Governance – Lifelong Peer Learning Program

The Lifelong Peer Learning Program (LP²) is a program of The Office of Academic Initiatives and Strategic Innovation (AISI) of the CUNY Graduate Center, the public post-graduate university of the City University of New York (CUNY) which fosters advanced graduate education, original research and scholarship, innovative university-wide programs, and vibrant public events.

The mission of The Office of Academic Initiatives and Strategic Innovation, which is led by Dean Brian Peterson, is to provide leadership for innovative program development through collaborative partnerships, detailed research, exceptional support services, and utilization of best practices. LP² operates in accordance with The LP² Guidelines as a noncredit program of the CUNY Graduate Center under the leadership of our Director, the member elected Advisory Board and Executive Committee and the dedicated LP² Committees.

Director

Mariel Villeré, the Program Development Director for The Office of Academic Initiatives and Strategic Innovation (AISI), with support from College Assistant Nancy Paucar, Administrative Coordinator Joanna Micek, and College Assistant Valerie Joly, administers the LP²program, manages registration and fees, coordinates with the Advisory Board and committees, and provides member support.

Advisory Board

The LP² Advisory Board advises and works with the Director to develop policy and, with committee input, ensures the continuation of our dynamic, peer learning community. The Board initiates and monitors new programs, oversees the work of the Committees and organizes General Membership Meetings at the beginning and end of each semester.

The Advisory Board consists of twelve elected members, a Chair Emeritus and 3 core committee chairs (Admissions, Curriculum and Diversity). The Board meets bi-weekly during the school year and as-needed during other periods. Board members serve for 3 years, with 1/3 of the Board elected annually. Advisory Board members act as the liaisons to the Board for a specific portfolio of committees. Board representatives also encourage members to coordinate study groups, assume leadership and administrative roles, and take part in LP²social activities and community services. The Advisory Board Meeting Minutes are accessible to members.

Any LP² member is eligible to run for the Advisory Board, with one position reserved for a member who has been in the organization for 3 years or less. Any member may nominate themselves or another qualified member to serve on the Advisory Board by completing the Advisory Board Nomination Form. Elections are held annually, usually toward the end of the spring semester. Candidates statements of their qualifications and what they hope to contribute as Board members are available in advance of the election. Campaigning and electioneering is prohibited. See the LP² Guidelines for more information about the election process.

Elected Representatives

Charles Brecher (’25)	Maury Harris (’25)	Judy Monson (’25)	Patrick Siconolfi (’25)
Barbara Marwell (’24)	Michael Kessler (’24)	Jan Adler (’24)	Bruce Smith (’24)
Bob Cohn (’26)	Lesley Herrmann (’26)	Ruth Mackaman (’26)	Judith Siegel (’26)

Committee Representatives

Admissions and Membership	Curriculum	Diversity
Michelle Harris	Randy Ross	Susan Sabatino

Advisory Board Executive Committee

The LP² Executive Committee, elected annually by the Advisory Board from among its members, consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary, with other members recommended at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets with the Director to monitor, review and recommend programs, policies and procedures, plan the agendas for the bi-weekly Advisory Board meetings, and organize the General Membership Meetings (GMM) which usually take place at the start and end of each fall and spring semesters.

Committees

Committees play a major role in managing LP² functions: recruiting and supporting our members, organizing 30+ member-led study groups on a wide range of topics, planning and executing numerous extra-curricular activities and, of course, planning for the future of LP². Each committee coordinates with other committees and the Advisory Board as needed. With approval by the Advisory Board, members may form new committees to try out new ideas and meet new needs. Staffed by members with appropriate skills and imagination, the Committees listed here meet members’ needs and keep LP² moving forward. Learn more about each below:

How to Get Involved…

Coordinate a Study Group, Volunteer, Participate in Special Interest Group Activities, Join a Committee, Run for the Advisory Board. Learn more.