Ali Zaman Shah is a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow currently spending six weeks in professional affiliation with the Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) at the City University of New York (CUNY). Before coming to CUNY, Ali was at Penn State University for a 10-month professional development program in Higher Education Administration. In Pakistan, he is serving as Deputy Registrar at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, in Islamabad.
The Humphrey program brings young and mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of non-degree, graduate-level study, leadership development and professional collaboration with their counterparts in the United States. All such scholars are called Fulbright scholars. For the 2013-14 year, almost 4,500 candidates applied for the Humphrey fellowship in different fields of specialization from all over the globe. Only 180 people were selected from 90 countries; and Ali was the only candidate from Pakistan who was selected in the area of Higher Education Administration. Today, Ali is working on the CUNY student affairs model with a strong desire to execute it back home.
Humphrey Fellow, Ali Zaman Shah with CUNY Central Office of Student Affairs staff
CUNY 2014 Jonas E. Salk Scholarships Awarded
On May 14, CUNY awarded its Jonas E. Salk Scholarships for medical study to eight CUNY students in recognition of their outstanding research on subjects including neuroscience, cancer, genetics and molecular biology. The awards ceremony honored students from Baruch College, City College, Queens College as well as the Macaulay Honors Colleges at Hunter College and The College of Staten Island. See the full CUNYNewswire story at >> Also, read more about the Jonas E. Salk Scholarships at >>
University Student Senate Produces CUNY Students “Happy” Song Video
In close collaboration with the campuses, CUNY’s University Student Senate (USS) produced a fun video with engaged students performing to the Pharrell Williams hit song “Happy.” >>
First New York State Veterans and Military Families Summit Held in Albany
On March 20, 2014 a group of CUNY administrators, staff, student veterans and dependents travelled to Albany to attend the first New York State Veterans & Military Families Summit. >>
“STEM Is the Future…”: City College Students Featured in New York Daily News Story
The New York Daily News article follows City College students who are studying their geneology. >>
East Harlem Building Collapse Update & CUNY Support for Victims
The Hunter College School of Social Work is working with the mayor’s office, Red Cross and community-based organizations to help provide displaced or traumatized families and individuals with housing, meals, health services, daycare and other essentials. A “Hunter Supports East Harlem” fund has been set up https://community.hunter.cuny.edu/huntersupportseastharlem to generate funds to support victims. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Frank D. Sanchez, recommends that this fund be used by all colleges, students, faculty and staff wishing to support those impacted by the tragedy. In addition, students, staff and faculty who wish to volunteer their time and energy can email Mr. Kanako Okuda at kokuda@hunter.cuny.edu at the Hunter College School of Social Work.
The New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women and City University of New York Honor New York’s First Lady
The New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women (NYCOBW) in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) hosted a Women’s Initiative Networking Reception honoring the First Lady of the City of New York, Chirlane McCray. The reception was held at the Shiva Art Gallery, John Jay College of Criminal Justice on March 20, 2014.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, President Jeremy Travis, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Gloriana Waters and CUNY professionals join members of the National Organization of 100 Black Women to honor New York City’s First Lady Chirlane McCray
The Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) 2014 Retreat Held at John Jay College
The Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) held its annual staff retreat on Wednesday, February 26th at John Jay College. All levels of student affairs staff and administrators were engaged in a half-day of sessions designed to foster and broaden working relationships as well as showcase service area programs and successes. >>
Nationally Prominent Higher Education Leader James B. Milliken Appointed Chancellor of The City University of New York
On January 15, the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York voted unanimously to appoint James B. Milliken, President of the University of Nebraska system since 2004 and a nationally prominent leader in public higher education, as the seventh Chancellor of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university. See Full CUNYNewswire story here >>
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Veterans’ Orientation Held to Welcome Spring 2014 Students
A group of thirty incoming spring 2014 freshman and transfer student veterans gathered Wednesday, January 15 for a veterans orientation hosted at CUNY’s central office 42nd street location. >>
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At Home at CUNY: Student Housing and Residence Life
It is an exciting time to be part of student housing and residence life at CUNY. It is a vibrant and growing community across the university and an integral component to student life and engagement. Living on campus offers CUNY students a residential experience that is engaging, welcoming, inclusive and safe. The on-campus living experience allows students access to comfortable college facilities, healthy and strong relationships with their peers, dedicated faculty and staff and on-campus programming and leadership opportunities. CUNY is committed to creating an inclusive residential environment where students can make the most of their college experience and enjoy the benefits of living on-campus.
