‘CUNY Beyond’ and ‘CUNY Reconnect’ Expand to Additional Colleges as the University Unveils New Academic Programs in Climate Change, AI and Computational Linguistics; Increases Housing Options for Students
The University Launches New Merchandise Line Designed by Recent Graduates
The City University of New York kicks off the 2026-27 academic year this week as it’s rolling out the expansion of its signature career-connected learning and adult learner engagement initiatives and unveils new academic offerings and housing opportunities for students. The University has also launched a new line of merchandise aimed at boosting campus pride. About 250,000 students begin classes this Fall across the University’s 26 bustling campuses, most of which open this week.
“The beginning of the fall semester brings a welcome sense of renewal and shared purpose to our campuses,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “Our mission is built on the belief that by equipping New Yorkers of all backgrounds, from every neighborhood, to thrive in the classroom and after they graduate, we power the future of New York. By expanding career-connected learning for all CUNY students including a growing number of adult learners, we are ensuring they have the practical foundation they need to lead, succeed and bolster our city’s workforce.”
CUNY Beyond, the University’s ambitious plan to prepare every student for post-college success, will expand to five additional colleges with support from a $6.8 million investment included in the state budget as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York Career Connect Initiative. These newly participating colleges — Baruch College, City College of New York, Kingsborough Community College, Queensborough Community College and York College — bring to nine the number of campuses engaged in the initiative, more than doubling the program’s previous campus footprint. Launched last year at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hunter College, LaGuardia Community College and Lehman College, the program has already increased student applications for paid internships and worked with nearly 12,000 employers to help students effectively begin careers.
Reconnecting With Students
The New York State Reconnect initiative, which provides free tuition, books and supplies for eligible adults ages 25-55 as they pursue an associate degree in high-demand fields, will expand to three additional colleges and more fields. With financial support from Gov. Hochul, Reconnect, which enrolled more than 9,000 adult learners in 2025-26 and distributed more than $3 million in financial assistance, will expand beyond the University’s seven community colleges to include the associate degree programs at the College of Staten Island, Medgar Evers College and New York City College of Technology.
Added fields include targeted nursing pathways for adults with prior degrees and K-12 teachers to address regional staffing shortages. Also included are pathways for early childhood educators, who are vital to meeting state and city universal childcare goals; a $2.5 million investment included in the city budget will help the University recruit professionals into its child care programs to obtain credentials and certification.
Similarly, the New York City-led CUNY Reconnect program, which enabled over 25,000 students to re-enroll across senior colleges and community colleges last year, will continue to provide academic and financial support for returning students. New York City funds will be used to help students clear prior balances so they can re-enroll.
New Academic Offerings
The start of the semester introduces a select number of new academic programs across the University. Baruch College is launching two environment-focused majors in environmental science and environmental studies, which will train students to address climate change, pollution and over-reliance on natural resources. Lehman College will debut a doctorate in human performance and fitness, becoming the only public institution in New York City to offer a Ph.D. in an exercise-related discipline, while Queens College will be the first CUNY college to offer a B.S. program in computational linguistics, a rapidly expanding field.
The University is responding to increased demand for research, innovation and education in computational sciences and artificial intelligence. Hunter College will introduce a selection of AI-infused courses, enabling students to integrate AI responsibly into their learning. Baruch will offer a bachelor’s degree program in applied data science and AI to enhance the interaction between developers and users of AI and teach students to solve problems responsibly. The CUNY Graduate Center will welcome Dimitrios Sounas, an associate professor of computational photonics and the first of 25 faculty members to be hired through the Martin S. Spergel Initiative in Computational Sciences. The program was funded through a $75 million gift from the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International to establish the University as a hub for the rapidly expanding sector.
CUNY will establish the AI-Enabled Bio-Inspired Materials Ecosystem (AI-BIOME), a national AI and robotics laboratory supported by an $18.1 million award from the National Science Foundation. The four-year project aims to speed the discovery, design and production of advanced bio-inspired materials.
The new academic year will also bring enhanced guidance for faculty and staff in supporting more than 14,000 CUNY students who self-identify as having a disability. CUNY’s central Office of Disability Programs is launching the CUNY Digital Accessibility Resource Hub, a one-stop resource for faculty and staff to reference practical guidance on creating accessible digital content and fostering inclusive learning environments.
Expanded Housing
This academic year also brings new residential options, expanding the University’s housing capacity to support students seeking a campus-connected experience. Lehman College marks the opening of its first student dorm, making it the seventh CUNY college to host a residential housing option. Housed in the landmarked Dollar Savings Bank Building on Grand Concourse in the Bronx, The Lehman Grand provides housing for more than 180 residents, offering a vital residential hub on a campus of 12,000 students.
Complementing this effort, the Housing Access Pilot (CHAP) enters its second year by offering revamped double- and triple-occupancy room configurations at FOUND Study Midtown East, located at 569 Lexington Avenue at E. 51st Street. The program is open to students in good academic standing, with priority given to undergraduate students who have earned at least 18 credits and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. CHAP expects to house approximately 50-60 CUNY students from multiple CUNY campuses this fall.
Showcasing CUNY Pride
Students can also showcase their campus pride through “NYC by CUNY,” the University’s 2026 merchandise collection designed by recent graduates. The lineup of t-shirts, hats, and totes — along with an exclusive soccer jersey released for the World Cup — was recently spotlighted by Hypebeast, a leading lifestyle and streetwear brand, and is available for purchase at CUNY Collegiate apparel.
Classes are opening this week across most CUNY campuses, with three community colleges — Guttman, Kingsborough and LaGuardia — scheduled to begin their semesters on September 14.
