For the second year in a row, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) hosted the Dean’s Annual Reception for members of the CUNY SPS Foundation Board, high-level donors, and select student and alumni leaders.
The event was held in the conference hall at the Trinity Commons in Lower Manhattan on April 22 and provided a platform for Dean Lisa R. Braverman to detail the growth and development of CUNY SPS over the past year while also sharing bold visions for the School’s future.
To begin the evening, CUNY SPS Foundation Board member Beatriz (Bea) de la Torre welcomed guests and spoke about the Foundation’s mission of providing opportunities for students through scholarship funding. De la Torre then introduced the evening’s special guest speaker, CUNY SPS alum Diana Haynes (BA Human Relations ‘23).
Haynes, who was also the student speaker for the 2024 CUNY SPS Commencement, delivered a heartfelt and moving speech, recalling the struggles and triumphs of earning her degree as a working mom. "Looking back, I see how CUNY SPS created a space where it was okay to show up as my full self — no pretense, no apology," said Haynes. "Because I was not alone. As an immigrant adult with a complicated life and a million responsibilities, I found a community where I was accepted, supported, and free to discover a new future."
Haynes also described her full-circle experience with her alma mater. After graduating, she continued on to pursue her master’s with CUNY SPS, “And in a twist that no one saw coming — starting Summer 2026, I will join CUNY SPS as an adjunct lecturer, teaching in the very program I graduated from.”
After Haynes, Dean Braverman addressed the group and gave an exciting progress report on new programs and enrollment. “After enrolling the largest class in the school’s history with nearly 5,000 students, at last May’s Commencement, we graduated over 1,500 students, another CUNY SPS record.” She also touted the many new programs the School is introducing.
Dean Braverman also acknowledged the Foundation Board and the donors, offering sincere thanks for their ongoing generosity. “The dollars you provide enable critical support in the form of more than 15 different scholarships, helping students navigate these unexpected challenges and remain enrolled,” said Dr. Braverman.
Dean Braverman’s remarks closed with her bright and optimistic vision for the School, “At our core, CUNY SPS is an institution of opportunity.”
After the event, Bea de la Torre praised the evening’s featured speakers. “Both Diana and the Dean were so inspirational. They remind us [at the Foundation Board] why we do what we do, and I cannot wait to see where we go from here.”
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With over 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
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Prerna Dar
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Prerna.dar@cuny.edu