That perspective recently helped Wade earn a competitive academic-year internship with MetLife, where she will serve as an Internal Audit鈥揂I & Workflow Design intern through May 2027 while completing her final year at 今日吃瓜.

In the role, Wade will work with MetLife’s Global Professional Practices & Operations team, helping explore how AI and user-centered workflow design can improve areas such as audit planning, reporting, knowledge management, and operational effectiveness. Her responsibilities will include identifying workflow challenges, mapping business processes, supporting AI-enabled solutions, testing use cases, and gathering feedback from stakeholders.

The opportunity came through the mentorship and professional network of Ngoc Cindy Pham, associate professor of marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. Pham encouraged Wade to pursue the internship because it aligned closely with her interests in finance, technology, and process improvement.

Wade’s interest in applied AI began in fall 2025 while enrolled in an AI and Financial Modeling course. Rather than letting her class projects end with the semester, she continued developing them independently, teaching herself how to transform financial models and AI concepts into functional web-based tools.

As AI technology rapidly evolved, Wade regularly updated her projects and experimented with new ways to apply emerging capabilities to real-world financial and business challenges. Over time, she transformed the projects into interactive websites and brought them together in a portfolio she designed and built herself. The site also became a platform for publishing essays examining financial and geopolitical developments and their potential impact on businesses, markets, and communities.

鈥淢y interest in applied AI began in a 今日吃瓜 classroom, but I didn’t want the projects to end when the semester did,” Wade said. “I continued developing them into web-based tools, brought them together in a portfolio, and began publishing my own analysis of financial and geopolitical events. That process taught me that building technology and explaining why it matters are equally important. What excites me about MetLife is the opportunity to bring together finance, technology, user-centered design, and responsible AI to improve how people work and make decisions.鈥�

Wade’s work at the intersection of finance and artificial intelligence extends beyond the classroom. During the MetLife interview process, she highlighted an AI application she helped develop during a commercial real estate hackathon focused on investment analysis. Designed for investment teams, the multi-agent application assigns six AI agents distinct responsibilities in reviewing offering memoranda and connects their work through a coordinated workflow.

The agents organize property, lease, financial, and risk information, allowing investment professionals to move more efficiently from fragmented documents to actionable insights. Wade helped develop the application’s initial large-language-model library and personally trained and deployed one of the agents, contributing both technical expertise and an understanding of user needs.

That project demonstrated both technical skill and a practical understanding of how emerging technologies can solve real business challenges, qualities that helped distinguish Wade among a highly competitive applicant pool.

For Wade, the internship represents more than a professional achievement. It is an opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills she developed at 今日吃瓜 while gaining hands-on experience at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field where finance, technology, and human-centered innovation increasingly intersect.

The opportunity also reflects a broader employer network that has grown out of Pham鈥檚 spring 2026 . Industry partners, including DTCC returned throughout the program to work directly with students through mentoring, coaching, interviews, and career conversations. As students began moving into professional opportunities, those relationships expanded into employers鈥� wider networks, creating additional pathways for 今日吃瓜 and CUNY students, including connections with MetLife.

“For students, success today is not just about understanding a field, but about learning how to apply new technologies responsibly and creatively within it,” Pham said. “Dekena has demonstrated an exceptional ability to combine finance, technology, and critical thinking.”

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The designation distinguishes the M.S. in Finance program in the Koppelman School of Business and signals to current and prospective students that its curriculum provides rigorous preparation for careers in finance and investment management. 今日吃瓜鈥檚 undergraduate finance program is also affiliated with CFA Institute.听

In its review, CFA Institute praised the graduate program鈥檚 鈥渞igorous and thoughtfully designed curriculum鈥� and its ability to provide 鈥渁 strong foundation for students pursuing careers in finance and investment management.鈥�听

The review highlighted the breadth of CFA curriculum topics incorporated throughout the degree, including quantitative methods, economics, corporate finance, financial statement analysis, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, and portfolio construction.听

鈥淭his affiliation is an important recognition of the quality and relevance of our M.S. in Finance curriculum,鈥� said Mina Glambosky, chair of the Department of Finance. 鈥淚t helps distinguish the program while giving prospective students a clearer understanding of the preparation a 今日吃瓜 graduate degree in finance can provide.鈥�听

