CUNY Board Unveils ‘Master Plan’ Projecting Enrollment Bump
The City University of New York Board of Trustees Committee on Education Policy has approved a “Master Plan” for 2026 to 2034, projecting a 13% increase in enrollment by 2030 and outlining strategies to achieve this goal.
Emphasis on Adult Learners and Workforce Development
The plan signals CUNY’s leadership intends to step up efforts to attract adult New Yorkers who already have some college experience. The university plans to emphasize continuing education and workforce development programs, boost its online course offerings, and target more New York City-area students who are not enrolled in public schools.
Demographic and Educational Trends Influencing Projections
The plan notes demographic and educational trends that influenced its undergraduate projections, including a steady decline in New York City public school enrollment, difficulty assessing college readiness following waivers granted for high school graduation Regents exams during the pandemic, and the long-term value students and families place on higher education.
Enrollment Projections
CUNY plans to reach a total enrollment of 264,000 students by 2030, including non-degree enrollments — up from 233,352 in 2023. "While additional analysis is needed to more accurately project enrollment through 2034, we expect to, at minimum, sustain the 2030 achieved target," reads the report.
Expert Reaction
Ayinde Bennett, a postsecondary readiness manager with Urban Assembly, views the enrollment targets as "ambitious but in line with the direction that CUNY has been going." He notes that the university is investing in making itself a more attractive option for New Yorkers, with a focus on affordability and reputation as a driver of social and economic mobility.
Additional Initiatives
The plan includes several initiatives to support the university’s growth, including:
- Expanding CUNY Reconnect, which helps working-age adults who once attended CUNY return to the university, to support individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, students educated outside the United States, and veterans.
- Increasing emphasis on building workforce-aligned programs and pathways, including certificate and workforce skills programs for in-demand careers.
- Redoubling efforts to recruit and serve the nearly 700,000 New Yorkers with college credits and no degree among working-age adults.
- Providing more online course offerings and flexible class schedules to support part-time students.
Conclusion
The CUNY Board of Trustees will vote on the Master Plan on February 18. The plan is a critical step in achieving the university’s goal of increasing enrollment and providing more opportunities for New Yorkers to access higher education.
FAQs
- What is the CUNY Master Plan?
- The Master Plan is a strategic plan for the City University of New York, projecting a 13% increase in enrollment by 2030 and outlining strategies to achieve this goal.
- What are the key initiatives in the Master Plan?
- The plan includes initiatives such as expanding CUNY Reconnect, increasing emphasis on workforce-aligned programs, and redoubling efforts to recruit and serve working-age adults with college credits.
- When will the CUNY Board of Trustees vote on the Master Plan?
- The board will vote on the plan on February 18.
