January Academy will take place on January 21 and 22, 2026. On January 21, classes will be in person (indicated in purple), and on January 22, they will take place over Zoom (indicated in yellow). Please note that the Cornell Tech Site Visit will be off-site! All other in-person classes will take place at Macaulay.
Registration will open on January 7!
Jump to Thursday, January 22 schedule
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026
Arrive early and enjoy pancakes prepared by Macaulay staff. Plain, blueberry, banana, and chocolate chip pancakes will be available between 9:00am and 10:30am!
(Click on workshop titles to see descriptions)
10:00am
Resting Stitch Face: Embroidery Workshop, 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 10:00am-12:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Kelly O’Donnell, Director of Science Forward, Macaulay Honors College
Come get crafty at our intro to embroidery workshop! We’ll provide all the tools you need to get started with this classic needlework technique. You’ll learn at least four basic stitches and get a chance to start embroidering your own monogram onto a handkerchief.
We’ll provide all the tools you need to get started with this classic needlework technique. You’ll learn at least four basic stitches and get a chance to start embroidering your own monogram onto a handkerchief.
Supplies will be provided.
 Kelly O’Donnell
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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.
http://cuny.is/kellyodonnell |
Spreadsheet Secrets: Build your Data Toolkit with MS Excel, 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 10:00am-12:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructors: Sejung Yim, Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Macaulay Honors College & Sasha De Silva, Associate Director of Scholarships and Grants, Macaulay Honors College
This workshop is designed to help participants build practical, transferable skills for managing, analyzing, and presenting data using Microsoft Excel. As one of the most widely used tools across industries, Excel is essential for tasks such as data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to work more confidently and efficiently with data commonly used in professional settings. The workshop follows a two-tiered format to support different skill levels.
- Part 1 (Basic) covers foundational Excel skills, including data entry and formatting, basic formulas, sorting and filtering, duplicate handling, and simple charts.
- Part 2 (Intermediate) builds on these basics and introduces tools for deeper analysis, such as lookup functions, pivot tables, and simple dashboard creation.
All participants are welcome to attend both parts of the workshop. Beginners are encouraged to stay for the intermediate portion to gain exposure to more advanced features, while those with prior experience may join from the start to refresh core skills.
If you’ve registered for the workshop, please take a moment to fill out this short survey to help us tailor the workshop to your needs. Pre-Workshop Survey: Excel Skills Assessment
A laptop with Microsoft Excel is required for this course. If you have a laptop, please bring it. We will have a limited number of laptops available to borrow for the workshop.
| About the Instructors: |
| Sejung Yim is the Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Macaulay Honors College, where she manages and analyzes data to support strategic planning and institutional effectiveness. She is passionate about helping both students and staff build confidence and practical skills in working with data, and believes that strong foundational Excel skills can reduce anxiety, improve efficiency, and support effective data visualization for decision-making. She also enjoys exploring the use of AI tools to enhance data analysis and streamline workflows. |
| Sasha works in the Scholarship Office, assisting students with scholarship opportunities, application processes, and financial aid. With a strong data management and organization background, she uses Microsoft Excel daily to track applications, analyze financial data, and manage scholarship reports. Passionate about helping others improve their skills, she aims to empower students and staff to navigate Excel confidently for academic and professional tasks by sharing valuable tips, tricks, and best practices for using Excel efficiently. |
11:30am
The Real Science of Astrology, 11:30am-1:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 11:30am-1:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Professor Emily Rice, Macaulay Honors College
While the predictive aspect of horoscopes is demonstrably pseudoscience, western astrology is rooted in actual geocentric astronomy with aspects of geometry, trigonometry, and planetary science. Macaulay’s resident space expert, Professor Emily Rice, will guide you through understanding the astronomically accurate aspects of astrology, from the importance of the zodiac constellations to your actual sun sign to the past and future of the North Star. We will also make some observations, weather permitting! This workshop is open to all with no math or science knowledge required and no judgement about your personal beliefs.
 Emily Rice
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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). She earned her Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA and Bachelor’s degrees in Physics & Astronomy and German at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to Macaulay, Dr. Rice was a member of the faculty at the College of Staten Island.
