NYC Gazette

The chancellors of the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) made a visit to Brooklyn International High School to engage with students involved in educational programs aimed at easing their transition to college and preparing them for careers. The focus of this visit was on College Now and FutureReadyNYC, two initiatives designed to support students in high-demand fields such as education.

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, noting, "The students at Brooklyn International High School are a testament to what can be achieved when you bring together the nation’s largest public school system and largest urban university." He highlighted the importance of the partnership in empowering students toward higher education and career success.

NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos echoed the sentiment by stating, "This visit is a powerful reminder of how partnerships can expand opportunity for our students." She emphasized the role of initiatives like College Now and FutureReadyNYC in providing access to college and career pathways, investing in future educators, and building an inclusive economy in New York City.

FutureReadyNYC offers various career pathways for students, including education, business and finance, healthcare technology, human and social services, and HVAC and other green careers. The program allows students to explore these fields through paid work experience and personalized career advising. This initiative is supported by College Now, a dual enrollment program that enables high school students to earn college credits, with participation from more than 28,000 students annually.

The visit comes amid concerns over a looming teacher shortage, with New York projected to need 180,000 new teachers over the next decade. CUNY is actively involved in addressing this gap, enrolling over 15,000 students in education programs each year and contributing a significant portion of new teachers to the NYCPS system.

Arika Ather, a FutureReadyNYC student, shared her experiences of completing college courses and gaining work experience at New York Presbyterian Hospital and as a tech assistant. Describing her educational journey, Arika said, "I explored different pedagogies and thought about the possibilities in education." She plans to pursue psychology at Hunter.

Similarly, Brooklyn International senior Mushtariy Abdualimova praised the programs for offering new opportunities, enabling her to earn CUNY credits and complete internships. She plans to study business and science at Brooklyn College.

This visit follows Governor Kathy Hochul's proclamation of April as Financial Aid Awareness Month, which aims to ensure that students and families receive the necessary information for making higher education affordable.

NYCPS is the largest public school system in the United States with over 1.1 million students and more than 75,000 teachers. Meanwhile, CUNY remains a key public institution for fostering social mobility, serving nearly 240,000 students across its colleges and providing quality education to diverse populations.