This week we have the pleasure of getting to know our new Director of Macaulay-Queens, Ms. Taruna Sadhoo.

Where did you grow up and what’s your family like?  

I was born in Guyana, South America but grew up in Flushing, Queens. I feel very lucky to have grown up in one of the most diverse areas of the world – without a doubt it contributed to my passion for international/cultural exchange and global citizenship. I am a proud mom, wife, sister, and aunt, and come from a family that believes in giving back to others through service, civic engagement, and within our careers. 

Where did you go to college and what did you major in? 

I earned a Masters degree in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and have a BA degree in Psychology from Queens College. 

What did you do before becoming MHC Director at Queens College? 

Prior to my current role, I was the Director of Experiential Education at Queens College. Within this role, I assisted in developing internship opportunities for over 700 students, providing them with meaningful internship experiences on and off campus and collectively securing over $1.5 million in funding for these programs. As an adjunct lecturer, I also taught a COOP World of Work course providing students with the experiences and skills needed to succeed in the professional setting prior to and upon graduation. Part of this course included each student exploring what global citizenship means to them and how they better understand and take action in their own communities on supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also successfully partnered with fellow college students at The American University in Cairo to get their perspectives on what global citizenship and the SDGs mean to them.

Prior to my return to QC three years ago, I was the senior director of Community Engagement at UNICEF USA. In this role, I was responsible for leading the development, management, and expansion of the organization’s community, youth, and volunteer engagement and mobilization strategy for over 40,000 volunteers. While at UNICEF USA, I was also instrumental in the management and expansion of the Global Citizenship Fellowship, a highly competitive, full-time, 24-month program that prepares diverse, committed, and globally minded individuals for effective leadership in public service. 

What do you love about your new job? I am passionate about this role as it allows me to bring together all of the skills, knowledge, and expertise I’ve garnered over the last 20 years to serve and empower students within MHC – ensuring a robust, successful, and rewarding experience for students and alumni. Serving students and alumni is what drives my work – how do we create the set of professional and further educational opportunities that complements what they have learned in the classroom. We have an incredibly talented student body and a key part of my role here is learning about the career and professional interests of our students. Our doors here at MHC are open for students and alumni to meet with us for advising so we can point out the scholarships and professional opportunities that enrich their experience here at QC and beyond. 

What is/are your favorite book(s)? Music? Movie(s)? I have two favorite movies – It’s a Wonderful Life and The Shawshank Redemption – so many nuggets of wisdom within both of these scripts. I enjoy reading and learning from all types of books. However, my favorite books are memoirs and autobiographies. I’m currently reading the following books, Poison Ivy: How Elite College Divide Us by Evan Mandery; Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah; White Debt:The Demerara Uprising and Britain’s Legacy of Slavery by Thomas Harding. I am open to listening to all types of music – however, my favorites include Country, Soca, Indian and Reggae music. 

Are there any issues/causes that you are particularly passionate about? I am passionate about children’s rights, access to education for marginalized populations, international development and equity, access, and diversity in higher education. 

If you weren’t working at a university, what would your dream job be? This is my dream job and institution – I mean it! As a CUNY graduate and higher education professional, it has always been my professional dream to give back to the institution that has played an instrumental role in my life and that of the community in which I live.  

What are your favorite ways to spend your leisure time? I enjoy spending time with my children, husband, family and friends celebrating life, laughing and eating a good meal. 

What does a “good life” mean to you? It means being celebrating all the good things we have. I believe that no matter how challenging life may get, there are always rainbows to be found.

Are you one of the people who repeatedly clicks “remind me tomorrow” when your computer annoys you with an update?

If yes, stop doing that and update your computer when it tells you to do so.

Do the same for the apps on your phone.

These updates are sometimes cosmetic, and you obviously don’t need those updates. But any update that fixes a “bug” is an essential update for your computer or phone.

Why?

Because hackers use “bugs” to enter your devices and steal your information. Companies like Apple and Google work hard to fix bugs so that bad actors (sometimes known as Black Hat hackers) can’t take advantageof what are known as “zero-day exploits” to hack your device, and thousands or even millions of other devices.

Updating your computer and phone, including all the apps, will patch any known bugs so that your system is better protected.

So stop clicking “remind me tomorrow.” And while I’m on the subject, also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email, banking, and healthcare websites and apps!

You absolutely cannot be too careful.

The 2022 midterm elections are Tuesday, November 8th –one week from today.

If you are eligible–18 years or older, and an American citizen–we urge you to exercise your constitutional right to vote.

Find out whether you’re registered to vote, where your polling place is, and what the ballot looks like here.

Then create a plan to get to your polling place. Drive or accompany other people if necessary. Spread the word.

With our ear to the social media grindstone, we have heard a lot of statements that sound like this:

1. “Why vote? I live in NYC. It’s going to be a Democrat whether I vote or not.”
2. “Voting is a waste of time. The two parties are both capitalist parties that support existing institutions and resist reform. It doesn’t matter.”
3. “I’m not voting until someone comes up with an idea worth getting off of my ass for.”

If you’ve ever made a statement like this, we strongly urge you to reconsider.

Voting will only remain a right as long as we avail of it. When you stop availing of your constitutional rights, they can begin to whither on the vine. In some states, so-called “poll watchers” are standing near polling places with loaded guns. We cannot be intimidated out of voting, even if the election in your district is close to a foregone conclusion.

The gubernatorial race (that’s for governor) in New York is closer than most people had predicted. Your vote DOES matter in this race. To learn about the candidates’ policy positions, click here.

This election is in large part a referendum on whether Democrats are on the right side of the investigation into the insurrection of 6 January 2021, which they have devoted a great deal of time to digging into, both in public and in private. Is this a good use of their time? Weigh in by voting!

A man named David DePape recently broke into the home of Speaker Pelosi attempting to kidnap her, meanwhile attacking her husband. Is political violence acceptable to you? Do you want it to become more widespread? Is it acceptable in certain circumstances? If people don’t vote or are disenfranchised, violence will become more widespread. Make your voice heard the American way: by voting!

What this election IS NOT:

A referendum on inflation. We all agree that inflation is out of control. The government has little to no control over it, despite what many pundits want you to think. The government has a few tools at its disposal to attempt to quell inflation and bring down gas prices, but this ability is limited at best.

Reject Election Disinformation:

1. Voting machines are trustworthy.
2. No one is “harvesting” ballots.
3. The notion that “Jews control the election” is antisemitic racism.
4. Democrats do not run a sex-trafficking ring, nor do they eat babies.
5. Joe Biden lawfully won the 2020 presidential election.
6. Critical Race Theory is not being taught to kindergarteners.
7. Bail reform does not lead to more crime.