NYC Gazette

The City University of New York (CUNY) has launched the second phase of its advertising campaign titled "A Degree for Every Dream." This initiative aims to highlight the excellence, affordability, and impact of a CUNY education.

The campaign builds on efforts from last fall and is state-funded. It emphasizes the wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree options at CUNY, along with rigorous academic programs and access to resources across campuses. The advertisements also showcase the career achievements of CUNY alumni.

“CUNY continues to help New Yorkers achieve their professional dreams,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “As we extend this campaign, we want current and prospective students to know about all of the University’s academic offerings and get inspired by our alumni who are strengthening our city each day.”

These ads will run until the end of the year and feature over 80 students and alumni from 15 CUNY colleges. Locations include various campuses such as Mina Rees Library at the CUNY Graduate Center, a science lab at City College of New York, Dolphin Cove student dorm at College of Staten Island, Queens College's quad, and Lehman College's swimming pool.

The campaign aims to promote diversity across the five boroughs, positioning CUNY as an attractive educational option. Advertisements can be seen on train cars, subway stations across New York City Subway, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, city buses, bus shelters, Staten Island Ferry terminals, NJ Transit trains, PATH trains, and digital highway billboards.

One ad titled “Influence Your Industry” features four CUNY alumni including Katarina Matic. Matic expressed her pride in being part of this initiative: “I am honored to be a part of this initiative because CUNY attracts and builds a lot of talent that this city should celebrate."

Current students are also central to this campaign. Dave Olajide from Baruch College emphasized how he wanted others to see CUNY's impact: “CUNY is opportunity...for not only me but for hundreds of thousands of people.”

An ad titled "Add to Your Close Friends" highlights students representing their respective colleges within CUNY.

Each advertisement encourages viewers to apply to the University through a dedicated webpage offering information on degree programs and student support services.

“We take great pride in amplifying the stories of our University through this beautiful and far-reaching campaign,” stated Maite Junco, Senior Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing at CUNY.

The previous installment won awards including a Silver Telly Award in "Branded Content: Recruitment," a Gold Award from Collegiate Advertising Awards, and recognition from Education Digital Marketing Awards.

CUNY remains a major public university contributing significantly to social mobility in New York City since its founding in 1847 as America’s first free public higher education institution.