Emily Rice at Macaulay Honors College |
12:00pm
Purl Jam: Introduction to Knitting, 12:00pm-1:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 12:00pm-1:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Lisa Brundage, Director of Academic Affairs, Macaulay Honors College
This introductory knitting workshop will teach beginners the basics of casting on, the knit stitch, and casting off. We will also demystify knitting materials, notions, and lingo. You will learn the steps required to make a scarf, which you will then be able to complete at home. All knitters are welcome, but the content will be tailored for brand-new beginners.
 Lisa Brundage
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About the Instructor: Lisa is an experienced teacher, project manager, and event planner, but a new knitter. Inspired by the hand embroidery skills she learned in Kelly O’Donnell’s Resting Stitch Face class, and seeking more ways to limit doomscrolling, she took a knitting workshop two years ago and has been carrying a bag of needles and yarn everywhere ever since. Her favorite thing to knit is socks. Around Macaulay, you can find Lisa at all of the seminar Common Events, teaching Springboard, and working with the Academic Affairs team. |
Mindful Beginnings: Set Your Word(s) of Intention for 2026, 12:00pm-1:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 12:00pm-1:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Sara Louie, Program Manager, Collaborative Wellness Project, Macaulay Honors College
Curious about what this year will bring? Want to set an intention for this 2026? Still processing 2025? This workshop session will guide you in reflecting on the past year, identifying goals for the new year, and aligning your energy for the year ahead. Through guided meditation and reflective journaling, you will have the opportunity to explore and choose word(s) of intention for 2026. Time permitting, you’ll be able to create personalized word bracelets that will serve as a visual reminder of your goals and intentions.
Whether you’re looking to grow academically or personally, join for a relaxing and reflective session!
Optional: bring your favorite pen and/or journal to write in. If you are someone who likes to take time to think about your goals, recommend writing out your goals before the workshop.
 Sara Louie
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About the Instructor: Sara Louie (she/her) is the program manager of the Collaborative Wellness Project, an initiative to expand holistic wellness programming and services at Macaulay and across the 8 home campuses. She also is the program manager for the Macaulay Restorative Practice Program. A proud Macaulay alumna, Sara has a background in the non-profit sector, creating impactful programs that empower communities. Since graduating college, she has set words of intention, finding it a supportive practice in transitioning into each new year. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, photographer, and graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Community Fellows program. |
1:00pm
Cornell Tech Site Visit, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 1:00pm-3:00pm, meet at Cornell Tech
Learn more about the CUNY Honors Connect at Cornell Tech internships and pathways to graduate study while touring the applied and research facilities at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island! Meet at 2 W Loop Rd, New York, NY 10044
2:00pm
The Loop Troop @ MHC – Crochet Workshop, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 2:00pm-3:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Saranna Belgrave-Banton, Program Director, The Gray STEM Scholar
Have you admired that random person on the train that was making a scarf and thought about becoming a member of the Yarn Creative community? Take the first step by joining this beginner crochet class! You’ll learn 3 basic stitches and get support creating a useful project that you can walk out of this workshop with feeling accomplished.
 Saranna Belgrave-Banton
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About the Instructor: I am a deeply creative soul that channels that energy into a wide variety of outlets including crochet, knitting, beading, painting, sewing, hair braiding and styling, nail art and much more! A craft store is not safe around me! Creating with yarn is something I’ve done since I was 11, after being taught by my grandmother to knit. and taught by my aunt to crochet. When I’m not creating I’m leaning into my love of science, research, student advocacy and support through being the director of the Gray STEM Scholars program at Macaulay as well as teaching undergraduate biology at Hunter College. |
Winter Botanicals Lab: Move, Sip, and DIY Skin Care, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 2:00pm-3:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Susie Spodek, Founder, PlantJoy.NYC
Join us for this feel-good self-care workshop. We’ll kick things off with a fun activity that gets you out exploring your surroundings – intentionally noticing the little things often overlooked in our busy days. After that, we’ll regroup to learn about herbal teas and how they support well-being. You’ll get to brew your own cup and enjoy it with a tasty snack.
