FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS
York College is the only CUNY senior college in Queens offering baccalaureate degrees in nursing, aviation management, pharmaceutical science, information systems, and physician assistant studies, as well as a BS/ MS in occupational therapy. The school offers more than 40 majors, with programs in health, business, and psychology being the most popular. York also benefits from partnerships that enhance the classroom experiences. For example, the Northeast Regional Office of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has its investigation center offices and state-of-the-art laboratory on campus. The FDA/York College partnership offers students and faculty the unique opportunity to engage in joint collaborative activities, such as sponsored research, fellowship, and internship programs. Another unique partnership is reflected in York’s Aviation Institute. Working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and several major airlines, the Aviation Institute helps students of the School of Business and Information Systems step into roles in an industry historically out of reach for diverse students.
Corporations also take part in programs that provide insight into concepts like networking that students of color often overlook as part of preparation for a career. And graduates who now work in a wide range of disciplines and industries find ways to help students “fine tune” their personal presentations in order to succeed. One alumnus, for example, mentors students in the art of the lunch meeting and other scenarios that they may encounter in a work environment. “Many of the skills students learn at York can’t be learned in books,” said Keizs. “Our students are extremely well-prepared. Once they get into their careers, our students must compete against graduates from America’s top colleges; we have seen them do just as well.”
HELPING TO BUILD A LEGACY
York College is on a clear path of growth, and generating support for its operations, financial aid, and talent acquisition initiatives is always among its priorities. In November, the school announced the addition of three new members to the York College Board of Directors: Michele Chow-Tai, Hank Sheinkopf, and Edson Edwards.
January/February 2014
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