GSGA April Newsletter

April 9, 2024

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Dear CUNY SPH community,

Happy April! We are thrilled to present a lineup of engaging events and opportunities designed to enrich your student experience.

As the semester progresses, we understand that many of you may be tackling midterms. We want to take a moment to commend your hard work and determination. Remember, you’ve prepared diligently, and you’ve got what it takes to excel. Keep pushing forward and remember to take breaks to rest and recharge when needed.

As we navigate through these final weeks of the semester, let’s make the most of every moment and create lasting memories together!

Sincerely,

Your 2023-2024 GSGA

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You’re invited! CUNY Disability Awareness Month Events at CUNY SPH 

You are invited to join the SPH Office of Accessibility Services in celebrating our fourth annual CUNY Disability Awareness Month at SPH. Join us for three upcoming events this month!

Unlocking Potential & Breaking Barriers: CUNY Perspectives on ADHD

Wednesday, April 10 | 12pm – 1pm | Hybrid, CUNY SPH, Ground Floor and Zoom | RSVP

Hear from CUNY students living with adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and CUNY clinical trainers in the field. Join us for a lively discussion with panelists Ivonne Quiroz and Jennifer Majer, CUNY SPH PhD students; Brie Scolaro, social worker and PhD student at the CUNY Graduate Center; and clinical trainer at Queens College, Sally Izquierdo.

If you can join in person on campus, following the discussion enjoy a light lunch, refreshments, networking, and a free book give away!

Open to all students, faculty, and staff!

Student only town hall on disability

Thursday, April 18 | 12pm – 1pm | Virtual |  RSVP

Disabled people are the largest marginalized and underrepresented community. This student only session serves to not only be a place to talk about grievances and past experiences, but a way to create a braver space to talk about disability (including invisible disabilities), inclusion, and to further the conversation through next steps.

Co-facilitated by CUNY SPH students, Adriana Padilla and Zaire Ali, PhD students and MPH student Nimra Rahman.

Please join us and a receive a free snack coupon!

Time and Task Management for Graduate Students with ADHD

Friday, April 19 | 12pm – 1pm | Virtual |  RSVP

Join Ellie Grossman, PhD candidate in Developmental Psychology at The CUNY Graduate Center for a workshop on time and task skills. Ellie will also use her lived experience with adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to identify some of the unique experiences that graduate students with ADHD face, and ways that time management and other strategies can help us not only achieve school-based success, but success in well-being and work-life balance.

Please join us and a receive a free snack coupon!

Open to all students, faculty, and staff – ADHDers and non-ADHDers!

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS WEEK

We are pleased to announce that our 3rd annual Student Health and Wellness Week will be held from 4/15 – 4/19.

Based on your feedback and survey responses, we’ve designed this program specifically to cater to the interests and needs of CUNY SPH students.

Join us for a diverse lineup of sessions, aimed at promoting the health of CUNY SPH students and the larger community.

Please note that the Narcan training will be in person and is open to all CUNY SPH students, staff, and faculty.

Please register below to reserve a spot in the sessions of your choosing.

Best,

Counseling and Wellness Services

Sleep Webinar: Don’t Just Dream of Better Sleep—Make it a Reality!

Monday, April 15 | 4PM – 5PM | Virtual | Register

Unlock the power of profound, rejuvenating rest. In this session we will explore the fundamentals of restorative sleep and Circadian Biology. We will delve into the world of sleep hygiene and some of the science behind quality rest and its impact on overall well-being. Discover the art and science of crafting a sleep sanctuary as well explore alternative methods of rest beyond sleep.

Narcan Training with Harlem Health Initiative

Tuesday, April 16 | 4:30PM – 5:30PM | CUNY SPH, 1st Floor | Register

Join CUNY SPH’s Harlem Health Initiative for a Narcan (Naloxone nasal spray) training with the NYCDOHMH. Attendees will receive a Narcan bag and test strips for Xylazine (Tranq) and Fentanyl. All CUNY SPH students, staff and faculty are invited to participate.

Career Wellness Workshop: You’re Hired! Set up for success from day one

Wednesday, April 17 | 5PM – 6PM | Virtual | Register

This collaboration between Tina Lin from the CUNY SPH Office of Career Services and Ashley Harwood, LMSW from CUNY SPH Counseling & Wellness Services offers a shared and supportive space to help you navigate the newness and anxieties that come with starting your career or entering a new position.

This workshop is structured into four key segments designed to equip you with both the social/emotional and practical skills necessary for early career success.They’ll cover setting up your work environment, establishing workplace boundaries, developing confidence, and lastly, implementing self-care and a growth mindset strategies. Concluding the presentation, there will be a Q&A session with an opportunity for mutual support.

Intro to Music Therapy

Thursday, April 18 | 12PM – 1PM | Virtual | Register

Dr. Brian Abrams will provide a brief introduction to and historical context of music therapy as a practice and profession, video examples of it in action with a range of communities, and several hands-on, interactive/live examples of experiences that will provide attendees a sense of what engagement in music therapy might be like. There will be a Q&A after the event.

Fountain House and The Clubhouse Model

Friday, April 19 | 1PM – 2PM | Virtual | Register

The Fountain House clubhouse is a place for people who experience serious mental illness to form friendships, offer and seek support, and learn new skills – without judgement or fees.

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CUNY SPH Anti-Hate Initiative Workshops

Bystander Intervention to Stop Stigma Around Learning Differences

April 17 | 12pm – 1pm | Virtual | RSVP

This interactive training will teach you Right To Be’s 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology. We’ll start by talking about the types of stigma that people who learn differently—including those with specific learning disabilities (LD) like dyslexia, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—face right now using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. We’ll talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and what to consider when intervening. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see stigma perpetuated around learning differences online or in person.

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GSGA Candidate Forum

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Join us for an engaging candidate forum where departing officers will pass the baton by answering your burning questions. It’s not your usual boring speeches—this is your chance to get real answers and insights straight from the folks who’ve been in the driver’s seat.

Stay tuned for more details on this event where your voice matters most!

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Hacks to Get You PhinisheD: The Dissertation Proposal and Defense

 

The GSGA is delighted to invite you to the upcoming virtual event, “Hacks to Get You PhinisheD: The Dissertation Proposal and Defense,” organized in collaboration with the SPH Doctoral Program Directors. This event aims to demystify and normalize the dissertation process for doctoral students, featuring a student-led panel discussion where six students representing the three concentrations will share their experiences and insights. If you are unable to attend, feel free to send us your questions for the Program Directors and our student panelists via email (gsga@sphmail.cuny.edu). The event will be recorded, ensuring that you receive answers to your inquiries.

RSVP link

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NYS Open Meetings Law

Pursuant to the New York State Open Meetings Law, SPH students and members of the public have the right to attend meetings of the Graduate Student Government Association without voice. We will be holding our next meeting on April 11, 2024.

Should you like to attend this meeting and observe, you may do so. Our meetings are currently being held virtually, so if you would like to sit in on one of these meetings send an email to gsga@sphmail.cuny.edu at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting and we will send the Zoom link.

A full list of SPH events can be accessed here.

Keep an eye out for updates as more events are added – you can also view up-and-coming events and public health news on our Twitter and Instagram pages, and join our private student group on Facebook.