Then comes the highlight – creating your own sugar scrub, perfect for keeping parched winter skin soft and moisturized. Using dried flowers, essential oils, and natural ingredients, you’ll craft a personalized scrub that you get to take home with you!
| About the Instructor: PlantJoy.nyc founder, Susie Spodek, designs hands-on, plant- and food-based programs that inspire connection – with nature, with others, and with the food we eat. Susie has worked for over a decade across NYC offering experiences that make local food, agriculture, and nature feel approachable and meaningful. Her workshops spark curiosity, nurture emotional well-being, and make learning fun. Before planting roots in community-based work, she spent years in the field of international education, including many years living, studying, and working overseas. These days she loves exploring NYC on foot and going for walks in Forest Park, Queens (check out her Instagram #plantjoynyc). She is certified in Therapeutic Horticulture by the NY Botanical Garden. She holds master’s degrees from Teachers College and the School for International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. |
Breathe, Stretch, Release: A Guided Yoga and Meditation Session, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 2:00pm-3:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Lesly Calle, Yoga Instructor
This workshop is designed to help Macaulay students and alumni begin the new year with a sense of grounding, clarity, and calm. Through gentle yoga movement, guided breathing practices, and short mindfulness exercises, participants will learn accessible techniques to reduce stress, release tension, and cultivate a more balanced mindset.
The session emphasizes whole-student wellness by integrating mindful movement with reflective prompts that encourage self-awareness and emotional regulation. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use throughout the semester to manage academic pressure, strengthen their resilience, and reconnect with their sense of purpose.
No prior yoga experience is required. All movements are beginner-friendly and adaptable for all bodies. Mats can be provided or participants may bring their own.
Session Flow
- Opening Grounding Exercise (5 min) – Breathing practice and intention-setting.
- Gentle Yoga Flow (30 min) – Stress-release sequence focused on areas impacted by student life.
- Guided Mindfulness Meditation (10 min) – A calming visualization or breath-centered practice.
- Reflection + Intention Setting (5 min) – Light journaling or mental check-in prompt.
- Closing Integration (5 min) – Gentle closing and take-home strategies.
- “Chai & Community” Gathering (10–15 min) – A warm, low-stakes space to: connect with alumni and fellow students, share intentions, unwind with a cup of chai.
| About the Instructor: Lesly is a higher education professional at the City College of, where she supports community-building, mentorship, and student success initiatives. Alongside her work in higher education, she is a dedicated yoga and mindfulness practitioner who leads grounding sessions for students and young professionals. Her workshops focus on reducing stress, cultivating clarity, and helping individuals reconnect with themselves during busy academic and life transitions. |
Print, Poetry, and Free Press: Zine Workshop, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Janine Simon, Urban Word NYC Teaching Artist
In a moment marked by censorship, threats to journalism, and the quiet disappearance of our histories, Print, Poetry, and Free Press invites college students to reclaim storytelling as an act of ownership and resistance.
This two hour workshop explores zine making as a powerful intersection of poetry, print culture, and free press. Participants will examine how zines have historically been used by artists, activists, and journalists to speak truth outside of mainstream systems, and why these handmade publications are resurging in today’s cultural climate.
Guided by Urban Word NYC, a literary nonprofit dedicated to centering young voices at the intersection of art and civic engagement, students will write original poetry and short prose, then transform their words into a collaborative or individual zine. Using their hands to cut, paste, print, and assemble, participants will create physical proof of their existence, ideas, and humanity. This workshop affirms that our stories matter, that creativity is a civic act, and that free press can still live on paper, passed hand to hand.
3:30pm
Jewelry Making with Beads, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 3:30pm-5:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Charmain Liddelow, Special Events & Alumni Relations Manager, Macaulay Honors College
Have fun learning a new hobby! Learn the basics to design and make your own beaded jewelry. Express your creativity and make handmade custom pieces for friends, family or potential customers.
All supplies will be provided.
| About the Instructor: Charmain works in the External Relations Office at Macaulay. She enjoys working with students and alumni, plus the camaraderie of her co-workers. In her down time, she likes to learn new skills that she can use for DIY projects. |
Floral Design 101, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 3:30pm-5:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
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.
| 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. ig @mimiandcoflorals |
Knit Happens: The Musselburgh Hat (Intermediate Knitting), 3:30pm-5:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 3:30pm-5:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Lisa Brundage, Director of Academic Affairs, Macaulay Honors College
You have the basics of knitting and you are ready to move beyond scarves! In this workshop, we will practice the skills you need to complete the Musselburgh Hat, a popular double-layer beanie (https://ysolda.com/products/musselburgh) that is sure to keep you warm this winter. This workshop is for people who already feel confident with some knitting basics: any kind of cast-on, the knit, and purl stitches. We will practice the pinhole cast-on and the increases and decreases you need to complete the hat. Most of the Musselburgh is completed with stockinette in the round, so with just a few techniques, you can produce an impressive chapeau!