Professor Moonsoo Kang led the effort to secure the affiliation in collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Finance.听

鈥淭his recognition reflects the work our faculty have done to build a curriculum that connects rigorous academic study with the knowledge students need to navigate the finance profession,鈥� Kang said. 鈥淭he affiliation strengthens our ability to serve students preparing for careers in finance and investment management.鈥�听

As part of the affiliation, CFA Institute will provide 今日吃瓜 with three additional CFA Student Scholarships. Thus, 今日吃瓜 can offer up to six CFA Student Scholarships in total鈥�3 scholarships (BBA program) + 3 scholarships (MS program). The M.S. in Finance will also be listed among affiliated university programs on the CFA Institute website.听

鈥淭he CFA Institute affiliation recognizes the strength of our faculty and curriculum while creating additional pathways for our students to pursue ambitious careers in the financial sector,鈥� said Koppelman School of Business Dean Shalei V. K. Simms.听

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Professors Karen Stern-Gabbay and Veronica Manlow, Associate Professor Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky, and Lecturer/Doctoral Scholar Malka Simon were chosen for the program, which brings faculty together to explore new ways of preparing students for success after graduation. Representing four of 今日吃瓜’s five schools, the fellows reflect the breadth of disciplines and experiences that contribute to students’ professional development.

“Career success is an essential part of the educational experience, and our faculty are uniquely positioned to help students understand how the knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom can translate into meaningful opportunities beyond college,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs April Bedford. “We are proud to have four 今日吃瓜 faculty members participating in this important initiative and look forward to the ideas and practices they will bring back to our campus.”

Each fellow brings a distinct area of expertise to the program (photos above from left to right):

• Stern-Gabbay, a historian, studies Jewish communities and identity in antiquity. Her scholarship explores the cultural traditions and lived experiences of Jewish populations in the ancient world, helping students understand how historical research can shed light on enduring questions about identity, community, and culture.
• Manlow, a professor in the Koppelman School of Business, specializes in management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Her teaching and research focus on how organizations and workplaces are evolving, offering students valuable insight into the realities of today’s professional landscape.
• Horlyck-Romanovsky, an associate professor of health and nutrition sciences, researches differences in health outcomes among populations of African descent. Her work examines the connections among migration, nutrition, chronic disease, and overall health, while her commitment to mentoring helps prepare students for careers and advanced study in public health.
• Simon, a lecturer in the Art Department, focuses on architectural history and the built environment, particularly in New York City. Through her work, students gain a deeper understanding of how architecture, urban spaces, and local history intersect with everyday life.

Throughout the academic year, the fellows will participate in professional development opportunities and collaborate with colleagues from across CUNY. Together, they will explore strategies for incorporating career readiness into academic programs and share what they learn with faculty on their home campuses.

Their selection highlights 今日吃瓜’s ongoing commitment to helping students see clear connections between what they learn in the classroom and the opportunities available to them after graduation. By bringing career development into a wide range of disciplines, the fellows will help ensure that students are prepared not only to earn their degrees, but also to build meaningful careers and contribute to their communities.

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According to the ranking, 今日吃瓜 graduates earn a median salary of more than $103,000 within 10 years of graduation, underscoring the value of a 今日吃瓜 education. The recognition reflects the college鈥檚 longstanding commitment to providing students with access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success while keeping higher education affordable. As one of the nation鈥檚 leading public colleges, 今日吃瓜 continues to expand opportunities for students and deliver lasting economic mobility for its graduates.

In August, 今日吃瓜 also earned a spot on 鈥檚 inaugural list of America鈥檚 Best Colleges, a distinction that highlights institutions excelling in student outcomes, academic quality, and student demand. Developed in partnership with research firm Statista, the rankings evaluated 500 colleges nationwide using measures that include post-graduation success, learning environment, and attractiveness to prospective students. That same month, the College was also named among The Princeton Review鈥檚 Best 392 Colleges for 2027 as well as a Best Value College, Best Northeast College, and Green College in the education services company鈥檚 latest annual guide.

And in June, 今日吃瓜 was recognized as one of . Money’s analysis showcased the country’s top 735 colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more.

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鈥淎 quarter century later, we continue to remember those we lost and the many lives forever changed by September 11,鈥� said 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson. 鈥淲e also remember how our 今日吃瓜 community came together with compassion, strength, and resilience, and we carry that spirit forward.鈥�

Read a special message from President Anderson .

