NYC Education News

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Mount Sinai: Drug Ads Can Influence AI Responses

A Mount Sinai investigation suggests that pharmaceutical marketing can influence how artificial intelligence systems respond to medical questions, even when the advertising is clearly identified. Researchers evaluated 12 AI models using identical patient scenarios, comparing responses with and without promotional material for prescription drugs. The advertised medication appeared in nearly 48% of recommendations when an ad was included, versus 35% without one. The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, raises concerns about commercial influence on AI-generated medical guidance, particularly when recommendations appear clinically reasonable. Researchers emphasized the need for greater transparency and safeguards as AI becomes more widely used for health information.

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NYC's City College Wins $3.5M for AI Education

The City College of New York has received a $3.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to expand artificial intelligence education and workforce preparation over five years. The initiative, called ai4CCNY, will integrate AI literacy across academic disciplines, including engineering, humanities, education and the arts. Plans include a three-credit general education course, free introductory bridge courses for students and professional development workshops for faculty. Led by senior university administrators and faculty, the program aims to strengthen academic outcomes, improve career readiness and establish a model that could eventually be adopted across other City University of New York campuses.

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NYC Researchers Develop AI Tool to Predict PTSD

Researchers at NYU Langone Health have developed an artificial intelligence tool that analyzes how emergency room patients describe traumatic injuries to predict their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. The system, called PREVIA, was evaluated using narratives from 145 patients and identified more than 95 percent of those at risk in the study's testing. In one comparison, it identified all 30 patients who subsequently developed PTSD, outperforming a specialized clinician's assessment. Published in Nature Communications, the research suggests that analyzing routine patient conversations could help hospitals identify individuals who may benefit from earlier mental health evaluation and preventive care.

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NY Launches Cancer Therapy Fellowship With Puerto Rico

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new cancer care training partnership connecting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo with San Juan City Hospital and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Fellowship will provide a selected physician with one year of specialized training in cellular therapies at Roswell Park. The initiative is designed to strengthen Puerto Rico's medical expertise and expand its future capacity to offer advanced cancer treatments. Announced during the 2026 SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, the program also creates opportunities for collaboration between New York and Puerto Rican medical institutions.

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NYC's Baruch College Opens Democracy History Exhibit

Baruch College is offering visitors a look at New York City's government history through an archival exhibition examining the career of Luther Halsey Gulick III. A public administration pioneer who became the city's first City Administrator, Gulick also advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt and established the Institute of Public Administration. The exhibition, titled An Adventure in Democracy, draws from historical materials preserved by Baruch College Archives. It is displayed on the third floor of the William and Anita Newman Library in Manhattan. The exhibit will remain available through the end of 2026 and into spring 2027 for visitors with library access.

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NY Awards $1 Billion in College Aid to 300K Students

Nearly 300,000 New York State college students received financial assistance through programs administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation during the 2025–26 academic year. The agency distributed approximately $1 billion while expanding eligibility for tuition assistance and improving access for part-time students and veterans. Its annual report also highlights an estimated $15 million in college application fee savings, increased FAFSA participation and new digital resources for families navigating financial aid. Students attending CUNY, SUNY and other eligible institutions can benefit from state assistance programs. The report documents statewide results rather than a separate funding total for New York City.

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CUNY Names Keena Lipsitz NYC Urban Research Director

CUNY political science professor Keena Lipsitz has been appointed director of the Graduate Center's Center for Urban Research, succeeding longtime leader John Mollenkopf following his retirement. The center has spent more than three decades examining New York City's economic conditions, political landscape and social challenges through research and data analysis. Lipsitz, who also teaches at Queens College, specializes in elections and political campaigns. Her appointment marks a leadership transition at an academic research institution whose work contributes to understanding urban government and public policy. Lipsitz previously collaborated with Mollenkopf and plans to continue the center's longstanding research mission under her leadership.

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St. John's University Raises Record $5.5M in NYC

St. John's University raised a record $5.5 million for student scholarships during its annual President's Dinner, held October 29 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The fundraising total exceeded the previous $4 million record and brought the event's cumulative contributions above $60 million since 1998. More than 700 guests registered for the gathering, which recognized alumni and supporters whose contributions help students facing financial barriers to higher education. Five members of the university community received Spirit of Service honors. The event also featured students sharing how scholarship assistance has helped them continue their studies and pursue professional goals.

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CUNY Free OMNY Card Program Reaches 99% Uptake

A New York City initiative covering public transportation costs for selected CUNY students has recorded nearly complete participation in its first distribution phase. Of 700 students offered free, unlimited OMNY cards, 693 have collected them, according to university and City Council officials. The $700,000 pilot targets financially eligible full-time students attending in-person classes. Interest extends far beyond the initial recipients, with more than 28,500 students requesting consideration. Cards provide unlimited transit during designated fall and spring periods. The program addresses commuting expenses that can complicate college attendance, although its longer-term impact on student retention has not yet been established.