Spring Dance Concert Highlights Identity, Culture, and Transformation
By Arlin Rodriguez
On April 22, the Spring Dance Concert at Lehman brought together 16 student choreographers who presented performances that explored identity, cultural pride, and the body in society through a mix of contemporary, street, and Latin dance styles. Developed through a choreography course, the concert featured both new and returning student artists, with performances emphasizing how dance can be used to communicate ideas about culture, identity, and personal transformation beyond words.
On Sunday, March 29, 2,000 community members packed into Lehman’s Performing Arts Center for a high-energy rally sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and headlined by Senator Bernie Sanders to urge New York Governor Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthiest members of the city.
On April 17, Lehman’s Excellence in Education and Community Conference showcased human-centric educational practices such as hands-on, experimental learning and a design thinking model. Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the event empowered students to access their multilingual abilities and personal histories and trained educators to ensure that empathy is at the front of their work with students.
Students at Lehman College in the Bronx say accessing affordable, healthy food remains a major challenge, as rising costs and limited options push many toward cheaper, less nutritious meals. This issue affects students both on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods, where fast food is often more accessible than fresh, healthy alternatives.
Cannabis in the Bronx doesn’t look the way it used to, and that change didn’t happen overnight. Since New York passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2021, legal dispensaries have slowly started to take shape across the borough. But even now, the shift from illegal to legal isn’t as simple as it sounds.
The atmosphere in the Lovinger Theatre was electric on March 31 as Lehman College gave a massive welcome to one of its most successful alumni, the Bronx-born and -based Dominican comedian and media powerhouse, the one and only Kid Mero. Taking place in the Speech and Theatre Building, the event was way more than just a celebrity appearance; it was a homecoming for a Lehman graduate who has reached the levels of the New York Times best-seller list and the NAACP Image Awards.
To close out the exhibition “The Painted Word: Text, Gesture, and Expression in Contemporary Art,” Bronx-based artist The Royal Kingbee spoke at the Lehman College Art Gallery about his artistic journey and connection to the Bronx through his Rotunda mural, which anchored the exhibition.
To close out the exhibition “The Painted Word: Text, Gesture, and Expression in Contemporary Art,” Bronx-based artist The Royal Kingbee spoke at the Lehman College Art Gallery about his artistic journey and connection to the Bronx through his Rotunda mural, which anchored the exhibition.
“The Painted Word: Text, Gesture, and Expression in Contemporary Art” opened on February 11 as the newest exhibition in the Lehman Art Gallery, exploring the deconstruction of language through diverse art forms and inspiring the community with artwork from both famous and emerging artists.
As mental health challenges continue to rise in the Bronx, college students across the borough say the pressure of working full-time, supporting their families, and keeping up with classes is pushing many to seek counseling or step away from school entirely.
Herbert H. Lehman College’s Food Bank is often open on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Room B015A in the Old Gym basement. The bank provides students with access to fresh produce, grocery bags, and grab-and-go items to fuel students. During spring 2026, the food bank experienced an increase in numbers due to many current issues increasing food insecurity.
Homelessness within New York City and the Bronx in 2026 continues to rise, with residents and social workers noticing inflation, high rent, and limited access to mental health services as key factors contributing to the increase.
On Feb. 19, Urban Male Leadership students from Lehman College attended a Black History Month program at Queens Theatre in partnership with the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association to examine the legacy of Black legal advocacy and its influence on the future of justice.
Amid growing concerns over federal funding cuts under the Trump administration, the Urban Male Leadership Program at Lehman College marked the return of its largest fundraiser, its annual brunch, after a six-year COVID-19 pause. UMLP aims to surpass the $20,000 raised at its last in-person brunch during its 10th Annual Awards & Scholarship Brunch on Feb. 7 at Eastwood Manor in the Bronx.
On Feb. 20, a meeting held for Lehman College’s AI Month demonstrated ways AI can be integrated into the classroom through a series of experiments showcasing new, inventive implementations.
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THE STUDENT VOICE OF LEHMAN COLLEGE.
The Meridian, the student voice of Lehman College, derives its name from Meridian, Mississippi, the town that served as a base for many of the Freedom Riders of 1964. It was the departure point for volunteers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who traveled to Philadelphia, Mississippi to investigate a church bombing. There they were killed by local law enforcement and the Ku Klux Klan, and thus they became martyrs in the struggle for equality. Serving Lehman College since 1964, the Meridian is the students’ and faculty’s primary source of collegiate news. Every month we provide readers with hard-hitting news stories and passionate arts, theater, dance, music, and book reviews.












On March 11, Martha McDermott, Lehman College’s Cannabis Case Manager, facilitated a Zoom seminar called “Golden Years, Greener Options: Medical Cannabis for Older Adults,” which featured medical officers Dr. June Chin and Dr. Ken Weinberg.