January Academy will take place on January 18 and 19, 2023 and will be held over Zoom and in-person at Macaulay Honors College. Zoom links will be sent out after registration.
Registration is open!
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Workshops (Click title to read description)
Resting Stitch Face: Embroidery Workshop, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 10:00am-11:40am
Instructor: Kelly O’Donnell, Director of Science Forward, Macaulay Honors College
Come get crafty at our intro to embroidery workshop! Gather some basic supplies and join us to get started with this classic needlework technique. You’ll learn basic stitches and techniques so you can begin making beautiful creations.
At minimum, you will need these items: embroidery hoop, needles, floss, scissors, and a piece of fabric. You probably have a pair of scissors at home and your fabric really can be anything: old clothes, sheets, pillowcases, tote bags, etc. Try to find something woven rather than knit to work on. You will likely have to buy the hoop, needles, and floss. We have some suggestions for those individual items, as well as some suggestions for kits that come with everything you need (including fabrics with patterns on them that you can follow). YOU DO NOT NEED EVERYTHING LISTED BELOW IN THE EQUIPMENT LIST; just pick the item (or items) that will give you the basics (hoop, needles, floss, and fabric and scissors (if needed).
| ITEM | LINK FOR PURCHASE |
| Basic kit with pattern (basic pattern) | Bucilla Stamped Embroidery Kit Pocket Posies |
| Basic kit with pattern (more complex pattern) | Beginner Embroidery Kit |
| Build your own kit (blank cross stich fabric) | Build Your Own Embroidery Starter Kit |
| Kit with three patterns | Embroidery Starter Kit for Beginners |
| Expensive Kit (two towels, high quality materials)/td> | The Ultimate Embroidery Kit |
 Dr. Kelly O’Donnell |
About the Instructor: Kelly O’Donnell is the Director of Science Forward at Macaulay Honors College. She oversees scientific programing and academics for Macaulay. Dr. O’Donnell also regularly teaches one of the Science Forward seminars and occasionally teaches upper level courses such as Ecological Change & Human Disease and Detecting Bullshit in the Modern Age. Before coming to Macaulay, Dr. O’Donnell completed a teaching post-doc at Columbia University. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University and a BS in Biology from Cornell University. Her academic interests are in botany, urban ecology, citizen/community science, and invasive plant evolution. Her non-academic interests include embroidery, trapeze, and Star Trek. |
Makeup for Zoom and Beyond, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 10:00am-11:15am
Instructor: Amanda Hick, Assistant to the CAO, Macaulay Honors College
I invite you to join me for a makeup session that will help you find your inner and outer beauty! Whether you’re putting on makeup for personal enjoyment, an interview, or a glamorous night out…. I will show you tips and tricks! You can follow along if you have makeup, or simply watch and enjoy. All are welcome!!
 Amanda Hick |
About the Instructors: The most recent winner of the Wagner Society of New York’s Ursula Springer Award, soprano Amanda Zory has an exciting 2022-2023 season lined up. Return performances with the Chamber Music Society of New York’s Fall Festival, The Metropolitan Opera Guild of Lincoln Center, Association of Classical Musicians and Artists at Carnegie Hall, and concerts with the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts in AZ. Amanda specializes in dramatic soprano repertoire of Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, and Puccini. Additionally, she is a part of “Duo Chux”, a new music ensemble which premieres and commissions works by living composers. To read more, please visit https://www.amandazory.com/ |
'Make It Quick' A Creative Writing Workshop Exploring Short Fiction, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 11:30am-12:45pm
Instructor: Cameron Stewart, Student Writing Specialist, Macaulay Honors College
Have all your stories been snoring lately? Are you looking for prose that’s sudden and daring? Welcome to the world of flash-fiction! Together, we will explore short stories 1,000 words or less in length, then try writing one of our own. This is a low-stakes invitation to all who are looking to get creative. All writers, new and experienced, are welcome.
| About the Instructor: Cameron Stewart is the Student Writing Specialist at Macaulay. He’s excited to help you hone your writing voice and maybe discover your next favorite author. |
Jewelry Making with Beads, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Wednesday, January 18 at 11:30am-12:45pm
Instructor: Charmain Liddelow, Special Events & Alumni Relations Manager, Macaulay Honors College
Have fun learning a new hobby! Beaded jewelry have been around since ancient times and have been adorned by people from all cultures. Beads represented power, wealth, and spirituality; were used in rituals, ceremonies and also as a form of currency. No prior skills needed. Learn the basics to design and make your own jewelry from a necklace, bracelet and earrings. Express your creativity and make handmade custom pieces for friends, family or potential customers.
