focusing on her recent publication, Queer Jewish Strangers in American Popular Culture. This talk is part of KCC’s Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CDLE) initiative and will take place in a hybrid format. To join via Zoom, use the meeting ID: 8470770 7765 passcode: 342670.

Ad-Hoc Committee on AI Meeting: 1 May 2025 3:00 in C330

A Message from Anthony Iantosca:         

                The first meeting of the ad hoc AI committee will take place on May 1st at 3 PM in C330. We will discuss the goals of the group, its possible role and function in our department, and its potential for professional development through collective readings on emerging AI scholarship. We can also discuss other concerns and goals as they come up. I look forward to seeing you all there! For more information, contact Anthony at [email protected].

KCC Commencement Wednesday 18 June 2025 10 AM at the Coney Island Amphitheatre

                John Keller is the English department’s official commencement liaison, and Kingsborough Community College is gearing up for an exciting 60th AnniversaryGraduation Ceremony to be held this year at the Coney Island Amphitheatre on June 18th @ 10 AM. In the next few weeks, John will send out an RSVP form that faculty will be required to fill out in order to enter the venue.

                A few other important details: The website is now open to order or rent regalia/gowns: facultydirect.herffjones.com. Orders are due by May 1st, and can be picked up on campus on June 3rd at no additional charge.           

                The committee is looking for faculty volunteers for 1) student cap and gown and ticket distribution beginning June 3rd, and in the days following; 2) graduation day, to help with the check-in process and 3) to act as marshals (ushers) during the ceremony. If you’re interested in serving the college in this capacity, or if you have questions or comments, please reach out to John at  [email protected].

Good News:

                Cheryl Hogue Smith will be one of the next coeditors of Teaching English in the Two-Year College (TETYC), a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and Two-Year College Association (TYCA).  Her first TETYC issue as coeditor will publish in September 2026 and conclude with the May 2031 issue.

New KCC Library Resource: Libby Reading App

                KCC’s library is launching a new pilot program in partnership with the Libby app—making us the first college in CUNY to do so! With Libby, you can now borrow a wide range of ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines—completely free, anytime and anywhere. All you need is your CUNYFirst credentials (SSO login) to access the collection on your phone, tablet, or computer. Getting started is easy: Download the Libby app from your device’s app store; open the app and search for [Kingsborough Community College]; sign in using your CUNY-First credentials and start exploring. Or access directly via: https://libbyapp.com/library/kbcc . Need help? Visit the reference desk in the library or chat with librarians online at library.kbcc.cuny.edu.   

A Note about the Newsletter

A message from Jane Weiss, News editor: 

           The next newsletter will come out on Monday 7 May 2025. Send items to be included by Friday 2 May 2025 to Jane Weiss at [email protected]. Please keep items brief (preferably 100 or fewer words). Longer items will be abridged. Many faculty members would like to learn more about colleagues’ areas of scholarship, so if you would like to share what you’re working on, the Newsletter will welcome descriptions of your research and recent or upcoming presentations, publications, performances, and creative achievements of all kinds.