Dear City College Students,
Welcome to Fall 2026 at The City College of New York. Whether you are beginning your first semester, returning to continue your studies, or nearing graduation, I am honored to welcome you to a community built on access, academic excellence, opportunity, and the conviction that education can transform lives.
We begin this academic year at a consequential moment for our nation and for higher education. Students and families are navigating economic pressure and shifting public policies, while colleges are being asked to demonstrate the value of a degree, sustain rigorous inquiry and meaningful dialogue, and prepare graduates for a world of work being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence. These realities do not diminish City College’s mission; they make it more urgent. Higher education must help you earn a credential and develop the judgment, adaptability, integrity, and human connection needed to lead in a complex society.
As your Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, my responsibility is to help ensure that you are supported as a whole person - academically, personally, socially, and professionally. You should not have to choose between pursuing your education and being seen, heard, or connected to help.
Support for the Realities You Carry
Many CCNY students balance coursework with jobs, rent and food costs, family responsibilities, caregiving, transportation, and uncertainty about the future. If a financial emergency threatens your ability to remain enrolled, explore the Emergency Grants Program. Please reach out early when a challenge emerges. Asking for support is not a sign that you are falling behind; it is a practical strategy for protecting the progress you have worked hard to achieve.
Well-Being and Care
Your mental and emotional health are essential to your success. The CCNY Counseling Center offers confidential support and opportunities to connect with others who may be navigating similar experiences. This fall, I encourage you to explore:
Fall 2026 Counseling Groups - spaces for connection, reflection, and ongoing support.
Fall 2026 Counseling Workshops - practical tools for managing stress, strengthening resilience, and caring for your well-being.
Belonging and Community
At a time when national debates can leave students feeling unseen or uncertain, our message is clear: you belong at City College. Every student deserves to learn in an environment that respects dignity and supports the full range of identities and experiences represented on our campus. The LGBTQ+ Student Center offers connection, affirmation, education, and community for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Visit the LGBTQ+ Student Center's Fall 2026 event calendar to find opportunities to participate and connect. You can also build community and find support through the Immigrant Student Center, International Student and Scholar Services, Intramural Sports and Recreation, Gender Resources, Student Clubs and Organizations, Veteran Services, Interfaith initiatives and the Meditation Space, and UMAAN (Urban Mentoring and Achievement Network). Wherever you begin, there is a place to connect, be supported, and contribute.
Connect, Lead, and Prepare for What Comes Next
Some of the most important learning in college happens beyond the classroom. Through Student Life and Leadership Development, you can join a student organization, develop leadership and communication skills, build relationships across difference, and turn your interests into service and action. These experiences are not separate from career preparation; they help you practice the collaboration, creativity, ethical judgment, and adaptability that employers and communities need. Technology can accelerate our work, but it cannot replace your voice, your values, or your ability to build trust with others.
Engage with Purpose and Responsibility
City College is a place for difficult questions, honest debate, peaceful expression, and the exchange of ideas. Those freedoms carry shared responsibilities: to protect one another’s ability to learn, to disagree without dehumanizing, and to act with care for our community. Our campus remains guided by the CUNY Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order and the CCNY Student Demonstration Policy, which affirm both the rights and responsibilities of every member of our campus community.
New Team Members and Leadership Updates
- Jeffrey Coyle - Director of Student Support Resources (new team member)
- Tsering Dolma - Student Nurse (new team member)
- Dr. Lydia Travis - Senior Director of Student Life (position update)
- Ana King-Garcia - Director of Conduct and Community Standards (position update)
As the semester begins, I encourage you to take one step toward connection: attend an event, introduce yourself to a faculty or staff member, join a club, ask for help, or offer support to someone else. Your education matters. Your voice matters. Your well-being matters. You belong here, and Student Affairs is here to help you move forward.
Thank you for choosing City College. I look forward to seeing what you learn, contribute, and accomplish this fall.
Warm regards,
Ramón De Los Santos, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
The City College of New York/CUNY
160 Convent Avenue
New York, NY 10031
Tel. (212) 650-5426
www.ccny.cuny.edu
Last Updated: 09/03/2026 11:44