All supplies will be provided.
| About the Instructor: Charmain has been with CUNY for 20 years and enjoys working with students and the camaraderie of her co-workers. In her down time, she likes to learn new skills that she can use for DIY projects. |
Beginner's Italic Calligraphy, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Wednesday, January 18 at 11:30am-2:30pm
Instructor: Will Lung, Academic Advisor, Macaulay Honors College
Newcomers to the art of calligraphy usually fall into one of two categories: those who think it’ll be easy to learn, and those who think it’ll be difficult. The reality lies somewhere in between. In this introductory workshop, students will use accessible supplies and materials, and learn the fundamentals of Italic calligraphy that will help demystify the craft, proving that it can be both easy to learn, yet difficult to master.
Please note that this class is now full. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email janet.fu@mhc.cuny.edu.
| About the Instructors: Will Lung has been a freelance calligrapher for over three decades, and has taught private and large-format workshops, including at The Learning Annex. He caters to individual and corporate clients, art directors, event planners, and public relations firms. He has done celebrity weddings and fashion shows, and his work has appeared in books. He’s been asked to calligraph on everything from expensive cotton paper, to slate cheeseboards, glass bottles, salad plates, and playing cards. He is self-taught, which makes his teaching calligraphy all the more ironic. |
Effective Communication, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructor: Gianina Chrisman, Associate Director of Career Development, Macaulay Honors College
Are you looking to improve your communication skills? Are you in a leadership role? Whether it’s with a peer, professor, or supervisor, communication is key to establishing a positive and trusting relationship. In this workshop, we will cover face-to-face conversations, emails, difficult conversations, and how to send a professional message that establishes a connection and leaves a positive impression.
 Gianina Chrisman |
About the Instructor: Gianina Chrisman, Macaulay’s Associate Director of Career Development, leads the college’s efforts to match Macaulay students with high-level internships and research positions.
Gia received her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, with a double major in Psychology and English Literature and a minor in Music. In 2010, she earned her M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. She comes to Macaulay from VISIONS, a non-profit organization that provides resources for people who are blind and visually impaired, where she served as the Youth Employment Coordinator. Prior to VISIONS, Gianina worked at the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation, and Hunter College. Gianina is also an avid fencer and has served as the Assistant Coach at Yeshiva University and Hunter College in the past. |
Anxiety and Stress Management: Your Personal Plan, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructors: Kristina Gowin-Lora, LMHC, Associate Director of Wellness and Counseling and Xinyu Lu, Mental Health Counseling Intern , Macaulay Wellness Center
Most college students experience some level of stress. While stress can keep us motivated, excessive stress may disturb students’ eating, sleeping and academic or social performance. This workshop focuses on supporting students identify signals of stress, develop a better understanding of stress and master some basic tools to manage anxiety. We will use a variety of strategies and personalize your own anxiety and stress management plan with the support of cognitive behavioral skills, self-care plans, and coping strategies.
| About the Instructors: Kristina Gowin-Lora works in the Wellness Center at Macaulay Honors College as the Associate Director of Wellness and Counseling. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and received her dual Master’s degrees in Psychology and Psychological Counseling from Teachers College at Columbia University. Kristina has experience working with young adults and families through non-profit organizations in settings such as foster care homes, schools, and community based clinics. Kristina uses Cognitive Behavioral tools and Trauma-Focused interventions as well as working with people to discover their identities, passions, and values. She also supports the professional development of social service providers through training and consultation. Kristina believes in working collaboratively with people through a recovery-oriented and self-directed approach to help them reach their full potential and to feel empowered. Outside of work, Kristina enjoys cooking, podcasts, and college sports. |
 Kristina Gowin Lora |
| Xinyu (she/her) is a clinical intern, currently a second-year graduate student in the Psychological Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Psychology and Communication. Xinyu has previous experience in supporting people through crisis and moderating online peer support groups. Xinyu has a particular interest in supporting people who have relationship and trauma related struggles. Xinyu hopes to implement both traditional and non-traditional treatment strategies into practice with a trauma-informed and client-centered mindset. Xinyu’s goal is to become more effective than the positive effects that a boba tea can bring. The word “Xinyu” means happiness in heart in Chinese, which is also something Xinyu wishes to bring to each client. Xinyu wishes her clients to know that she welcomes feedback and values collaborative work. Xinyu enjoys watching movies, traveling and listening to audiobooks during her spare time. |
