Oversight Hearing on CUNY Study Abroad Opportunities – September 29, 2026

The New York City Council Committee on Higher Education, chaired by Councilmember Rita C. Joseph, held an oversight hearing to examine study abroad programs at the City University of New York (CUNY). The hearing focused on program access, affordability, demographic participation, and strategies for expansion. Witnesses included CUNY administrators and faculty who provided detailed data on participation rates, student outcomes, and barriers.

Witness Testimony

• Kim Holland, University Director of Global Education and Initiatives, presented data from fall 2025 through summer 2026: 1,512 CUNY undergraduates from 15 campuses studied abroad in 49 countries. Of these, 89.1% participated in CUNY-sponsored programs, 24% in semester-long programs, and 75.9% in winter/summer intersessions. 72% were from four-year campuses, 28% from community colleges. She highlighted three program types: exchange, faculty-led, and affiliated programs. Holland noted that 16.9% of study abroad students used ePERMIT for cross-campus registration.
• Stephen First, Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement at the College of Staten Island, emphasized that study abroad is integral to CUNY's academic mission. He cited national data showing study abroad students have a 95.1% six-year graduation rate (30 points higher), are 6.2% more likely to graduate in four years (11.6% for first-generation students), earn 6.3% more ($4,000+) in their first job, and 52% pursue graduate degrees. He described barriers such as time constraints, curricular inflexibility, and finances, and noted that CUNY staff work with over 7,500 students annually (1,500 who go abroad, 1,500 who return, and 3,000 who cannot afford to go).
• Professor Jessica Rothman of Hunter College described her Uganda-based wildlife conservation programs. She reported that 89 CUNY students (57 undergraduates) have participated. Students conduct field research on primates and wildlife, and many have gone on to prestigious fellowships (Fulbright, NSF graduate fellowships) and careers in science. She noted her programs serve underrepresented minorities, reflecting Hunter's 70% student of color population.

Discussion and Questions

Councilmembers explored several topics:

• Recruitment and Awareness: Chair Joseph asked about informing students at admission. Holland noted it varies by campus; First described embedding study abroad in admissions materials at CSI. Joseph stressed the need for earlier messaging and peer ambassadors.
• Career Readiness: Chair Joseph asked how returning students translate study abroad into job skills. First described new advising sheets connecting study abroad to workforce readiness and planned international internships. Rothman added that advisors help students craft resumes and identify skills.
• Demographics and Equity: Holland provided demographics: 34.2% Hispanic, 11.7% Black, 4.5% multiracial, 27.4% White, 22% Asian among study abroad students; 48.7% Pell-eligible, but only 1.2% with public assistance history. Councilmember Epstein requested data on ASAP/SEEK program participants; Holland promised follow-up.
• Funding: Councilmember Brewer pressed for aggressive pursuit of private and federal grants. First noted that $69.4 million in federal funding was rescinded the night before. Rothman said NSF grants are depleting. Brewer urged application to foundations.
• Goals: Councilmember Dinowitz asked about specific enrollment targets. Holland said no system-wide goal exists, but CSI targets 10% of graduates to have international experience. Chair Joseph supported setting targets for underrepresented groups.
• Domestic Study Away: Chair Joseph asked about programs outside New York. Holland mentioned a Queens College program but noted incomplete data.
• Israel Programs: Councilmember Dinowitz asked about CUNY's relationship with Israel. Holland explained that a previous exchange program was sunset before October 7, and efforts to rebuild were paused due to safety. First confirmed CSI has agreements with Israeli universities ready to resume when safe.
• Advertising and Outreach: First described multi-channel marketing (social media, email, fairs). Chair Joseph suggested convening community colleges to share best practices.
• Student Stories: Rothman shared examples of students who went to Uganda and later earned PhDs and prestigious positions. First told of a student who became a Watson Fellow, Fulbright recipient, and Peace Corps acceptee.

Key Outcomes

• The committee filed the oversight report (per minutes).
• Chair Joseph committed to working with CUNY to expand study abroad, particularly for underrepresented and community college students, and to pursue funding through public-private partnerships.
• Councilmember Dinowitz requested follow-up on Israel program numbers and reaffirmed CUNY's commitment to such exchanges.
• Councilmember Brewer directed CUNY to aggressively apply for grants and use platforms like Muse for scholarship promotion.
• The chair indicated she would reach out to CUNY leadership to continue discussions on program expansion, funding, and creating a pipeline for anthropology students to work on local African burial ground projects.