President’s Monthly Update
May 2025
Dear College Community,
My last update to you also included a few May updates as well, so it is hard to imagine that there is more to share for the month of May, but there is because there has been quite a flurry of activity leading up to the end of the semester.
First let me thank our outgoing chairpersons, Ivica Arsov -Department of Biology
Fenio Annansingh-Jamieson –Department of Business and Economics and
Renee Wright –Department of Nursing for their service and offer a warm congratulations to our newly-elected and acting academic chairpersons:
- Biology: Laura Beaton, Chair
- Business & Economics: Amaghioneyeodiwe Lloyd, Acting Chair
- Nursing: Patricia Burke, Acting Chair
I look forward to working with you and all our outstanding academic leaders in the coming year and beyond.
Congratulations also to our inaugural YEmmy Award winners. We celebrate you for your unwavering commitment and excellence in teaching, mentoring and service to our students and college. Everyone may not have walked away with a physical Yemmy award, but everyone -- awardees as well as those who were nominated -- is a winner. Our students win and we all win because of you. Special thank-you to Provost Brazill and Theresa Williams for ushering in this new platform for recognizing faculty and Veronica Mariani, Buildings & Grounds, IT, Communications and Marketing and our outstanding Master of Ceremonies, Tom Marion for keeping us rolling with laughter and the ceremony moving. I look forward to next year’s Award Ceremony. But even before then, the college community can expect to see plaques memorializing the names of the 2025 awardees (and all the names to come) adjacent to the FDR entrance.
Excellence in Teaching and Innovation for Full-Time and Adjunct Faculty
Andie Silva, Associate Professor, English Department
Barbara Orlowski, Lecturer, Health Professions
Jason Herel, Assistant Professor, Health Professions
Nina Sabghir, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Nursing
Reinold “Nick” McNickle, Lecturer, Health & Human Performance
Virginia Thompson, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science
Outstanding Service Award for Full-Time and Adjunct Faculty
Barbara Orlowski, Lecturer, Health Professions
Phebe Kirkham, Lecturer, English
Excellence in Supporting Student Success
Clover Hutchinson, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
Fawwaz Allie, Senior College Laboratory Technician, Communications Technology
Regina Mesir, Accreditation Specialist, Teacher Education
Excellence in Assessment
Thitima Srivatanakul, Mathematics & Computer Science
Timothy Paglione, Chair of Earth & Physical Sciences
Excellence in Mentorship
Chaitanand Radhamohan, Lecturer, Accounting and Finance
Margaret Hickey, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Mohammed J. Sarwar, Library
Regina Mesir - Teacher Education Department
Ruel Desamero, Professor, Chemistry
Last month I also attended the University’s celebration of Undergraduate Research which was further evidence of the incredible impact of faculty mentorship of our students. York College proudly had 16 student researchers present posters. Included among them was York’s 2025 Valedictorian Ngawang Samdrup: Information Systems Management major researching Prompt Engineering under the guidance of Professor Abu.
Enrollment
As of June 5, our overall enrollment is -0.7% lower and FTEs are 1.4% higher over this time last year. Summer enrollment is demonstrating a 4.2% increase over 2024. With regards to fall 2025 enrollment, compared to last year at this time, we demonstrate increased enrollment in the following cohorts: graduate students 29.9%; continuing students 0.4%. However, year-to-year enrollment is lower for first-time freshmen -7.6% and transfers -11.4%.
We continue to go all-in to increase enrollment for the Fall 2025 Semester. To this end we are currently conducting direct admissions; bus ads are circulating in Queens; and are working to build stronger relationships with College Now and YECA to strengthen the recruitment pipeline. We also continue to nudge new + continuing students in EM text messaging campaigns.
Please note that Pop-up enrollment days will occur as follows Tuesdays (Virtual, 3–5 PM) and Thursdays (In-Person, 3–5 PM).
As you know, we have launched a search for the VP of Enrollment and Retention Management. There will be an opportunity for the members of the college community to participate in an in-person forum with finalists in the coming weeks. More information will be forthcoming.
Budget and Facilities
The Budget and Planning office met with the Resource Committee and reviewed the FY 26 Division Allocations and the Strategic Initiative Funding requests.