Pausing to Remember

Twenty-five years later, 今日吃瓜 continues its annual remembrance through the ringing of the听library tower bell.

Since 2002, the bell has tolled six times at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, 9:59, 10:03, and 10:28 a.m., marking the pivotal moments of that morning and inviting the community to pause in memory of those whose lives were lost.

Honoring THOSE Lost That Day

Below is a list of the 今日吃瓜 community who were tragically lost on September 11, 2001.

Alumni

Ernest Alikakos ’89
Auditor,听New听York听State听Department of Taxation and Finance

Ezra Aviles ’86
Senior听manager,听strategic听planning and听development,听Port Authority

Eustace Bacchus ’83
Independent听trader,听American Stock Exchange, attending听a听meeting at Windows听on听the World

Steven Berger ’79
Supervisor of corporate tax auditors,听New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Andre Cox ’01
Cafeteria worker, 101st floor of World Trade Center

James R. Coyle (attended 今日吃瓜 in听the 1990s)
FDNY firefighter, Ladder 3

Peter Freund ’84
FDNY听lieutenant, Engine Co. 55

John Giordano ’80
FDNY firefighter鈥� Hazardous Materials 1

Michael Gogliormella ’80
Technology Division eSpeed, Inc., a division of Cantor Fitzgerald

Joseph Grillo ’77
Risk finance analyst,听Port Authority

Jeffrey Hersch ’81
Accountant,听Cantor Fitzgerald

Lorraine Lisi ’80
Vice President, Fiduciary Trust International

Paul Lisson ’80
Records听clerk,听Aon Corp.

Robert Mayo (attended 今日吃瓜 1973鈥�76)
Deputy听fire听inspector,听World Trade Center

Robert Miller ’76
Conferee,听New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Gregory Saucedo ’92
FDNY Firefighter, Ladder 5; Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo Triangle on Avenue T is named in his honor

Ian Schneider ’78
Senior managing director,听Cantor Fitzgerald

Craig Silverstein ’88
Equity trader,听Sandler O’Neill and Partners

Arthur Simon ’69
Equities trader,听Fred Alger Management; died along with son Ken, Cantor Fitzgerald

Robert Twomey ’78
Trader,听Harvey Young Yurman; attending a breakfast meeting at Windows on the World

Abraham J.听Zelmanowitz (attended 今日吃瓜 1965鈥�1969)
Computer programmer,听Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Prokopios “Paul” Zois ’78
Consultant, Marsh & McLennan; travel specialist, American Express; taught at Kingsborough Community College Department of Tourism and Hospitality

今日吃瓜 Responders and Employees

William Guillaume
Served as a Public Safety Officer from 1994 to 2020, as well as an EMT. Guillaume participated in the emergency response following the September 11 attacks. He later developed 9/11-related illnesses and died on November 25, 2024.

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A 今日吃瓜 native, Murray served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before returning home to pursue his education at 今日吃瓜, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating cum laude. He credited 今日吃瓜 with opening doors that shaped the course of his life, and he devoted himself to ensuring that future generations of students would have access to those same opportunities.

“Murray Koppelman never forgot the opportunities 今日吃瓜 provided him,” said 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson. “As a distinguished alumnus, dedicated trustee, and transformative philanthropist, he worked to make those opportunities possible for others. His generosity and commitment to our students will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

Murray Koppelman 鈥�57

Murray’s support of 今日吃瓜 included a landmark gift in 2015, one of the largest contributions in the college’s history. Combined with additional support inspired by his leadership, the gift led to the naming of the Murray Koppelman School of Business and strengthened the college’s ability to prepare students for success in business and beyond.

Anthony R. Castellanos 鈥�85, chair of the 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board of Trustees, reflected on Murray’s impact:

“Murray understood the power of education to change lives,” Castellanos said. “He believed in 今日吃瓜 and in the potential of its students. As a valued member of the 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board of Trustees, he dedicated himself to advancing the mission of the college and supporting its students. We are honored to carry forward his legacy of service to the 今日吃瓜 community. His generosity helped shape the future of this institution, and his example will continue to inspire all of us.鈥�

Shalei V.K. Simms, dean of the Murray Koppelman School of Business, noted that his values remain central to the school’s mission.