Note: we will use circular needles for knitting with magic loop. If you are already familiar with DPNs and prefer them to magic loop, please bring your own. You are also welcome to bring your own DK yarn.
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Lisa Brundage
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About the Instructor: Lisa is an experienced teacher, project manager, and event planner, but a new knitter. Inspired by the hand embroidery skills she learned in Kelly O’Donnell’s Resting Stitch Face class, and seeking more ways to limit doomscrolling, she took a knitting workshop two years ago and has been carrying a bag of needles and yarn everywhere ever since. Her favorite thing to knit is socks. Around Macaulay, you can find Lisa at all of the seminar Common Events, teaching Springboard, and working with the Academic Affairs team. |
4:00pm
Healthy Cooking Demonstration: Using a Whole Rotisserie Chicken, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Wednesday, January 21, 4:00pm-5:30pm, in-person at Macaulay
Instructor: Sara Louie, Program Manager, Collaborative Wellness Project, Macaulay Honors College
Welcome to the Healthy Cooking Demonstration Series! This January Academy we have a special demonstration workshop where we’ll share ways to make several meals out of one rotisserie chicken! We’ll go through cutting up the chicken, prepping meals with shredded chicken, make a meal with rice and sides, and go over how to make a broth soup with the leftovers. And yes, all in 1 and a half hours! You’ll get to try, taste, eat, and bring some food home from the workshop and pantry.
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Sara Louie
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About the Instructor: Sara Louie (she/her) is the program manager of the Collaborative Wellness Project, an initiative to expand holistic wellness programming and services at Macaulay and across the 8 home campuses. She also is the program manager for the Macaulay Restorative Practice Program. A proud Macaulay alumna, Sara has a background in the non-profit sector, creating impactful programs that empower communities. Since graduating college, she has set words of intention, finding it a supportive practice in transitioning into each new year. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, photographer, and graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Community Fellows program. |
5:30pm
Game Night with Macaulay Alumni: Network over some fun and friendly competition, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Wednesday, January 21, 5:30pm-7:00pm, in-person at Macaulay
Join Macaulay alumni and students for a laid-back game night filled with board games, laughs, and friendly competition. No pressure—just good company and a fun way to connect.
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Thursday, January 22, 2026
(Click on workshop titles to see descriptions)
10:00am
Resting Stitch Face: Embroidery Workshop, 10:00am-12:00pm
Thursday, January 22, 10:00am-12:00pm, on Zoom
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 be able to pick up some supplies (hoop, needles, floss, and fabric scrap) at the Macaulay building the week before the workshop. If you cannot get to the building, you will need to borrow or 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). DO NOT BUY EVERYTHING IN THIS LIST. You just need one kit that has a hoop, needles, and floss and there are 4 options below.
| ITEM | LINK FOR PURCHASE |
| Basic kit with pattern (basic pattern) | 6″ Night Trees Stamped Design Embroidery Kit with Hoop by Loops & Threads® |
| Basic kit with pattern (more complex pattern) | Beginner Embroidery Kit |
| Kit with three patterns plus scissors | Uphome 3 Pack Embroidery Starter Kit for Beginners |
| High Quality Tools Only (NO PATTERNS OR FABRIC) | Essential Tool Kit for Hand Embroidery |
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Kelly O’Donnell
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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.
http://cuny.is/kellyodonnell |
11:30am
Make It Quick! An Introduction to Short Fiction, 11:30am-1:00pm
Thursday, January 22, 11:30am-1:00pm, on Zoom
Instructor: Cameron Stewart, Student Writing Specialist, Macaulay Honors College
Have all your stories been snoring lately? Are you looking for prose that’s bold 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 Honors College. His stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Tin House, The Baffler, EPOCH, and Painted Bride Quarterly, among others. |
City Design Information Session, 11:30am-12:30pm
Thursday, January 22, 11:30am-1:00pm, on Zoom
Sophomores and juniors interested in urban planning, design, and related fields are invited to learn more about New York: City Designed, a summer internship program exclusive to Macaulay students.
