In honor of AAPI Month, we’re celebrating our vibrant CUNY AAPI community members who have outstanding accomplishments in scholarship, political advocacy, the arts and much more! Read about just a handful of AAPI icons and their impactful legacies.

This CUNY’s Master of Science in Financial Engineering program has just been ranked as the best of its kind in the world!

After nearly 17 years of deferring, this mom is about to attain her dream of becoming a college graduate.

To anyone asking whether the costs and challenges of college are still worth the payoff, our Chancellor has an easy answer: “Unequivocally yes!”

Through music and mentorship, CUNY students are changing lives one note at a time.

This grad’s ready to fill a void she experienced firsthand. #Classof2023

This Class of 2023 grad and former foster care student attended college for free, and got lots of support along the way. She found her dream career through an innovative NYC initiative – the country’s first large-scale program of its kind. — CBS News

One college’s school of architecture preserves the massive book collection of this notable architect, critic and urban theorist. — The Architect’s Newspaper

Four community colleges received $100K each to support diverse students obtaining skills in high-growth industries. – Harlem World Magazine

Meet Adetutu Adebiyi, a member of John Jay’s class of 2023 who just earned a graduate degree in criminal justice. Adebiyi worked hard to navigate the foster care system at age 16 and later used her experience to help others. She hopes to become an immigration and criminal defense lawyer. “During my time [in foster care], I was around young people that dropped out of school and it almost made me feel like education was not for me. [Then] I started talking to a few of the youths and figured out why they were so quick to give up," she said.

She continued: “I was able to reach out to the commissioner of ACS, directors and others who were not aware of the problems that young people were facing. My voice [contributed to developing] programs like the Chafee Funds (financial support during the pandemic), the Big Sister Mentorship program and much more. I wanted to see every youth go to college.”

What's been your favorite memory or experience at CUNY? “Being involved with the Black Student Union. I was able to make good friends, share similar experiences with them and make study buddies. I will miss the whole John Jay community, everyone down to the security guards became family.”

What message would you tell your younger self and/or someone who will be attending CUNY? “The road doesn’t stop here: No matter the challenges you are facing, always know that you are not alone and it is okay to ask for help.”