We have submitted the Q3 Financial Plan to CUNY, which indicates that we remain on track to meet our financial targets for the current fiscal year.
Our preliminary budget allocations for Fiscal Year 2026 have been approved. In alignment with this development, the Office of Planning and Budget is currently distributing these allocations to divisions. This marks a key step in preparing for the upcoming fiscal year and enabling units to begin their planning.
Looking ahead, we are currently developing the FY 2026 Financial Plan for submission to CUNY. This process involves close collaboration with stakeholders throughout the college to ensure the plan aligns with our strategic goals and operational priorities.
We're making significant progress on several fronts all aimed at enhancing our facilities and creating a better environment for everyone. Please note the following:
HPEC LED Lighting Upgrade in the HPEC is 90% complete. This will significantly improve energy efficiency and lighting quality in the building.
Science Building LED Lighting Upgrade is 60% complete, bringing us closer to a brighter, more sustainable learning environment.
ADA Restroom Upgrade in the Academic Core building will begin this summer, starting with the F & G elevation restrooms.
HPEC Restroom and Locker Room Upgrade is 90% complete and is on track for full completion by June 30th.
The York Track Project is 95% completed. We've successfully poured concrete on Liberty Ave and are now awaiting the installation of the guard booth.
Upcoming Summer Projects
This summer, we'll be undertaking a variety of projects to further improve our campus facilities and amenities. These include:
We are nearing completion of the Cardinal Cafeteria. Get ready for the soft opening of our new campus cafe – more details to follow soon!
Two Campus Vans for athletics and college use have arrived and will be wrapped with York graphics.
HPEC Fitness Equipment Upgrade (new equipment) will be completed over the summer in time for the new academic year. HPEC Ceiling Tile
Tile Replacement will occur throughout the HPEC building over the summer to refresh its appearance.
Ten water fountain/bottle filler stations across campus will be upgraded for improved access to hydration
Many of our Classroom and Lecture Halls will receive a fresh coat of paint, creating a more inviting learning atmosphere
Campus-wide Ceiling Paintingo give our buildings a refreshed look will occur over the summer.
Campus-wide Signage Upgrades: Look out for new and improved signage across campus to enhance navigation and aesthetics
The Women’s Center has served as home to our Food Pantry. A dedicated space has been identified, and we anticipate it will be ready for the fall semester.
Our Game room will undergo a renovation, promising an even better space for recreation and leisure.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete these important projects. We believe these upgrades will significantly enhance the campus experience for everyone.
Academic Affairs
I extend a special thank you to all the Departments who hosted end-of-the-year celebrations. Unfortunately, I could not attend all celebrations, but I was able to attend the teacher education’s end of the year celebration complete with wonderful performances by a local high school. I also attended the Department of Nursing’s celebration of the first three graduates of their Master of Science in Nursing Program. Several representatives from our clinical partners and Dr. Valerie Taylor-Haslip who helped to develop the program was also in attendance to mark the occasion. The Department of Social Work paired their celebration of their BSW and MSW graduates with an honor society induction ceremony. The keynote speaker was York alum Durrell Washington. Since leaving York, he completed his MSW at Columbia University School of Social Work and was 9 days away from defending his dissertation. Thereafter, he is set to begin his tenure as an Assistant Professor in the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Mr. Washington is but one of the many, many examples of the power of York College experience and degree, and at commencement we laid witness to hundreds more. From our oldest graduate James Williams earning his baccalaureate degree at age 75, to Tatiana Mclaren who is heading into a PhD program at the CUNY Graduate Center, and ALL our Phenomenal graduates in between, our they are a big deal. Thank you for the big ways you showed up to celebrate the Unstoppable Class of 2025.
Thank you to all faculty, staff and student volunteers who helped to make the day special for our graduates and their families. There is a “Thank you BBQ “soon. More information will be forthcoming on that too.
If this week is any indication, it looks like we have turned a corner and walked right into summer. Wishing you a restful and relaxing summer doing all the things that bring you the most joy.
CVS
Claudia V. Schrader, EdD
President
York College of the City University of New York
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
Queens, NY 11451