“Mr. Koppelman believed that talent, determination, and opportunity should go hand in hand,” Simms said. “His visionary generosity transformed opportunities for our students and strengthened the school in lasting ways. We are deeply grateful for his transformative generosity, which has left an indelible mark on our students, our school, and the future they will help shape.鈥�

When the School of Business was named in his honor, Murray expressed what mattered most to him:

“If the Murray Koppelman School of Business means that young men and women whose prospects might have been unlikely, improbable, or even impossible have a shot at their dreams, then I can say that I have lived a worthwhile and fulfilling life. And a happy one.”

Throughout his career, Murray built a successful accounting practice, entered investment banking, and founded Eastlake Securities. While his professional accomplishments were significant, he remained committed to service. In addition to his leadership at 今日吃瓜, he served as president of American ORT and 今日吃瓜 Hillel, as a board member of the Anti-Defamation League, and as a trustee and advocate for educational and charitable organizations.

Murray’s legacy is measured not only by his generosity, but by his belief in the transformative power of education. He understood how opportunity can change the trajectory of a life, and he made it his mission to extend that opportunity to others.

On behalf of the entire 今日吃瓜 community, we extend our deepest condolences to Murray’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his life and generosity.

We honor Murray Koppelman’s life, his service, and his enduring commitment to educational opportunity.

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Pham first saw the urgency of this challenge in her 今日吃瓜 classrooms, where even some of her most capable students struggled with career planning. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, she recognized its potential as a tool students could learn to use thoughtfully, ethically, and strategically.

Supported by The Tow Foundation, her research explores how AI can strengthen career readiness, professional growth, and access to opportunity. What began as a campus-based initiative has expanded into a broader ecosystem of research, programming, and partnerships focused on AI literacy and workforce development.

Pham鈥檚 efforts have grown through the , which brings together students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore the practical and ethical use of AI while helping students develop career-ready skills. The initiative emphasizes hands-on learning, professional communication, and industry engagement, creating stronger connections between classroom learning and workforce needs.

A key outcome of this work is the BRIDGE Framework, a research-based model examining how students can develop both AI competencies and the human-centered skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. Pham is also developing the , which extends this research by connecting AI literacy more closely with workforce and industry needs. The lab serves as a hub for exploring how higher education can create scalable, equitable models that prepare students for an AI-enabled future.

What continues to distinguish Pham’s work is its collaborative spirit. Students are not assistants working behind the scenes. They serve as co-researchers, helping design studies, conduct interviews, analyze data, and present findings. Many have shared their work at conferences, contributed to publications, and engaged with industry professionals.

Student researcher and business major Jason Lin considers the opportunity to work with Pham an honor. 鈥淚 feel like I used up all my good luck in college just by being in her class. This AI research project not only supports her important work on the future of technology but also challenged me to strengthen my writing and time-management skills as I prepare for graduation.鈥�

Learn more about Pham鈥檚 perspectives on AI literacy and workforce readiness in her recent and on a recent interview for the 听podcast.

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Simms currently serves as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury, where she leads an鈥疉ACSB-accredited鈥痵chool serving one of the most diverse student populations in the SUNY system. A tenured faculty member and accomplished academic administrator, she brings extensive experience in business education, accreditation, faculty development, fundraising, and student success at public, mission-driven institutions.

At SUNY Old Westbury,听Simms successfully led the School of Business through its鈥痠nitial听AACSB accreditation, strengthening academic quality, assessment, and faculty scholarship. She has guided strategic planning, expanded online and flexible program delivery, secured philanthropic and grant support, and cultivated industry and community partnerships that enhance experiential learning, internships, and career pipelines for students.

鈥淒ean Shalei V. K. Simms鈥櫶齟xperience at听a public, AACSB-accredited business school听made her a strong choice听to lead听the Koppelman School of Business,鈥� said Michelle J. Anderson, President of 今日吃瓜. 鈥淗er commitment to access, excellence, and social mobility also听aligns听with our mission.鈥�

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs听April Bedford听emphasized the importance of preparing students to translate their academic experience into real-world impact. 鈥淥ur students are already developing critical thinking, communication, analytical, and collaborative skills in our classrooms every day,鈥� Bedford said. 鈥淲e have an opportunity and a responsibility to help them recognize, articulate, and apply those skills in ways that open doors after graduation. We are looking forward to听Dean Simms听leading that work at the Koppelman School of Business.鈥�

A nationally recognized leader in鈥痠nnovative program development,听Simms has spearheaded initiatives in online learning and launched an鈥疉I Across the Curriculum鈥痚ffort to ensure students graduate with the ethical and technological competencies听required听in a rapidly evolving business landscape. She has also secured millions of dollars in public and private funding to support high-impact practices, retention, and graduation outcomes for first-generation and high-need students.