 Xinyu Lu |
| https://macaulay.cuny.edu/student-life/student-well-being/mental-health-and-wellness-center/ |
Everyday Astrophysics for Fun & Profit*, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Wednesday, January 18, 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructor: Emily Rice, Associate Professor, Macaulay Honors College
Have you ever wanted to make sense of the Sun, Moon, planets, constellations, and your place in the Universe? Join Macaulay professor and astronomer Dr. Emily Rice in a guided exploration of practical astronomy and have your questions about the cosmos answered by an expert in a fun, interactive workshop . *Profit not guaranteed 😉
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About the Instructor: Emily Rice is Associate Professor of Astrophysics at at Macaulay Honors College of the City University of New York (CUNY), faculty in the Physics Ph.D. Program at the CUNY Graduate Center, and a resident research associate in the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Dr. Rice studies low mass stars, brown dwarfs (sometimes called “failed” stars), and directly-imaged exoplanets by analyzing their spectra and modeling their atmospheres, along with her research group, Brown Dwarfs in New York City (BDNYC), co-led by Prof. Kelle Cruz (Hunter College) and Dr. Jackie Faherty (AMNH). Dr. Rice frequently gives public presentations about space and science, including at the Hayden Planetarium at AMNH, and makes media appearances, coordinates Astronomy on Tap events at social venues around the world, and shares astronomy-inspired fashion through the STARtorialist blog and online shop. |
Manual Photography Basics, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Wednesday, January 18 at 3:30pm-4:45pm
Instructor: Christopher Cali, Student Development Coordinator, Macaulay Honors College
Do you have a DSLR or Mirrorless digital camera? At this workshop, you will learn about the technical aspects of a camera and what adjustments you can make to influence your images. We will talk about some of the most important camera settings and what you can do to get the effects you want on your photos.
Bring Your Camera: Bring your camera with you to this workshop, so that you can put what you learn into practice!
Bundle Up: Weather-permitting, we will go outside on Macaulay’s patio or to Central Park after the presentation to take some pictures and adjust the settings we talk about.
 Christopher Cali |
About the Instructor: Chris Cali graduated from Macaulay in 2018 and recently worked as the Student Development Coordinator. When at Macaulay, he founded the Macaulay Photography Club. Photography has been a hobby of his since High School.
https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/chriscali/category/photography-work/ |
Floral Design 101, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Wednesday, January 18 at 3:30pm-4:45pm
Instructor: Sara Mazes, Administrative Liaison, Macaulay Honors College
We’ll do an overview of the basic principles and techniques of floral design, discussing proportion, color, and balance in an arrangement as well as the different styles and types of arrangements. Then you’ll design your own piece to take home, using your newly acquired knowledge. Supplies will be provided but feel free to bring any extra flowers to add to your arrangement.
 Sara Mazes |
About the Instructor: Sara studied floral design at New York Botanical Garden and is a freelance floral designer, specializing in events and weddings of all sizes. |
Introduction to Financial Literacy, this class will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, January 18 at 5:30pm-6:45pm
Instructor: Alan Chen, Tomoon Youtube Channel
Everyone deserves the right and opportunity to engage with the modern world in a financially meaningful way to move upward in the socioeconomic ladder. We will go over the basics of credit cards, credit scores, debt, bank accounts, and taxes. There is so much more to explore, and this is a good start to your financial journey.
 Alan Chen |
About the Instructor: Hello! My name is Alan and I’m an alumnus of Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College. You would think after attending business school, I would know how to manage my personal finances. Unfortunately financial literacy is not a skill taught in schools. I come from a low-income family and have seen first hand the negative effects of poor money management and not saving early enough for retirement. My goal is to help people retire happily. By day, I write code as a software engineer; by night, I study financial literacy and make youtube videos. |
Thursday, January 19, 2023 Workshops (Click title to read description)
How to satisfy the experiential requirement with an internship, this class will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00am-11:15am
Instructors: Gianina Chrisman, Associate Director of Career Development, Macaulay Honors College
Learn how to satisfy the Macaulay requirement for completing an internship, as part of the experiential learning requirement, and key information you’ll need to make sure it’s approved.
|
Gianina Chrisman |
About the Instructor: Gianina Chrisman, Macaulay’s Associate Director of Career Development, leads the college’s efforts to match Macaulay students with high-level internships and research positions.