Currently on-campus or campus-sponsored residence hall buildings are available at Baruch College, Brooklyn College, The City College, College of Staten Island, Hunter College, John Jay College for Criminal Justice, Lehman College, the Graduate Center and Queens College. Additionally, most CUNY colleges offer resources and referral services to help students find affordable off-campus housing and apartments in the general vicinity of the college. To learn more about student housing options at CUNY, visit >>
CUNY Housing and Residence Life Spring Kick-Off Event
Gearing up for another exciting semester, the student housing and residence life staff across CUNY came together at CUNY central to connect, develop relationships and build community. The January 24 event hosted team-building activities, peer-to-peer engagement among residence life staff from 9 campuses and presentations by Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) administrators including Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Frank D. Sanchez.
Inquiries regarding Student housing and Residence Life can be forwarded to David Jones, Associate Director of Student Housing & Residence Life for the Central Office of Student Affairs at CUNY at david.jones@cuny.edu.
The College by the Sea Opens Dolphin Cove, a New Residence Hall
Last October, the College of Staten Island held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new residence hall, Dolphin Cove. See the full story on the CUNYNewswire >>
More on Campus Housing >>
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CUNYAC Awards First FREE Tuition for StudentsFirst Rewards
In November, the first CUNYAC StudentsFirst Rewards Program awards were given to the top attendees of CUNYAC Championship events. The top prize, free tuition, was given to Brooklyn’s Abayomi Elesho who racked up 100 points in the 2013 calendar year. “This feels great,” said Abayomi Elesho. “I am going into my senior year with two semesters left and to have it paid for is great.” Read More >>
Find more information on the StudentsFirst Rewards Program here
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CUNY’s Project Reach Celebrates Renewed Funding
Project REACH (Resources and Education on Autism as CUNY’s Hallmark) started off its 2013-2014 year in a big way, renewing its funding to four CUNY campuses and efforts to enhance support and services to students on the autism spectrum. Funding continues for Borough of Manhattan Community College, Brooklyn College, the College of Staten Island and Kingsborough Community College. REACH also welcomed a new campus project, LaGuardia Community College’s Project ASSIST (Academic and Social Student Integration for Success Team) administered by Regina Varin-Mignano.
More from Project REACH >>
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New COSA Staff Appointments
Lisa Beatha joins the Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) team as the new Director of Veteran’s Affairs effective January 6, 2014. She formerly served as the Director of CUNY Course and Transfer Information within the Central Office of the University Registrar.
Phil Gordon joins the Office of Special Programs (OSP), Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) as the new Evaluation Associate, effective December, 2013. Phil has wide-ranging experience in program evaluation and more recently worked with Single Stop USA (SSUSA) as a Senior Program Officer.
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Malave Leadership Academy Staff Appointed Legislative Fellow, Partners of the Americas Program
Denis Nolasco, coordinator of the Malave Leadership Academy’s Student Investment Advocates program, was selected, along with 22 other US mid-level professionals, to be a Legislative Fellow for the Partners of the Americas (http://www.partners.net/partners/Legislative_Fellows.asp) program. As part of this initiative, Denis was placed at Semillas for Democracy, a Paraguayan non-profit working to increase government transparency and civic participation. During her three-week placement, she assisted in developing a European Union initiative, designed to mobilize civil society around electoral reform to foster greater inclusion of traditionally marginalized groups.
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Partners of America Program
In November, Miguel Angel Barrera Rojas, Professor of Economics at Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Ro, Mexico visited the Malave Leadership Academy.
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CUNY Chancellor Emeritus Matthew Goldstein Shares Key Components for Quality Leadership
Students from the Malave Leadership Academy and other selected student leaders from across CUNY attended a remarkable leadership development event and talk by Chancellor Emeritus Matthew Goldstein in November. The Richard Harris Terrace at the Borough of Manhattan Community had 80 students present and eager to hear the Chancellor Emeritus’ thoughts on what constitutes quality leadership. Read more >>
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The College Discovery Program: 50 Years of Programmatic Excellence
Maria Grieco, Co-Chair, Council of CD Program Directors and Director, Hostos CD
There is a College Discovery Program in each of the six CUNY community colleges: Borough of Manhattan (BMCC), Bronx (BCC), Hostos (HCC), Kingsborough (KCC), LaGuardia (LAGCC), and Queensborough (QCC) Community Colleges. College Discovery Programs provide three primary services: personal counseling, academic support through tutoring, and financial assistance through a book stipend. These services have been a staple of College Discovery since its inception 50 years ago. >>
Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program: Almost 50 Years and Still Going Strong
By Janice Zummo, Co-Chair, Council of SEEK Program Directors and Director, MEC SEEK
As we introduce the first issue of the OSP Newsletter, Dorie Clay (SEEK Director at NYCCT SEEK and Co-Chair of the Council of SEEK Program Directors) and I thought about the many successful initiatives started in the SEEK and CD Programs that are now accepted as best practices on a national level. Summer programs were an integral component of the SEEK Program when it was introduced in 1966. >>
The Office of Special Programs Relaunches SOAR Newsletter >>
CUNY COSA 