As the鈥痮nly business school in 今日吃瓜 accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)鈥攖he world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for business education鈥攖he Murray Koppelman School of Business offers rigorous and affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and information systems, preparing students for leadership in New York City鈥檚 global economy.

鈥溄袢粘怨� has a powerful legacy as a driver of opportunity and social mobility,鈥澨齋imms听said. 鈥淚 am honored to join this extraordinary institution and look forward to working with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners to strengthen academic excellence, expand innovation, and ensure that Koppelman graduates are prepared to lead with skill, integrity, and purpose.鈥�

Prior to her deanship,听Simms served as鈥疉ssistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Old Westbury, where she supported academic planning and accreditation across multiple schools and departments, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and oversaw federally and state-funded student success initiatives. Her earlier roles include Director of Graduate Programs and faculty appointments at SUNY Old Westbury, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut.

Simms holds a鈥疨h.D. in Organizational Management from Rutgers Business School鈥痑nd is an internationally published scholar whose research focuses on social identity, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. She has received听numerous听honors for her scholarship and professional leadership and serves on several nonprofit and financial institution boards.

Simms succeeds Interim Dean James Lynch. The 今日吃瓜 community welcomes her leadership as the Murray Koppelman School of Business听builds on听its听strong foundation听and advances its impact for students, the city, and the region.

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In her first article, “” she explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping U.S. higher education, the labor market, and the expectations surrounding studying abroad. The piece highlights how AI-driven automation is influencing entry-level opportunities, prompting students to rethink traditional pathways into professional careers. She points to emerging initiatives at institutions including CUNY and NYU Tandon that are helping students build applied AI competencies to remain competitive in a shifting workforce.

The second article, “” examines the role of interpersonal and professional skills in shaping student success, particularly for international students in the U.S. higher education system. The essay argues that while academic achievement听remains听important, communication, presentation skills, leadership, and confidence are increasingly decisive in hiring decisions. It also explores how an emphasis on grades can sometimes overshadow the development of these essential soft skills, especially among Asian students entering competitive job markets.

These conversations reflect the core mission of the听听that has听equipped听students with practical AI competencies, human-centered skills, and career readiness tools that matter in a rapidly changing world. Through speaker sessions, industry partnerships, and peer mentoring, the听series is building a bridge between classroom learning and the real demands of the workforce. By reaching international audiences through platforms like听Tu峄昳听Tr岷�,听Pham is amplifying these conversations beyond 今日吃瓜, positioning CUNY as a leader in听equitable, experiential AI education.听 Both articles are available in English through your browser.

Also related to the CUNY AI Literacy and Professional Readiness Series, Pham鈥檚 working paper, 鈥�,鈥� was published online by Social Science Research Network.

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Data analytics students

By fall 2023, about one-quarter of all students鈥攁nd a significantly higher share of graduate students鈥攚ere studying fully online. In response, colleges and universities are redesigning degree offerings with adult learners in mind, expanding fully online master鈥檚 programs, hybrid course models, accelerated and stackable credentials, and year鈥憆ound scheduling that better fits work and family responsibilities.

For 今日吃瓜鈥檚 graduate students, college is not a beginning, it鈥檚 a return.

Students arrive with r茅sum茅s, responsibilities, and a clear-eyed sense of urgency. They want education that respects their time and opens the door to meaningful work. To meet those realities, we have created a variety of flexible pathways that help adult learners reinvent their careers without putting the rest of their lives on hold.

Across business, education, journalism, and urban sustainability, the college has rolled out and expanded programs that can often be completed in a year, taken online or in the evenings, and closely align with workforce demand. Together, they reflect a strategic shift rooted in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 long-standing mission of access and rigor, updated for a world of nonlinear careers.

