NYC Gazette

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez has expressed support for Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State address, highlighting its focus on inclusivity and sustainability. According to the Chancellor, the address "offered a clear-eyed vision of a more inclusive and sustainable future and how public institutions like CUNY can play a critical role in preparing New Yorkers to meet tomorrow’s challenges."

The Governor's plan includes expanding apprenticeship programs across all seven CUNY community colleges and introducing an initiative to provide free community college education for adults pursuing degrees in high-demand fields such as nursing, teaching, technology, and engineering. The Chancellor believes these measures will "expand access to industry pipelines and enable countless individuals, particularly those from underserved communities, to access prosperous, sustaining careers."

Chancellor Matos Rodríguez also emphasized the importance of addressing climate change as part of future planning. He noted that "Gov. Hochul smartly recognizes the potential contributions that CUNY’s 25 campuses can play in the critical work of curbing our consumption of fossil fuels and meeting New York State’s ambitious carbon reduction goals." This effort aims to benefit not only the university community but also local neighborhoods.

The Chancellor expressed gratitude towards Gov. Hochul for her proposals that build on recent investments in establishing the CUNY School of Medicine as an independent institution and expanding their Associates of Applied Science College Apprenticeship program. These initiatives are seen as vital for maintaining CUNY's role as a key driver of upward mobility in New York.