The program includes:
- paid internships
- free MetroCards for commuting
- networking opportunities
- and more!
Students will work and learn onsite with top urban planning, design, and architecture companies and New York City agencies. Summer internships are open to juniors and seniors, regardless of their major.
Representatives from Design Trust for Public Space will host the info session to answer questions about the program features and the application process.
Design Trust for Public Space is a nationally-recognized incubator that transforms and evolves the city’s landscape with city agencies and community collaborators.
1:30pm
Resilience: This Moment and Beyond, 1:30pm-3:00pm
Thursday, January 22, 1:30pm-3:00pm, on Zoom
Instructor: Ali Brokaw, Training & Facilitation Specialist, Right to Be
Right To Be is offering this interactive, and experiential learning experience that will teach you how to author your own resilience, using Right To Be’s resilience methodology: sit with what is, create your story, and be in choice.
We’ll start by talking about what resilience really is, and how it’s different (and harder) than self-care. Using guided practices, we’ll learn how to hold our pain and still find joy. We’ll explore how we’re making sense of this moment — and how that’s shaping our experience of it. And we’ll learn practices to recover quickly when we’re knocked down by the world.
| About the Instructor: Right To Be became a nonprofit in 2010 under the name Hollaback!. What began as a simple idea – a blog to collect stories of street harassment – became part of an international movement. We kept documenting stories, but we began to do more. We created Bystander Intervention Trainings to teach people how to stop harassment, with a set of simple and safe tactics we call the 5Ds. We also built more platforms to offer support. For example, on our HeartMob platform, people facing online harassment can ask for exactly the kind of support they need, and get it when they need it, from vetted bystanders with the tools and resources to help. As our work expanded, so did our mission. Right To Be grew from addressing public street harassment… to ending harassment in all its forms.
https://righttobe.org |
2:00pm
POEMS, I DO, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Thursday, January 22, 2:00pm-3:30pm, on Zoom
Instructor: Carmen Boullosa, Distinguished Lecturer, Macaulay Honors College
What is a poem? What is a visual poem? Do you want to explore the world of Poetry, and find out what role do visual poems play on it?
Do you love to read poems? Are you intrigued by poems? Do you think there might be more on a poem than you get?
Do poems address problems of our time that seem not to find ways out? Is the Poem a messenger of hope, or a carriere of desperation, or both, and all that fits between them?
Bring questions, manuscrípts, images, images with words, doubts, certainties, and others to be discussed. We will spend 90 minutes on a theme that has had fellows during centuries.
| About the Instructor: Poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, Carmen Boullosa was born in Mexico City in 1954. She writes in Spanish, and has published books since the late 1970s. Boullosa is the author of nineteen novels (The Book of Eve and Texas: The Great Theft were translated by Samantha Schnee, Before, by Peter Bush), more than a dozen collections of poetry (Hatchet, translated by Lawrence Schimmel), two volumens of plays, and four of essays (How Mexico and the USA Created The “Mexican” Drug War, cowritten with Mike Wallace). Her books have been translated to fourteen languages. More than a hundred Doctoral Degrees Dissertations have been written on her work, as well as a dozen of books about her in several languages. Carmen Boullosa has collaborated with visual artists and has done herself artists books since the late seventies. Some of her work has been exhibited at museums and galleries and other venues. She has lectured and read her poems in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She was a Guggenheim, a DAAD, and a Cullman Fellow, and the recipient of literary prizes in Mexico, Germany, Spain the Café Gijón, and the USA. The show “Nueva York” on CUNY-TV that has aired for 20 years, has won her seven NY-EMMYs. She was a visiting professor at the universities of Georgetown, Columbia, NYU, SDSU and Blaise Pascal in Clermont Ferrand, a Chair Alfonso Reyes at la Sorbonne, and was a faculty member at the City College CUNY, and is a Distinguished Lecturer at Macaulay Honors College. |
Mastering Small Talk: Professional Conversations for Career Success, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Thursday, January 22, 2:00pm-3:30pm, on Zoom
Instructors: Gianina Chrisman, Director of Career Development, Macaulay Honors College and Darren Cummings, Program Manager, CUNY Honors Business Hub
Small talk isn’t “small” when it comes to your career. Whether you’re at a networking event, internship orientation, conference, or informational interview, knowing how to start and sustain professional conversations can open doors to opportunities, mentorships, and lasting connections.
