Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate and Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York | CUNY Graduate Center
Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate and Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York | CUNY Graduate Center
Today, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Member Eric Dinowitz celebrated a significant milestone for the CUNY Reconnect program at the university's Welcome Center. The initiative aims to re-engage New Yorkers who have earned college credits but have not completed their degrees. This fall saw nearly 8,000 new enrollments, bringing the total number of participants to over 40,000.
CUNY Reconnect was established in partnership with Speaker Adams and the City Council as a pilot program in 2022 with $4.4 million in city funding. Due to its success and advocacy from the Council, funding increased to $5.8 million for the 2024-2025 academic year. More than 3,000 students who returned through this program have graduated.
"Investing in educational and economic opportunities like CUNY Reconnect is indispensable to the health of our communities and entire city," said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "Since its launch in 2022, over 40,000 working-age students have returned to CUNY to complete their degrees."
"The ongoing success of CUNY Reconnect is no surprise given how many New Yorkers want to expand their skills and education," stated Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez.
"CUNY Reconnect is transforming lives by helping tens of thousands of New Yorkers return to finish their degrees," added Council Member Eric Dinowitz.
The Welcome Center serves as a central hub where non-traditional students can work with admissions specialists on enrollment processes within the CUNY system. Although most enrollments occur in spring, this fall's intake was notable for its size—7,845 students—and diversity; nearly 56% are Black or Hispanic.
Among those re-enrolled is Jesse Baltazar, who returned after leaving his previous institution due to mental health issues. His goal is now focused on becoming a special education teacher.
CUNY remains an essential part of New York City's educational landscape since its founding in 1847 as America's first free public higher education institution. It continues its mission today across multiple campuses serving more than 233,000 students annually while contributing significantly both economically and culturally throughout all five boroughs.
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