In the News

For the fourth year in a row, City & State NY has named New York State Assembly member and CUNY SPS alum Phara Souffrant Forrest (BS Nursing 20) to their listing of Brooklyn's Power 100. This year, Forrest ranks 12th, up substantially from last year's 45th ranking. The article points out that as a Democratic Socialist, Assemblyperson Souffrant Forrest aligns with Mamdani on priorities such as raising taxes on the wealthy, countering aggressive immigration enforcement, and protecting tenants.

The CUNY School of Professional Studies, which recently earned a #9 ranking for its online bachelor's degree from the U.S. News & World Report, received a congratulatory nod from UPCEA, the online and professional education association. This press release from UPCEA notes that “U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings bring attention to the progress institutions are making to expand access, quality, and relevance in postsecondary education.”

The College Completion Innovation Fund recently awarded a grant to CUNY SPS to help financially support the School's "Coursework to Career Signals" program. The project enables students to earn digital badges tied directly to designated course assignments that they have mastered. These badges provide verified evidence of skills gained through academic work and can be shared on LinkedIn, exported to digital job platforms, and stacked toward larger milestone credentials over time. By recognizing skills as they are learned, the project reinforces persistence and career mobility, helping students see the value of continuing their studies while providing employers with clearer signals of talent in high demand areas.

Sharon Morris, CUNY SPS MS in Data Analytics alum (’18) and Chief Data Analytics Officer at U.S. Army CECOM SEC, has been honored with The Vision Award at CDO Vision New York 2026. The Vision Awards recognizes the most influential Data and AI leaders shaping enterprise transformation in their city. Morris was awarded for her work supporting efforts to use data as an asset to support readiness on the battlefield and to increase internal efficiencies.

The online programs for veterans at CUNY SPS continue to dominate the U.S. News & World Report rankings, as detailed in this We Are the Mighty article. With its ranking of #4 in the nation, CUNY SPS is well-positioned to address the needs of veterans. The report also recounts the many challenges veterans face, noting that they often struggle with civilian life after service. The write-up also provides a comprehensive breakdown of how the U.S. News rankings are calculated, noting that only schools with strong programs throughout the institution can make the listing.