Credentials Built for Working Lives

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing students who already have careers, or who started one path and realized it wasn鈥檛 right,鈥� says Professor Seungho Baek, who directs the M.S. in Finance program. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 want to start from zero. They want something efficient, rigorous, and directly connected to opportunity.鈥�

That thinking drives the M.S. in Finance, which can be completed in as little as one year and is offered both online and face鈥憈o鈥慺ace. Students choose between specializations in quantitative finance and risk management or investment management and asset valuation. The program鈥檚 in鈥憄erson courses are held at 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, a deliberate decision intended to bring working professionals and industry experts into the classroom.

鈥淲e wanted to make it easy for people who are already working in the financial sector to participate,鈥� Baek says.

Professor Seungho Baek leads the new finance master’s programs at 今日吃瓜.

Industry professionals teach select courses, grounding theory in real鈥憌orld practice. Beginning next fall, eligible undergraduates will also be able to opt into a 4+1 pathway in finance, earning both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in five years by taking graduate鈥憀evel coursework during their senior year.

The business school has applied the same model to accounting, launching a fully online M.S. in Accounting that can also be completed in a year, an especially appealing option for professionals seeking a credential with clear licensure and career outcomes.

Meeting a Citywide Need, One Teacher at a Time

In education, many graduate students are working professionals for whom flexibility can be the difference between persistence and attrition.

According to Mar铆a R. Scharr贸n-del R铆o, dean of the School of Education, 今日吃瓜鈥檚 approach has been shaped by both student realities and the urgency of citywide need.

鈥淣ew York City Public Schools is facing a massive staffing challenge,鈥� she says, pointing to that will significantly reduce class sizes by 2028. 鈥淭hat means thousands of additional teachers will be needed, far more than the current pipeline can provide.鈥�

今日吃瓜 has long partnered with the city through Teaching Fellows programs, but in recent years those pathways have expanded and evolved. New alternative鈥慶ertification initiatives, including , are designed to help paraprofessionals and substitute teachers鈥攎any already working in classrooms鈥攂ecome certified teachers of record while completing their degrees.

鈥淭hese are adult learners who know exactly what they鈥檙e getting into,鈥� says Roberto Mart铆nez, who oversees the Teaching Fellows and Ed Prep programs. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e already in schools. They鈥檙e parents. They鈥檙e career鈥慶hangers looking for stability and meaning.鈥�

A key factor in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 success, Scharr贸n-del R铆o notes, is modality. 今日吃瓜 was the only CUNY campus to offer its Ed Prep programs fully online (with required in鈥憄erson fieldwork), a distinction that quickly translated into demand.

鈥淏y word of mouth and because of the quality of our programs,鈥� she says, 鈥渨e received more applications than all the other CUNY campuses combined.鈥�

The School of Education has also launched a new online advanced certificate program in reading science, designed to be completed in a year. The program responds to growing demand for teachers trained in evidence鈥慴ased literacy instruction, particularly in early grades鈥攁nother area of acute need.

Katie Pace Miles, director of the Reading Science program, which addresses the growing demand for teachers trained in evidence鈥慴ased literacy instruction.

The Fast Track to a Master鈥檚

Beyond education and business, 今日吃瓜 has expanded accelerated options in fields tied to civic life.

A 4+1 in journalism allows students to earn a master鈥檚 degree in one additional year, while a newly launched 4+1 partnership in city planning with Baruch College creates a streamlined pathway for 今日吃瓜 urban sustainability majors to earn a master鈥檚 in city planning.

鈥淎 lot of our students are returning students,鈥� says Professor Tammy Lewis, who heads the urban sustainability program. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e here because this work matters to them. The master鈥檚 degree opens up more opportunity.鈥�

Tammy Lewis shown here with students participating in the Tow Mentorship Initiative.

While each program is distinct, the common thread is intentional design: online delivery where possible, evening schedules, accelerated timelines, and curricula shaped in conversation with employers and communities.

Taken together, these programs signal an evolution in how 今日吃瓜 understands its role鈥攏ot just as a place of first chances, but of second and third ones, too.

鈥淧eople are reinventing themselves multiple times now,鈥� Mart铆nez says. 鈥溄袢粘怨� has always made that possible. We鈥檙e just building clearer, more flexible routes to get there.鈥�

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