President’s Monthly Update
March 2026
I hope this update meets you in great health and spirits, that your Easter and Passover were fulfilling and that you are enjoying your Spring Break. It’s hard to believe we have a few weeks left until the end of the semester. Before I share updates from March, please take note of the following:
While March Madness made its way across the nation this past month, March Goodness made its way throughout York.
- From the excellent Faculty Forum with presentations from Profs. Burke, Alexandre and Stores
to the SGA’s Monthly Town Hall
to celebrations of Social Work Month and Women's History Month
- to the Senior Salute and the inspirational address from our alum Christopher Peguero
- to Nursing Departments Prof. Burke and recent graduate Nicele Arana’s selection by the Transcultural Nursing Society to serve as delegates to the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
to our recognizing Rajendra Persaud as our February 2026 Employee of the Month
to signing a Letter of Intent with Tokyo Metropolitan University
to the Leadership Council's Constructive Dialogue training session
- to a Celebration and of the life of Madeleine C. Roach, York Alumna and Corporal of the 6888thCentral Postal Directory Battalion (known as the Six Triple Eight)
- to Prof. Sparacino’s Talk on the Dilemmas of Immigration “Control” in the USA with Dr. James Hollifield
- to our annual Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)Talk
- to welcoming a Bob Beamon former track and field coach and 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist back home to York
- to celebrating the achievements of our students named to the Dean’s List
and to congratulating Dr. Khandaker on his appointment to the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Foundation Board . . . last month was filled good times, brought to you by the faculty, staff and students.
As you know, in order for our financial plan to continue to bear fruit it is essential that we continue to make strategic hires especially those related to health and safety such as the Director of Counseling and the Director for Environmental Health and Safety those that are revenue generating especially in the area of Enrollment, and those that support critical offices and operations at the college such as in the area of Procurement. As I shared previously, we were given a directive to conduct searches for current ECP positions with interim status. We are also seeking to begin searches for faculty needed in accredited programs as well HEO positions with substitute status.
Increasing Enrollment and Retention
As of today, we have 1252 students registered. Last year at this time we had 932 students registered. The Division of Enrollment Management and Retention has several initiatives underway aimed at increasing new student enrollment and continuing student retention such as opening registration earlier, increased presence and recruitment activity at community colleges, and VREADY our new online one stop registration and advisement platform. VREADY is active on Wednesdays and Fridays. Login information can be accessed here: https://www.york.cuny.edu/enrollment-retention-management/events/v-ready-apr8. I will also share that our one-year (Fall 2023 to Fall 2024) retention rate for Full-Time First Time Freshmen is 68.0 an increase of 10.6% over the previous year. It is also the highest it’s been since 2016. The one semester retention rate increased to 86% in 2024, from 82.4% in 2023. It is also the highest it’s been since 2017 when it was 87%.
Relaunch Workforce Development and Continuing Education Programming
As you know over the past few months, Dina Zigari-Limandri has worked tirelessly as our Interim Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education to create a conceptual framework for the college’s relaunch Workforce Development and Continuing Education program, solicit ideas for courses and assisting with their development, pursue opportunities, meet with faculty as well as a number of external organizations and individuals, design a website, create a policy and operations manual, and finalize our first Spring/ Summer 2026 course offerings. In a matter of months, she has made a tremendous impact. Unfortunately, Dina’s last day at York was March 31st. Although we are sad to see her go, I couldn’t be more grateful for all she has done to resuscitate WDCE programming at York. Our Spring 2026 launch will continue (a bit later than scheduled) but nevertheless with the welcomed assistance and leadership of George Rosales.
George has over 15 years of experience leading adult and continuing education strategy, operations, and program growth. He has experience building employer and community partnerships, developing workforce programs aligned with labor market needs, and leading teams through program redesign and operational improvement. He has worked at John Jay as a Continuing Education Instructor in the Office of Professional Studies, at Medgar Evers as the Director of Adult and Continuing Education, and at Long Island University as the Executive Director in the School of Continuing Studies. He started on April 6 and can be reached Monday through Wednesday at extension 3701 or Jrosales1@PROTECTED. Please join me in welcoming George to York College.
Increase Fundraising Revenue
For the third year in a row, we are conducting a fundraising campaign centered on the class of 2026 with the goal of cultivating a spirit of philanthropy among our soon to be graduates. The Class of 2024 raised $200 and the class to 2025 raised $600. We are asking each member of the Class of 2026 to donate $20.26.
As you know our Office of Institutional Advancement is a mighty, but small team, so we will be meeting with the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Todd Galitz to discuss and explore potential naming opportunities at the College.
Finally, start polishing your dancing shoes, and get ready to cut a rug at our 60th Anniversary (and fundraising) Gala in October. More information will be forthcoming.
Government Relations and Advocacy
Last month I had the opportunity to attend the CUNY Grown Breakfast Reception in Albany to recognize NYS Legislators who are CUNY alum. Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks (District 35) attended York as did Jamie Williams who represents Assembly District 59 in Brooklyn. Legislators were in session, but I was happy to have the opportunity to chat with two of our biggest cheerleaders who also happen to be Chairpersons of their respective Higher Education Committees, Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman and Senator Toby Stavisky who sponsored the reception. I was also excited to meet Manuel DaMoto and Tiffanie Grimes two York students who are interning for Assemblywomen Marcela Mityanes (District 51 BK) and Rodneyse Bichotte (District 42 BK) respectively. Post reception, I was able to meet with Senator Leroy Comrie, and Assemblyman Clyde Vanel.
Assessment/ Institutional Effectiveness
In late Fall 2024, CUNY administered the Our CUNY Campus Climate Survey to gain a deeper understanding of student experiences related to inclusion, respect, and belonging across CUNY campuses. The survey was administered to all degree-seeking students between November 13 and December 20, 2024, through email, text, and coordinated marketing efforts. At York, the response rate was 8.3% with 373 completing the survey, while the overall response rate for the University was 7.6% (n=15,702). The report can be accessed via the college intranet. This report compares results from York with those of CUNY and identifies salient findings. We were asked to review findings and develop an action plan to address. To achieve this, I assembled a small committee of faculty, staff and students to review findings and develop an action plan. Thank you to Dr. James Salnave, Danielle Holmes, Renee Wright; Selena Rodgers, Roosevelt Smith, Nichole Acevedo, Akkeem Pollack, Faith Ibeh, Hector Santos and Lori Hoeffner. Results and the action plan have been posted to the college’s intranet.
Commencement is literally around the corner! The celebrations have begun with the selection of Jeremiah Aneke as Valedictorian, Ms. Redda Das as Salutatorian, and Lucien Metellus, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as the 2026 Commencement Speaker. Mr. Lucien was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens where he attended Springfield Gardens High School. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University and currently as over 290,000 members in the organization. I look forward to his inspirational message to students. We submitted two names for consideration to receive Honorary Degrees. The Board of Trustees will render a final decision in the coming weeks.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone on campus after Spring Break!
Claudia Schrader, EdD
President
York College of the City University of New York
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
Queens, NY 11451