HIGHER ED TODAY
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������������
I was profoundly moved by the messages
of unity and compassion delivered by President
Joe Biden during his inaugural address
on Jan. 20.
Weeks after a violent insurrection in the
U.S. Capitol provided an inflection point in
the tumultuous and divisive chapter that has
marked our recent history, Biden spoke of the
need to heal.
The president urged Americans to embrace
the difficult process of engaging one another,
putting our differences aside and trying
to find even a small patch of common ground.
In that way, he said, we will begin repairing
the fissures and divisions that have roiled this
nation.
The City University of New York, the most
racially and ethnically diverse University in
the country and arguably the world, has long
been a home to such helpful dialogue and a
beacon to the honest exchange of ideas, a place
where students, faculty and staff are encouraged
to work together, find common ground and
forge a more civil and symbiotic community.
I’m proud that CUNY continues to develop
programs that foster a climate of openness and
mutual respect among people of different backgrounds,
perspectives and experiences. The
pursuit of tolerance and respect has always
been a key tenet of CUNY’s mission, and it has
fueled my own work as a professor, college president
and chancellor.
In 2016, when I was serving as president
of Queens College, I helped lead a Universitywide
committee that was formed to bolster the
University’s promotion of civility and its resolution
of on-campus disagreements. The group
was formed amid a troubling uptick in conflicts
that involved matters of race, religion, gender
and politics on college campuses across the
country.
Through the group’s assessment of those
incidents and issues, I was attracted to the
Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding
(CERRU), a program that has become
an effective driver of inclusivity and equity at
Queens College, where it is based, and on three
other CUNY campuses.
Today, thanks to financial support from
New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson,
CERRU is on track to double the number of
CUNY campuses it can reach. Through its Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Incubator,
CERRU is helping our campus communities
to promote anti-racist practices and cross-cultural
communication.
CERRU Director Sophia McGee said that
she, too, felt empowered by President Biden’s
stirring inauguration message to the country
earlier this month.
“It hit me on a visceral level, the importance
of what we’re doing,” she said. “If we can
engage enough people through our DEI training
and through CUNY’s continued commitment
to equity and diversity, we can create a
shift in the culture where eventually we can
become less divisive and start to work to effect
positive social change.”
The avenues are many in which CUNY can
generate awareness and fluency on a range of
equity-driven, social justice issues.
CUNY’s LGBTQI Student Leadership Program,
brings together motivated students for a
yearlong training experience in leadership and
personal development, civic and community
engagement, and social networking opportunities
with LGBTQI industry and community
leaders.
Our University-wide Black Male Initiative
supports the inclusion and educational success
of African, Black American, Caribbean and
Latino/Hispanic males, who are underrepresented
in higher education.
In 2013, CUNY began a Biennial CUNY
Faculty Diversity & Inclusion Conference that
aimed to help faculty constructively address
sensitive issues surrounding race and ethnicity,
sexuality and gender, age, disability, language
and religion, as well as those of cultural
competency, pedagogy for ESL students and
unconscious bias regarding economic status.
These valuable initiatives at CUNY are all
aimed at creating a more tolerant and inclusive
climate, an objective that is helpful on multiple
fronts. CUNY’s commitment to diversity and
access extends to all aspects of the University,
from its student enrollment efforts to its approach
to faculty hiring, and to the scores of
services that CUNY provides to advance and
sustain its community.
In addition to enabling all students to more
effectively pursue their academic goals, these
endeavors can impact our society in a broader
but no less valuable sense, evidence that higher
education can serve as a powerful engine of
change.
In his inauguration speech, President
Biden ticked off a litany of challenges the country
now faces, and it was a daunting list. Only
by showing respect and listening to one another,
he said, do we stand a chance of writing a
new chapter in the story of America.
That’s a prescription for healing and a recipe
for success. It’s one that CUNY strongly endorses
and has long practiced.
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�������� ������������ �������������� ������������������������ ���������������� ����������������
������������������ ������ �������� ���������� ������ ������������ �������������������� ��������
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.26 COM | JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2021
Belong. Believe. Become.
CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Visit us and discover how your
daughter will succeed!
A state-of-the-Art STEM
To arrange an in-person tour or a
video conference with our
Admissions Director please visit
Cathedralhs.org/visitourschool
Apply now on our website!
������������������������������������������
Starting on the Path to a Career in Medicine, Law or STEM
Cathedral has been synonymous
with academic success since its’
founding in 1905. Cathedral educates
generations of young women to
reach their scholastic potential. Our
new Honors Academy builds upon
our honors classes and Advanced
Placement courses. We offer a rich
academic and extracurricular
program.
In the Cathedral’s
Medical Gateways Academy
through partnerships
with New York’s
world-class medical
community, students
have opportunities to observe
medical professionals
at work and to participate
in internships while still in
high school. The Academy includes
a partnership with The Memorial
Sloan Kettering Science Enrichment
Program and Internship.
The Law and Business Academy
features internship opportunities
and career awareness.
The Science and Technology
Academy is equipped with state-ofthe
art technology such as 3-D printers.
Paired with courses in Biology,
Physics, Chemistry, STEM and Technology.
The Art Program provides a wide
array of exposure to different art mediums
and styles.
Our full complement of extracurricular
activities keeps the careerminded
student body well rounded.
From clubs such as the Drama,
Young Film Makers and Digital
Photography to sports
which include Basketball,
Cheerleading, Fencing,
Soccer, Softball, Lacrosse,
Track, Volleyball
and more.
Cathedral prepares its
students for the world that
lies ahead of them. The Class
of 2020 received over $20 million
in college scholarships and grants
and were accepted into schools such
as University of Notre Dame, University
of Southern California, New
York University, and Boston College.
Cathedral is currently accepting
applications for September 2021. For
more information please contact Johanna
Velez at (212) 688-1545 ext. 224
or jcastex@cathdralhs.org. Visit our
website at www.cathedralhs.org.
Academy
A Medical Gateways Academy
including a partnership with The
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Science Enrichment Program
A Business and Law Academy
featuring internship
opportunities and career
awareness
An Honors Academy
A vibrant student life with more
than 30 activities and clubs
Strong Arts program
Competitive Sport program and
rich extracurricular activities
Located in Midtown Manhattan
with easy access to public
transportation
The graduating Class of 2020 earned
over $20 million in college scholarships
and grants.
Academic Scholarships and financial
aid packages available.
350 East 56th Street, NYC www.cathedralhs.org 212.688.1545
/visitourschool
link
/www.cathedralhs.org
/www.cathedralhs.org
/www.cathedralhs.org
/www.cathedralhs.org
link
