NYC Education News

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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.

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Hochul Announces $14M for Brooklyn Cultural Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $14 million in New York State funding for infrastructure and expansion projects at three Brooklyn cultural institutions. The investments include $7 million for the Brooklyn Children's Museum to develop its Earth Science Garden and upgrade museum infrastructure, $5 million for the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) to expand its production facilities at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and $2 million for repairs to the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Peter Jay Sharp Building. The funding, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, is intended to expand educational programming, support workforce development and preserve cultural facilities serving Brooklyn communities. The projects will be implemented by the respective institutions.

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NYC's 14th Street Y Gets $15M for Renovations

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million in funding for renovations at the Sol Goldman YM-YWHA 14th Street Y in Downtown Manhattan, bringing combined state support to $15 million with an additional $5 million secured by State Senator Brian Kavanagh. The funding will support a planned $52.3 million, phased renovation of the community center, which is operated by Educational Alliance and serves New Yorkers through early childhood education, fitness, aquatics, arts and cultural programs, Jewish community activities and older adult services. Planned improvements include modernization of the gym, pool, classrooms and theater, along with new event spaces, entrances and accessibility upgrades. UJA-Federation of New York is also partnering with the organization on the renovation project.

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Freshkills Park Gets $687K for Environmental Research

Freshkills Park in Staten Island will receive nearly $687,000 in federal funding to expand its Science & Stewardship Program and establish resources for long-term environmental research. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis announced the funding alongside Mark Murphy, president of the Freshkills Park Alliance and administrator of the park. The investment will support scientific equipment, environmental monitoring tools, data systems and greenhouse resources for studying the park's grasslands, wetlands, shorelines and wildlife. Researchers will collect baseline environmental data to help guide future restoration and habitat maintenance. The program will also provide students with internships and hands-on conservation training as Freshkills continues its transformation from a former landfill into a public park and research landscape.

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Gotham Health Expands Child Development Care in Bronx

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is expanding developmental-behavioral pediatric care at its Morrisania location in the Bronx, building on services at St. Nicholas in Harlem. The multidisciplinary program brings together pediatric specialists, speech and occupational therapists, psychologists, physiatrists and social workers to support children with autism, developmental delays, learning difficulties and behavioral challenges. Between April and October 2026, the two locations recorded 5,151 developmental pediatrics encounters, including 4,441 at Morrisania and 710 at St. Nicholas. Dr. John Gaipa provides specialized developmental care at Morrisania, while Dr. Tyrone Bentley leads developmental evaluation services at St. Nicholas. Families can learn more or request appointments through Gotham Health's central scheduling line.