On a visit focused on expanding educational opportunities, City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez arrived at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) to highlight a clear message: free education can open the door to new careers and respond to the growing demand for child care professionals.
During his tour of a Child Development class, the chancellor highlighted the role of the CUNY Reconnect program, an initiative supported by Governor Kathy Hochul that allows adults without a college degree to access free studies at community colleges in high-demand areas, such as education.
“CUNY is always ready to meet the needs of the city and state, and to help ensure we have well-trained early childhood educators, as Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani work to make free child care for two-year-olds a reality in New York,” said CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “In addition, we want to remind all adult students who do not yet have a degree that they can get started on this career path with free training at a CUNY two-year college through the governor’s CUNY Reconnect program.”
Matos Rodríguez emphasized that these types of programs not only benefit students, but also respond to urgent needs of the state, such as the lack of early childhood educators. He noted that CUNY seeks to strengthen its academic offerings in this field to prepare more qualified professionals.
The class visited is part of an associate degree program in Early Childhood Education that combines theory and practice, including experiences in a laboratory that simulates a real educational environment. There, students develop essential skills for working with children in daycare and preschool centers.
The chancellor also highlighted that CUNY Reconnect is designed for adults looking to return to their studies and improve their employment opportunities. Since its launch, the program has allowed thousands of New Yorkers to return to the classroom without the burden of tuition.
In addition to education, the initiative includes training in areas such as technology, health, engineering and renewable energy, expanding options for those seeking to re-enter the labor market or change careers.
The university continues to expand these programs as part of a broader effort to strengthen the workforce in essential sectors. In the case of early childhood education, this expansion coincides with state and city initiatives to increase access to child care in New York.
With this approach, CUNY is committed to accessible education as a key tool for economic and social development, while opening new opportunities for adults seeking to advance professionally.
For more information, those interested in studying at a CUNY two-year university through the CUNY Reconnect program can visit www.cuny.edu/reconnect.