Gia received her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, with a double major in Psychology and English Literature and a minor in Music. In 2010, she earned her M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. She comes to Macaulay from VISIONS, a non-profit organization that provides resources for people who are blind and visually impaired, where she served as the Youth Employment Coordinator. Prior to VISIONS, Gianina worked at the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation, and Hunter College. Gianina is also an avid fencer and has served as the Assistant Coach at Yeshiva University and Hunter College in the past. |
Resting Stitch Face: Embroidery Workshop, this class will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00am-11:40am
Instructor: Kelly O’Donnell, Director of Science Forward, Macaulay Honors College
Come get crafty at our intro to embroidery workshop! Gather some basic supplies and join us to get started with this classic needlework technique. You’ll learn basic stitches and techniques so you can begin making beautiful creations.
At minimum, you will need these items: embroidery hoop, needles, floss, scissors, and a piece of fabric. You probably have a pair of scissors at home and your fabric really can be anything: old clothes, sheets, pillowcases, tote bags, etc. Try to find something woven rather than knit to work on. You will likely have to buy the hoop, needles, and floss. We have some suggestions for those individual items, as well as some suggestions for kits that come with everything you need (including fabrics with patterns on them that you can follow). YOU DO NOT NEED EVERYTHING LISTED BELOW IN THE EQUIPMENT LIST; just pick the item (or items) that will give you the basics (hoop, needles, floss, and fabric and scissors (if needed).
| ITEM | LINK FOR PURCHASE |
| Basic kit with pattern (basic pattern) | Bucilla Stamped Embroidery Kit Pocket Posies |
| Basic kit with pattern (more complex pattern) | Beginner Embroidery Kit |
| Build your own kit (blank cross stich fabric) | Build Your Own Embroidery Starter Kit |
| Kit with three patterns | Embroidery Starter Kit for Beginners |
| Expensive Kit (two towels, high quality materials)/td> | The Ultimate Embroidery Kit |
|
Dr. Kelly O’Donnell |
About the Instructor: Kelly O’Donnell is the Director of Science Forward at Macaulay Honors College. She oversees scientific programing and academics for Macaulay. Dr. O’Donnell also regularly teaches one of the Science Forward seminars and occasionally teaches upper level courses such as Ecological Change & Human Disease and Detecting Bullshit in the Modern Age. Before coming to Macaulay, Dr. O’Donnell completed a teaching post-doc at Columbia University. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University and a BS in Biology from Cornell University. Her academic interests are in botany, urban ecology, citizen/community science, and invasive plant evolution. Her non-academic interests include embroidery, trapeze, and Star Trek. |
Research Experience: Data Blitz & Information Session, this class will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 19 at 11:30am-12:45pm
Instructor: Emily Jimenez, Assistant Director, Career Development Office, Macaulay Honors College
A critical component of the graduate school application process is having a quality research experience. The Macaulay Research Assistantship Program is an opportunity afforded exclusively to Macaulay students in a seamless manner for undergraduate research in partnership with CUNY professors.
Please join us for a “data blitz” given by our current research associates who will present their research projects and discuss their research experience. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions about the research. In addition, we will briefly discuss the The Macaulay Research Assistantship Program and how to apply.
Deepening My College Experience: What the Research Literature Tells Us the Best College Students Do, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Thursday, January 19 at 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructor: Jody Clark Vaisman, Academic Director, Unique & Interdisciplinary Studies, the CUNY BA
In this fun, interactive workshop, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your goals and to work in small groups to think about strategies for getting the most out of your college experience. Along the way, we will share strategies from the literature as well as resources on how Macaulay and the CUNY BA for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies can help you engage in these activities.
From this workshop you will come away with:
• Reflections on broader goals to help you craft your college narrative, i.e., how you tell your “college story”
• Knowledge of high-impact student strategies and what the best college students do
• Ideas on important academic, co-curricular, personal, and professional opportunities
• At least one actionable item to put into practice and a custom workbook (“passport”) for further activities
• Resources on how Macaulay and the CUNY BA for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies can help you grow
Have an opportunity to meet the presenters in a smaller group setting: Jody Clark-Vaisman, Academic Director of Unique & Interdisciplinary Studies (“the CUNY BA”) and Gianina Chrisman, Associate Director of Career Development at Macaulay.
