CUNY SPS welcomed the fall 2026 semester with a record-breaking enrollment of nearly 5,200 students, representing an increase of 8% over 2025. As students returned to their coursework in the new academic year, the Office of Student Life organized several community-building events to greet both returning and new students.

CUNY SPS's 8th Annual Student Leadership Conference united adult learners around the theme "Change Agents: From Classroom to Community," featuring several graduate students who led workshops on using theory to achieve social justice.

CUNY SPS hosted a special series of workshops focused on providing tools for student leaders over a four-day period. The hybrid series featured numerous specialists in leadership who shared their advice on best practices.

During the weeklong conference, students both presented and attended multiple webinars that examined the potential benefits and challenges of AI in today's world.