Welcome to the Spring 2026 semester. As classes begin this week at most CUNY colleges, new opportunities are taking shape across the University, including a push to strengthen connections with employers and programs that equip students to meet the moment in generative AI and early childhood education.
We are opening the semester with Power Your Business with CUNY, a new campaign urging the city’s industry leaders to partner with CUNY to hire our talented students and graduates and collaborate with our world-class faculty. It builds on CUNY Beyond, the initiative we launched in the fall to integrate career-connected learning into every stage of a student’s experience.
The campaign highlights the many ways New York employers can benefit from their relationships with CUNY. As Jeff Aronson, co-founder and managing principal of the investment firm Centerbridge Partners, says in one of the campaign videos: “We love working with CUNY students. They are smart. They are hardworking. And most importantly, they have grit.”
This semester, CUNY is also advancing our leadership in artificial intelligence. We’re launching the Master of Science in Generative AI at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, one of a few degrees in the nation designed to prepare professionals to lead responsibly in an AI-powered economy. The CUNY Graduate Center also just received more than $1 million from Google.org to support work with the statewide Empire AI consortium. And we’ve recently awarded more than $3 million in new grants to faculty and academic staff to advance AI initiatives that strengthen teaching and learning across the University.
Equally important is our role in advancing the push by our Governor and Mayor to launch universal child care across the state and city. This spring, CUNY SPS launches a new Master of Arts in Early Childhood and Policy Leadership, a fully online graduate program that prepares early childhood professionals to lead organizations, shape policy and expand access. CUNY already trains more than one-third of all new teachers in the New York City Public Schools and this will further expand the University’s footprint in education.
Enhanced Reporting Process
We also begin 2026 with new measures to ensure the safety, dignity, and mutual respect of our community. Through the Center for Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity, we have enhanced the process for reporting incidents of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, including reports pertaining to sexual misconduct. I urge individuals who may have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, or retaliation to submit a report through the University’s improved reporting form, which is designed to facilitate prompt review and coordinated follow-up.
Standing with Immigrants
CUNY remains steadfast in its support for immigrants. The CUNY Immigration Assistance Project, which has provided direct support to hundreds of members of the CUNY community since its launch last fall, continues to be available to all current students and employees as a rapid-response, free legal resource for those who may be affected by evolving immigration policies.
Given the increase in federal activity around the detention and arrest of those alleged to be undocumented, I want to remind you about CUNY’s policy regarding the access of law enforcement officials to our campuses. Our policy requires a judicial warrant for any federal or local law enforcement official who comes to a campus seeking to make an arrest. We are committed to protecting the rights of our students, faculty, and staff to the fullest extent of the law and regardless of immigration status.
Help in Coping
I want to acknowledge that the deeply troubling events unfolding nationwide can heighten our anxiety and impact our sense of well-being. Please remember that you are not alone—support is available. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk with faculty, advisers or mental health counselors, and stay connected with your support networks. Students may seek support by visiting the CUNY Mental Health Services Webpage. Faculty and staff may contact CCA@YourService or call CUNY’s confidential employee assistance program provider at 800.833.8707.
Safety Training
Finally, I encourage students who have not already done so to complete a voluntary Active Shooter Response Training on Brightspace. The training has been completed by more than 31,000 students since its launch in December. All employees are required to take a Workplace Violence Prevention training annually that includes active shooter protocols. While active shooter incidents on campus are rare, knowing how to respond is essential.
We start the Spring Semester on the heels of a powerful winter storm, a reminder of Mother Nature’s strength and presence. Let us be inspired by nature’s display—not discounting the disruption it has caused—to tap the strength and persistence that we know to be characteristic of the CUNY community.
To our students: Welcome back, or welcome to CUNY for the first time. To our faculty and staff: Thank you for the care you bring to your work every day. I wish you all a successful, inspiring, and healthy Spring 2026 semester.
By Félix V. Matos Rodríguez