 Jody Clark Vaisman |
About the Instructor: Dr. Jody Clark Vaisman is the Academic Director of Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies at CUNY – “the CUNY BA,” where students can create their own unique “majors”, taking classes across CUNY. Her career has focused on increasing student access to high-impact learning opportunities, such as undergraduate research, study abroad/away, civic engagement, internships, and other experiences known to be effective vehicles of transformative learning and creators of social capital. Joining Baruch College CUNY in 2010, she previously led the campus’ Macaulay Honors College, National and Prestigious Fellowships, local Honors programs, and an initiative on undergraduate research and creative inquiry. Working in higher education for over 25 years, Dr. Clark Vaisman has spoken nationally on higher education and won the 2015 Baruch College Excellence Award for Innovation. |
Email Errors and Digital Disasters: Navigating Communication for College and Career, this class will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 19 at 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructor: Lisa Brundage, Director, Academic Affairs, Macaulay Honors College
Do you have email paralysis? Do you need to get in touch with your professor but get anxious just clicking “reply” on their messages? Do you get overwhelmed by the various emails, texts, messages, platforms, and alerts competing for your attention? This workshop is for you! We will start with a look at some communication mistakes–from the hilarious to the humdrum–before discussing context, tone, organization, and sending messages (and getting the answers you need!) with confidence. You will leave with a lighter digital load and plan for keeping your inbox tamed in the spring semester.
 Lisa Brundage |
About the Instructor: Lisa Brundage is the Director of Academic Affairs at Macaulay Honors College. She oversees the Macaulay Seminars, Common Events, and supervises the Teaching and Learning Collaboratory and Wellness Teams. She tries to approach work with efficiency while maintaining empathy, including office communications. She once accidentally sent an out-of-office reply to 10,000 emails in her inbox and has lived to tell the tale. |
Future Self Meditation Experience, this class will be held in-person at Macaulay on Thursday, January 19 at 2:00pm-3:15pm
Instructor: Emily Jimenez, Assistant Director, Career Development Office, Macaulay Honors College
For this experience, participants will take part in a guided meditation led by Emily which will guide them to visit their future self. During the meditation, they will experience what their future self looks and feels like and afterwards, they will have a moment to reflect – through writing prompts – on the wisdom the future-self brought them. Based on their reflections, they will create a list of affirmations to keep handy. Once they understand the energy of their future self, they can begin to embody it and bring it to life.
The purpose of this experience is to give participants a moment to reflect on how they want to show up in the world and what their ideal life really looks like. Once they have that clear visual, we will develop a list of affirmations they can use to help them embody that vision.
 Emily Jimenez |
About the Instructor: Emily Jimenez currently serves as the Assistant Director of Career Development at Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York. In this role she connects employers to an emerging talent pipeline, organizes professional development events and coaches students and early to mid-level professionals on navigating the evolving work landscape. Additionally, she serves as a founding member of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement’s National Leadership Council. Emily is the eldest child of Dominican immigrants and the first to attend college, obtain a graduate degree and work in a corporate setting. This experience has fueled her passion for being a fierce advocate of equity in education, finding culturally competent mentors and workplace wellness. Her goal is to equip first generation students with tools to thrive in college and corporate environments and encourage them to pay it forward, creating a culture of mutual aid within their communities She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Culture & Communication and a master’s degree in Business Management & Leadership from CUNY’s School of Professional Studies in addition to an Executive Education Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University. In 2020 she launched The Manifestation Mami, a virtual wellness space. Through this platform, she teaches busy professionals how to prioritize their wellness so they can live abundant, balanced lives through ceremonies, live courses and career clarity coaching. |
Index Fund Investing, this class will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 19 at 5:30pm-6:45pm
Instructor: Alan Chen, Tomoon Youtube Channel
As a beginner investor, selecting stocks to invest in can be a difficult task. Luckily for us, there is an easier approach that will make us more money on average. Index fund investing is so simple that anyone with a few dollars can do it and start making money. We will explore research data to discuss the pros and cons of index fund investing. Be prepared to learn about topics related to mutual funds, stock market indexes, and long-term investing.
|
Alan Chen |
About the Instructor: Hello! My name is Alan and I’m an alumnus of Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College. You would think after attending business school, I would know how to manage my personal finances. Unfortunately financial literacy is not a skill taught in schools. I come from a low-income family and have seen first hand the negative effects of poor money management and not saving early enough for retirement. My goal is to help people retire happily. By day, I write code as a software engineer; by night, I study financial literacy and make youtube videos. |