This interactive workshop will help Macaulay Honors College students build confidence in professional small talk—from introducing yourself and asking thoughtful questions to gracefully entering and exiting conversations. Through practical frameworks, live examples, and low-pressure practice, students will leave with concrete tools they can immediately apply in internships, interviews, and networking settings.
 Gianina Chrisman
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About the Instructor: Gianina Chrisman is the Director of Career Development at Macaulay Honors College. She leads the college’s efforts to connect students with high-level internships, research and job opportunities. As the head of career development, she leads the Office of Career Development, which includes overseeing the internship portion of the experiential learning requirement, career services, corporate sponsorships, mentoring program, and the CUNY Honors Business Hub. Gianina received her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, with a double major in Psychology and English Literature and a minor in Music. She earned her Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. She comes to Macaulay with almost 20 years of experience in higher education and a background in Workforce Development & Training. Gianina was also an avid fencer and has served as the Assistant Coach at Yeshiva University and Hunter College in the past. |
 Darren Cummings
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About the Instructor: Darren Cummings holds a BA in Sociology from Binghamton University and an MSEd in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. He brings a rich background in program management and human development to his work on the CUNY Honors Business Hub. Prior to Macaulay, Darren served as Supplemental Instruction Coordinator at John Jay College and actively contributed to the institution’s Math and Science Resource Center. He played a pivotal role in recruiting, nurturing, and training a team of more than 20 tutors and took pride in creating a supportive environment for students, facilitating their transition into college life and adulthood. Darren began his career working at a mental health clinic and a teen homeless shelter in Shreveport, Louisiana and contributed significantly to the NYC Department of Education’s YABC (Young Adult Borough Centers) program. This initiative assisted under-credited and overaged students, aged 18-24, in attaining their high school diploma by providing comprehensive support. Over 500 students graduated during his six-year tenure. Born in New York City, Darren’s family roots extend to Southern Georgia. In his spare time he is a massive music fan and a serious bread baker. |
Get Unstuck and Recover from Trauma to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Thursday, January 22, 2:00pm-3:30pm, on Zoom
Instructor: Kseniya Kosmina, MSEd. Macaulay Honors Academic Advisor at Baruch College
Everyone carries scars, regardless of how well they are hidden. The greatest challenge we face is not the road we travel but the trauma we carry. What differentiates those who lead a happy life from those who are burdened by their trauma is how well we know and utilize the coping skills that are available for our healing. Learn how to Get Unstuck and Recover from Trauma to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet.
 Kseniya Kosmina
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About the Instructor: I am a proud CUNY alumna, having completed my BBA in Marketing and MSEd in Higher Education Administration in 2017 and 2021, respectively, both from Baruch College. As a former Honors student, I am utilizing my unique knowledge and understanding of the Honors student population at Baruch to better serve Macaulay Honors students. Prior to higher education, I have worked at the two top global advertising agencies, as well as in graphic design, non-profit organizations, and major financial institutions. Realizing my calling was in increasing access to higher education and helping students have fulfilling collegiate experiences, I have developed student programming and provided advising to transfer students at John Jay College prior to joining Baruch & Macaulay team in 2023. |
4:00pm
Introduction to Financial Literacy, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Thursday, January 22, 4:00pm-5:30pm, on Zoom
Instructor: Alan Chen, Tomoon
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, investing, and taxes. This is an amazing opportunity to ask personal finance questions and learn how to generate sustainable wealth. There is so much more to explore, and this is a great start to your financial journey.
 Alan Chen
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About the Instructor: Hello! My name is Alan and I’m an alumnus of Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College. You would think I would know how to manage my personal finances after attending business school. Unfortunately, financial literacy is not a skill taught in schools. I come from a low-income family and have seen firsthand the harmful effects of poor money management and not saving early enough for retirement. My goal is to help people retire happily. By day, I lead a team of software engineers; by night, I study financial literacy and occasionally make YouTube videos.
https://www.youtube.com/c/TomoonAlanChen/videos |
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