On October 16, 2024, officials from the City University of New York (CUNY), including Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Member Eric Dinowitz, convened at CUNY’s Welcome Center to commemorate a milestone for the CUNY Reconnect program. This initiative, aimed at assisting New Yorkers who have accumulated college credits without completing their degrees, has successfully re-enrolled over 40,000 individuals since its launch.
Growth of the CUNY Reconnect Program
During the current fall semester, the program has welcomed nearly 8,000 new students, bringing the total number of participants to over 40,000. Since the program’s inception, more than 3,000 participants have graduated, with a focus on supporting women and people of color.
Increased Funding and Support
Initially launched as a pilot program in 2022 with city funding of $4.4 million, the budget for CUNY Reconnect has been increased to $5.8 million for the academic year 2024-2025, reflecting support from the City Council. The program offers essential services for non-traditional students by connecting them with admissions specialists at the Welcome Center, who assist in navigating the process of returning to CUNY.
Impact on Communities
In remarks made during the event, Speaker Adrienne Adams emphasized the significance of investing in educational and economic opportunities, stating that the success of CUNY Reconnect illustrates the program’s positive impact on communities throughout the city.
Educational Access in New York
Chancellor Matos Rodríguez highlighted the demand among New Yorkers for increased educational access, noting the ongoing success of CUNY Reconnect as a testament to this need.
Transformative Initiative for Degree Attainment
Council Member Dinowitz remarked on the program’s role in addressing the degree attainment gap for people of color, describing CUNY Reconnect as a transformative initiative that enables thousands of New Yorkers to return to their education and enhances economic opportunities.
Demographics of the Fall Cohort
While most participants traditionally enroll in the spring, this fall has observed the largest cohort of Reconnect students, with approximately 7,845 enrolled. The demographics reveal a diverse array of students, nearly 56% of whom identify as Black or Hispanic. A significant proportion of these individuals are pursuing degrees in STEM and health professions.
Resources at CUNY’s Welcome Center
CUNY’s Welcome Center, located at 217 E. 42nd St., provides aspiring students with access to admissions specialists and resources aimed at helping them realize their academic ambitions.
CUNY’s Role in Social Mobility
The City University of New York serves over 233,000 students across its campuses and plays a crucial role in promoting social mobility in New York City by providing quality education to students from diverse backgrounds and financial situations.
Source: CUNY News