President’s Monthly Update
April 2026
Dear College Community,
I would like to make you aware of a recent matter involving a student complaint that stems back to fall 2025. A student filed a complaint with MSCHE alleging that the College failed to comply with policies pertaining to the distribution of funds. We were asked for and subsequently submitted a response that demonstrated all policies and processes were followed correctly.
However, MSCHE has asked for further information, requiring that we submit a formal supplemental report that details the College’s compliance with Standard II, Criteria 3 and 8, and Criteria VI, Criteria 11, including evidence. In the supplemental report, MSCHE requests that we focus on processes, data and analysis, and any changes to policy and procedure to illustrate how the institution complies with MSCHE Standards, the institution's own policies, and MSCHE policies and procedures. The Report has been submitted to MSCHE, and we await their review and response. Thank you to Lori, Sinu and all those who prepared the report for submission.
Our last MSCHE visit we were put on warning. Last year we had to submit a Supplemental Information Report because of our graduation rates. And let me tell you what they say is true, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. And these areas of concern have helped us to focus our efforts to improve institutional and student outcomes. In the spirit of assessment, we continue to use this opportunity to review our policies and procedures, validate our efforts, or make improvements as needed. I want to be clear that this is not a Financial Aid matter, or an OIESP matter, this is a college matter because the entire college is accredited by MSCHE.
This is a reminder of the importance of the work that we do. Thank you to all those who attended our first MSCHE Self Study Forums in the latter part of April. Also, a special kudos to VP Lori and her team, presenters Phebe Kirkham, Kristin Davies, and James Salnave, Ed.D. all those engaged in assessment and all attendees for filling the room at our 6th Annual Assessment Day.
Financial Recovery Plan Updates
Enrollment
As of May 9th, we have 2038 students registered for the Fall 2026 semester. Last year at this time we had 1725 students registered. For more detailed information, please review VP Rivera’s Monday Morning Enrollment Report.
The Division of Enrollment Management and Retention has several initiatives underway aimed at increasing new student enrollment and continuing student retention. We opened registration earlier, increased presence and recruitment activity at community colleges, and VREADY our new online one stop registration and advisement platform. VP Rivera along with members of her team have also had meetings with seven academic departments to address ongoing challenges and discuss ways in which they can be supportive. As you know we have a large College Now student population; yet many students do not matriculate to York College. As such, we are embarking on an initiative to increase matriculation rates through outreach to the parents of the 1500+ College now students benefiting from York courses to increase the number of students who matriculate at York. In June we will host our first Parent breakfast, and we have updated our College Now website to include a special Parent section: https://www.york.cuny.edu/college-now/college-now-parents.
Thank you to all the offices and departments, advisors, mentors and individuals doing their part to ensure as many students as possible can reap the benefits of a York Education. A special thank you to the backbone of our college: our Administrative Assistants. We had the opportunity to celebrate them with a lunch on Administrative Appreciation Day, but our appreciation for all that they do on the frontline of their offices goes far beyond just a day.
Workforce and Continuing Education
The focus on enrollment and retention is two of the ways we continue to address our structural deficit. Unfortunately, the shift in Workforce and Continuing Education leadership has resulted in a delay of the implementation of the program for the spring, but we continue to our efforts to relaunch the program. Opportunities continue to knock on our door have been invited to participate in workforce development initiative linked to the Port Authority. More information will be forthcoming.
Advancement and Fundraising
Last month we hosted Dermot Symth, Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs, Todd Galitz, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Emily Moqtaderi Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, for a walk-thru and discussion of naming opportunities for a number of spaces on the campus such as the Plaza, Athletic Field, PAC, the theater and even the seats in the theater. We are developing a short term and long-term plan for the naming of areas.
This past month, I was also pleased to welcome Chancellor Matos Rodriguez to share in our Earth Day Campus bloomification. Thank you to Marcia Comrie, Joery Francios and the Campus Environment and Facilities Committee for their leadership and every one of the green thumbs that helped to make the day even more special. The college now has an active Flicker account where will be able to make pictures from college wide events accessible to members of the campus community. It is currently being updated. More information will be shared in the coming week.
Commencement is around the corner and over Spring Break I was excited to spend some time with our Valedictorian Jeremiah and Salutatorian Redda. Both lovely Cardinals. Studio Arts and Teacher Education you should be proud, we should all be proud.
As you know our 56th Commencement Exercises will be held on May 29th at St. John’s University. I understand that there is concern about this location because of St. John’s decision earlier this year to abolish faculty unions. Let me first clarify that we selected the location in the Fall 2025 after a thorough review of venue options. While the UBS venue was beautiful, we could not continue to justify spending on that level. Unfortunately, our campus cannot adequately host our commencement exercises. So, this year we made the best decision possible. By next year, I am sure there will be additional options of venues we can explore. I am grateful to VP Williams and Dean Salnave for their leadership and the committee for their service and for the faculty and staff that show up and show graduates love during commencement season and on commencement day and I trust this year we will continue to do so. This is not just a celebration of our graduates; it is a celebration of professors and staff that poured into our graduates and have changed their lives immeasurably. We will kick off planning for the 2027 Commencement Committee in the fall and are always in need of committee members who wish to engage in this labor of love, if you are interested in serving, please email VP Williams.
This past month we added a few more feathers to the York cap:
- Our Occupational Therapy program landed in the top 100 programs in the U.S.,
- Two new employees of the Month Isabelle from the Department of Social Work and Codeen from Student Financial Services
- Professor Esposito-Kubanick was named this year’s recipient of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Award for Innovation
- Professor Alapo was elected as the NY African Studies Association and
Dr. Naz was selected to serve on the Board of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Foundation
Unfortunately, I couldn’t not attend our second annual YEMMY Awards, but I heard the entertainment could rival any Emmy Awards show and that the food was as good as a 5-star restaurant. But what was most outstanding was the faculty and staff who came out to celebrate or be celebrated! Congratulations to the Winners of our 2nd Annual YEMMY Awards!
Excellence in Teaching & Innovation
Lorraine Sanassi
Paula Stewart
Wayne Forrester
Farley Mawyer
Jasmine Bratton-Robinson
Excellence in Service
Mark Adams
Melissa Dinsman
Ernest Gary
Excellence in Assessment
Virginia Thompson
Rafael Nunez
Excellence in Supporting Student Success
Jeanetta Yuan
Stephanie Store
Sheryl McBarnett
Excellence in Mentorship
Peninah Austrie
Barbara Olowski
Oluremi Alapo
Paula Stewart
Haimchandra Kumar
Carlton Barnes
Thank you to Provost Brazill, Theresa Williams, Veronica Mariani, Saleema Moore, B&G, our Custodian Crew and all those who made the event extra special.
I wish all our mothers, and those who mother the happiest of Mother’s Days!
President Schrader