CUNY college courses will be offered in Far Rockaway
in spring, providing new pathway to economic success
to realize your full potential
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2021 29
college course offerings to
our communities on Far
Rockaway,” Assemblyman
Khaleel Anderson
said. “We know that access
to higher education
promotes a healthier community
and is directly
tied to economic opportunity,
social mobility and
quality of life.”
With no local college
in the community, the
educational partnership
removes one of the major
barriers that residents interested
in upscaling their
skills or education have
faced: a long commute.
“You don’t have to go
to college; college comes
to you,” Challenge Charter
School CEO Rev. Dr.
Les Mullings said. “This
is a momentous occasion
for our citizens and for
the future of Far Rockaway.
Anyone interested
in building a better life
should take a look at what
this amazing program
has to offer.”
BY BILL PARRY
The Far Rockaway
community is one of the
most impacted during the
COVID-19 pandemic and
its residents continue to
struggle toward economic
recovery due to a chronically
high unemployment
rate.
Starting this spring,
adult residents will have
a new avenue to improve
their quality of life thanks
to a new educational partnership
that will offer college
courses right in the
neighborhood.
The Far Rockaway
Community Educational
Leadership Team and the
CUNY School of Labor
and Urban Studies (SLU)
will begin offering courses
taught by SLU faculty at
Challenge Charter High
School located at 1520 Central
Ave.
“As a higher educational
institution founded
on the principles of expanding
higher educational
opportunities and
on preparing students
who aspire to careers
dedicated to public service
and social justice, we are
thrilled to be partnering
with the Challenge Preparatory
Charter to do just
that — provide access to
college courses, academic
support services and opportunities
for career
advancement to the Far
Rockaway community,”
CUNY School of Labor
and Urban Studies Dean
Gregory Mantsios said.
In addition to hearing
from elected officials
and community leaders,
staff will offer tours of the
learning hub, and SLU
faculty members and administrators
will meet
with prospective students
to answer questions and
provide registration information.
“A thriving community
is one that recognizes
the importance of education
and the opportunities
it creates not just for its
children, but for residents
of all ages,” Queens Borough
President Donovan
Richards said. “Queens
is thrilled to welcome
the CUNY School of Labor
and Urban Studies to
Far Rockaway, creating
yet another pathway towards
prosperity for our
adult students looking to
gain a new set of skills.
We encourage all our Far
Rockaway families to participate
in Friday’s informational
event.”
The partnership between
key Far Rockaway
educational leaders and
the SLU creates a viable
path for residents to obtain
academic and professional
skills to develop a
new career plan no matter
what level of education
they have currently.
“As a strong proponent
of quality education
and as a resident of the
Rockaways, I wholeheartedly
support bringing college
courses and a GED
completion program to
the peninsula to allow
people to conveniently
complete high school or a
four-year degree right in
their own community,”
state Senator James Sanders
said. “I hope everyone
who can take advantage of
this opportunity does so.
A bright future is built on
quality education.”
Over the last few decades,
Far Rockaway has
been hammered by economic
challenges and exacerbated
by Superstorm
Sandy nearly a decade ago
as well as the COVID-19
pandemic that further
disrupted the community
growth and new development.
As a result, many in
the community are without
work, leaving many
families dealing with the
financial strain.
Increasing educational
opportunities and offering
workforce training is
the goal of the partnership
with the SLU.
“As a proud Far Rockaway
resident, CUNY graduate
and advocate in the
state Legislature, I am excited
for ‘SLU by the Sea,’
a game-changing partnership
between Challenge
Charter and the CUNY
School of Labor and Urban
Studies to provide
KIDS & EDUCATION
Kody Christiansen ‘20
AA Liberal Arts
EMPOWERING YOU
Kody Christiansen has overcome more obstacles than most. At one time homeless and drug dependent,
he vowed to change his life and earn his degree. While older than traditional college students, Kody found
a home at the NYU SPS Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS). As a student in the AA in Liberal
Arts, he enhanced his writing skills, developed his critical thinking abilities, and explored a wide range of social
issues. Not only did he thrive in our classrooms, he became the president of the Undergraduate Student Council
and immersed himself in a wide range of NYU SPS organizations and activities. Today, this award-winning author,
professional actor, and aspiring artist is attending Harvard University, where he is continuing his exploration of
the liberal arts. The education he received at DAUS gave him the confidence and the credentials to rise above
adversity and pursue his dreams.
BEGIN OR COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE!
Flexible Schedules for Working Adults • Scholarships & Financial Aid • Seamless Credit Transfer • Tutoring &
Academic Advising • Small, Participatory Class Size • Career Coaching & Development • Credit for Prior Learning
Articulation Agreements With Local Community Colleges • A Supportive Environment for Adults Returning to School
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
Designed for adult and transfer students who’ve earned less than 45 transferable college credits. Degrees in:
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AN AFFORDABLE NYU DEGREE: DAUS Associate Degrees are comparable in price to those offered by local
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LEARN ABOUT ADULT DEGREE
COMPLETION OPTIONS
Attend a Virtual Info. Session
Speak with admissions reps about the application
process and financial aid & scholarships.
Tuesday, November 16th, 7:00 p.m.
REGISTER sps.nyu.edu/daus/events04
Tuesday, December 7th, 7:00 p.m.
REGISTER sps.nyu.edu/daus/events05
APPLY NOW FOR SPRING 2022
Early Deadline - November 1, 2021
Final Deadline - January 1, 2022
VISIT: sps.nyu.edu/daus/adults04
CALL: 212-998-7100
EMAIL: nyusps.appliedUG@nyu.edu
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