York College News: Disability Advocacy, Neurodiversity, Campus Improvements, Rising Enrollment & Student Success – September 2025 Update

01/09/2025 3 min Temporada 1 Episodio 1
York College News: Disability Advocacy, Neurodiversity, Campus Improvements, Rising Enrollment & Student Success – September 2025 Update

Listen "York College News: Disability Advocacy, Neurodiversity, Campus Improvements, Rising Enrollment & Student Success – September 2025 Update"

Episode Synopsis

Good afternoon, York College community! It's Monday, September 1st, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus.

First, let's talk about the weather. Today in Jamaica, Queens, we're enjoying sunny skies with a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit. As the day progresses, temperatures will rise to a pleasant 80 degrees by mid-afternoon, perfect for any outdoor activities you have planned.

In recent news, York College has been at the forefront of advocating for students with disabilities. Earlier this year, our college played a pivotal role in Student Empowerment Day 2025, a statewide event that gathered students, advocates, and policymakers to push for a $4.1 million increase in the state operating budget to enhance disability services across CUNY. York's strong presence was highlighted, with multiple attendees noting its engagement and leadership during the event. A significant moment came when CUNY Vice Chancellor Dr. Denise Maybank provided testimony from York's Center for Students with Disabilities, symbolizing the college's unwavering support for students with disabilities.

In May, York College students made a significant impact at the 2025 CUNY Neurodiversity Conference held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Led by Charmaine Townsell, students from the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities delivered a powerful presentation titled "CCSD’s Roadmap to Strengthening Neurodiverse Communities at the City University of New York." They highlighted the challenges neurodiverse and disabled students face, emphasizing the importance of education in building economic mobility. Their message was clear: understanding and addressing these barriers is essential for a better future.

In infrastructure news, CUNY has allocated $30 million to address groundwater flooding issues at York College. This funding is a reallocation from existing projects and aims to provide long-term solutions to the college's infrastructure challenges. However, significant funding gaps persist, with CUNY estimating a $6.2 billion need for repairs across its facilities.

On the academic front, York College is proud to welcome a new cohort of students this fall. Among them is Lamis Fawaz, who was inspired to join York after seeing a CUNY advertisement. She plans to major in aviation management, taking the first step toward her goal of becoming an airline pilot. Lamis is also planning to reactivate York's chapter of Women in Aviation International, contributing to the vibrant student life on campus.

In enrollment news, York College has seen a 3.7% increase in transfer students in Fall 2023 compared to the previous year. This success is attributed to in-person outreach efforts, with Enrollment Management Director Nick Jones emphasizing the importance of tangible conversations and community engagement.

Looking ahead, while specific events at York College for September 2025 are still being finalized, students and faculty can participate in various CUNY-wide events. For instance, the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA) has several workshops scheduled, including a Study Abroad session on September 5th. These events are great opportunities to engage with the broader CUNY community.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember to check the York College website and your student portals for the latest information on events and news.

More episodes of the podcast The CUNY York College Podcast