PHOTO CAPTION – left to right: Sporting their alma mater shirts and other apparel, NYC Department of Education (DOE) Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives LeslieAnn Dunn, Council Member Daniel Dromm, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña and NYC DOE Executive Superintendent LaShawn Robinson announce College Awareness Day inside the DOE headquarters at Tweed Courthouse.
New York, NY – NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm was joined by Chancellor Carmen Fariña, NYC Department of Education Employees and middle school students from across the city in proclaiming January 11, 2017 College Awareness Day.
Now in its second year, College Awareness Day promotes a college-going culture across NYC schools and encourages students to obtain their bachelor’s degree. Students from Pre-K through 12th grade participated in events and activities throughout the day. These events aimed at raising awareness and enthusiasm around college will continue throughout January 2017.
“As educators and public officials, it is our duty to prepare NYC students for higher education,” said NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst). “For many adults, a college degree is critical to obtaining higher-paying jobs and financial security. By engaging and sharing our college experiences with children earlier, we encourage them to plan ahead and invest in their own futures. I am pleased to work alongside Chancellor Fariña in promoting this important campaign.”
“As the first person in my family to attend college, I know the importance of early conversations and planning around college and careers, and that’s exactly what College Awareness Day is doing,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “Every New York City student must have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and we are making unprecedented investments in college and career access to make that a reality – especially for students who would not have had these opportunities in the past.”
These efforts are part of College Access for All, one of Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña’s Equity and Excellence for All initiatives. Through College Access for All, every middle school student will have the opportunity to visit a college campus by 2018, every high school student will have the resources and support at their school to graduate with an individual college and career plan by 2019, and every high school junior will be able to take the SAT free of charge during the school day starting this year.
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