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Top Pres Biden greets Pres Eanes BottomJudge Cassandra Mcglashing

Dear York College Family and Friends,


I am humbled that this month I was the guest of Congressman Gregory Meeks, a stalwart champion of York College, at President Biden’s State of the Union Address. It was an unbelievable evening on Capitol Hill and the evidence of the power of education was all around us. It was just an amazing experience.


Two weeks after I was in the nation’s capi­tal, our students were in our State Capital, meeting with elected officials and making the case that higher education should be the province of all and not the few. I am so proud of how our students advocated for increases in disability funding and tuition assistance. See photos of our students in Albany!


On our local Queens front, York College Student Government Association (SGA) President Nish-Hoa Mullings and former SGA President Aarionna McGlashing, who currently serves as an SGA Senator, had an incredible opportunity: They witnessed Judge Cassandra Johnson being sworn in to Queens Civil Court. The students were especially honored, as Judge Johnson conducted a “swearing in” ceremony last year for York SGA Senate members! As SGA Senator McGlashing said, “Judge Johnson is an inspiration to those with immigrant backgrounds, such as myself. Watching her being sworn in shows that we belong in the spaces we would like to be in and that we have the potential to get there.”


It is only one month into the semester and our students continue to demonstrate the power of York College!


Just remember, this is the only the beginning! #WeAreOneYork!


See you on campus,

Berenecea J Eanes signature

Berenecea Johnson Eanes

President

York Students in Action!

York students meet with Leroy Comrie

York students with New York State Senator Leroy Comrie and York College President Berenecea Johnson Eanes.

York students meet with Viviwn Cook

York students with New York State Assembly Member Vivian Cook.

Caucus advocates for disability rights

York students advocating for higher education funding for students with disabilities.

Congressman Meeks Secures $2.1 Million for York!


A huge THANK YOU to Congressman Gregory Meeks who secured $2.1 Million in federal funding for York College’s Geology and Pharmaceutical Programs! In his check presentation to the College, the Congressman said, “York College is the brain trust of the Fifth Congressional District and I’m so proud of how the College’s students and graduates lead in making sure tomorrow is better than today.” We deeply appreciate Congressman Meeks’ efforts. His support provides students with even more unparalleled opportunities to achieve their highest potential. We are grateful to have him as a leader and advocate.


$1,267,500 of the funding for the geology and environmental science programs will be used for student stipends and critical equipment, including computational tools to analyze geophysical data. Funding will also help launch a Faculty/Student mentoring program for new geology majors, the majority of whom come from Southeast Queens and are often first generation Americans. $850,000 will support the pharmaceutical science workforce training program and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Pharmaceutical Analytical Laboratory, which will enable students to be trained on emerging trends in drug identification, analysis, and discovery. 

Congressman Meeks presents check

Lunar New Year at York College


We ushered in the spring semester with an amazing Lunar New Year celebration that took center stage in the College’s Atrium! I am grateful to our community members who grace us with special performances and rituals that make it possible for our College family to share in this important annual holiday tradition.

Lunar New Year celebration

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries: A Special Guest at Countdown to Commencement


Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was York College’s special guest at our Countdown to Commencement celebration. He told the students, “What inspires me every day is ensuring that you have the opportunity to meaningfully pursue your dream regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status. Remember, you have the talent, the intellect, and perseverance to be what you want to be!”


It was an incredible event kicked off by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams, a York 2011 alumna, who shared her story of “planting her feet at York College” and the difference her professors made in her life. Also joining the celebration was longtime York champion, Congressman Gregory Meeks, who invited Leader Jeffries to the celebration. Congressman Meeks reminded students, “You can accomplish what you want and don’t let anyone ever tell you anything different so go and soar like an eagle!”

Jeffries Meeks Mcglashing Eanes with students
Gurpal Singh

Alum Gurpal Singh: Giving Back to York


A member of the Class of 2003, Gurpal Singh, who double majored in English and Political Science with a minor in Statistics, had a presence that was unmistakable. Politically engaged and creatively inclined, he served York well while a student and now, as an attorney, hopes to engage with York pre-law students in his role as proud alum.


Born in Punjab, India, Gurpal and his family migrated to the United States when he was six years old. The family settled in Queens for a time, but eventually moved to Nooksack, Washington, where he completed high school. But he missed New York and returned to live with an uncle and enrolled at York College where he thrived. “There was a sense of community at York,” he explained. “It was like living in a small village in India. The faculty and staff were accessible and caring. I was exposed to countless opportunities to grow academically and personally.”


Asked how York prepared him to pursue his degree at CUNY Law and eventually own his own law firm, he sang the praises of his outstanding professors and talked about York being the right fit. “The size of York as an institution was just right for someone like me. My parents were not educated. I was the first person in my family to get a high school education.” He recalled, “I needed more personal guidance than the average student. However, I’m also innately competitive and need to be challenged in order to hit higher gears in my personal performance and York was big and diverse enough to provide those challenges.”


Now he wants to reciprocate his York support. “I would love to take on some York students as interns,” said Singh. “My office is not far from York and I have plenty of space.”


That sits very well with Dr. Robin Harper, York’s Pre-Law advisor. “I think it’s wonderful that our alumni come and reconnect and help the next generation,” said Dr. Harper. “In Political Science and Pre-Law, we are developing connections between alumni and current students aspiring to careers in law. This bond from generation to generation makes a huge difference in helping our current students know what is possible and how to get there.” Read More Here

Peterson Eanes Singh

Students Win USAID “People’s Choice Award”


Congratulations to York College Students Senior Mark Ogbuehi and Junior Isabelle Peterson, both political science majors, for winning the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “People’s Choice Award” for their amazing presentation on how to help women tackling the problem of ocean plastic in the Philippines. We are so proud of them!

One York Gala logo

We Are Pleased To Announce This Year’s Honorees


The One York! Community Impact Award honoree

Rudolph L. Wynter, Jr., President, National Grid New York


The One York! Community Impact Award honoree

Resorts World New York City


The One York! Trailblazer Award honoree

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks


The One York! Trailblazer Award honoree

Dr. Hazel Dukes President, NAACP New York State Conference

& Member of NACCP National Board of Directors


Join us at the One York! Gala

Thursday, April 27, 2023


READ MORE MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS >

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Give to The Fund for York


As York College continues to work hard to meet the academic and social needs of its students, your donation will help to provide scholarships, enhance academic programs, recruit and retain faculty, and contribute to many other incentives. By making a gift to York, you express your support to the College, and its continuing pursuit of excellence.

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I love sharing news about York and I love hearing from you.

Reach out to me at president@york.cuny.edu.


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Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes was appointed president of York College, CUNY, in 2020 following an academic year as the interim president. To learn more about her visit our website or review her complete CV online.

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