Alumna Delivers White House Briefing, Makes History

May 27, 2021

Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (and New York Tech alumna) briefed reporters at the White House yesterday, “only the second Black woman to do so and the first openly gay one,” according to an article in Voice of America (VOA). "It's a real honor to be standing here today," said Jean-Pierre from the White House podium, adding that she appreciates "the historic nature" of the occasion. 

According to VOA, Jean-Pierre was born in Martinique to Haitian immigrant parents and moved to New York with her family at a young age. In addition to earning a B.S. ’97 (Life Sciences) at New York Tech, she received her Master of Public Administration at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.  

 

The Island Now Features New Associate Provost

May 24, 2021

The Island Now has published an article highlighting Michaela Rome’s new position as associate provost at New York Tech.  Reporting to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius J. Gonzales, Rome is a key member of the Office of the Academic Affairs leadership team, working with the provost, deans, and other leaders on academic program review and new program proposals, such as developing micro-credentials and digital learning opportunities to meet current and future workforce demands.

She also will liaise with the state Department of Education to gain approval for new degree programs, ensure submission of high-quality deliverables to meet accreditation standards and drive implementation and outcomes assessment in relation to New York Tech’s three-year strategic plan, among other responsibilities.

 

Newsday Quotes Enrollment Management Experts

May 24, 2021

An article in Newsday about the fall enrollment picture notes that Long Island’s higher ed institutions’ incoming classes will be more diverse, and colleges and universities expressed optimism about enrollment, although final figures are not yet available.

"To tell you the truth we’re actually very pleased: Our applications, admissions and deposits are up this year. Our deposits are up to a ridiculous level," said Joseph Posillico, New York Tech’s vice president for enrollment management. "Last year was a very challenging year for schools, like no other year we’ve ever experienced."  Deposits, which indicate the intention of an admitted student to enroll, are "up 100% over this time last year, but also up 25% over this time two years ago."

Karen Vahey, dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, said the absence of required SAT or ACT scores benefited diverse applicants, as scholarships are now based on grade-point averages rather than test scores. "They are getting rewarded for performing well over four years in high school rather than just on a single test and that is a huge access and equity issue," Vahey said.

 

Local Outlets Highlight Community Service

May 21, 2021

New York Tech students are helping local residents get vaccinated through a volunteer effort known as The New York Tech Medical Outreach Program: COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Group. Student volunteers were recently recognized in local media outlets such as Syosset Advance and Glen Cove Record Pilot.

Volunteers assist New York residents, as well as some New York City workers who live out-of-state, with registering for vaccine appointments. Students are responsible for interviewing patients and are trained to answer questions regarding the advantages and side effects of all available COVID-19 vaccines. They also assist people in choosing the best vaccine for their circumstances based on existing health issues, work and school time constraints, and other common challenges.

 

Cai NIH Grant Featured in the Media

May 18, 2021

As seen in News-Medical, Trialsitenews.com, InnovateLI, and other news outlets, a study by Weikang Cai, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), will examine how chronic stress impacts brain chemistry and contributes to clinical depression. The research project is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, estimated at $1.6 million over five years, and could help to identify breakthrough treatments for clinical depression, which affects more than 260 million people worldwide.

 

Jarkon Discusses Re-entry Anxiety on News 12

May 15, 2021

News 12 Long Island interviewed Psychiatrist Liat Jarkon, D.O., director of NYITCOM’s Center for Behavioral Health, regarding anxiety in a post-COVID-19 society, including re-acclimation to life without masks. On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance regarding masks and facial coverings. Under the new recommendations, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance themselves in any setting. Jarkon advises that the CDC’s recommendations do not mean that people need to respond right away.

“If you are comfortable still wearing a mask, wear a mask,” says Jarkon. “Start slowly. Don't go from zero to 100. We didn't get this way in a year in a half, it took us all awhile to acclimate.”

Similar coverage also appeared in a News 12 Westchester segment.

 

ABC 7 Eyewitness News Interviews Harper

May 13, 2021

Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Brian Harper, M.D., M.P.H. was interviewed by ABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News in a segment on fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards. The interview took place following the arrest of a Long Island CVS employee who planned to peddle falsely completed cards to family and friends. Harper, who is also a former Suffolk County health commissioner, notes the larger public health implications of vaccination card forgeries, explaining how they hurt the community's ability to safely reopen and return to normalcy.

 

NY Daily News Publishes Harper Op-ed About Combatting Vaccine Hesitancy

May 12, 2021

An op-ed advocating to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by learning from what worked in the AIDS crisis has published in the NY Daily News. “How do we reassure communities of color that the vaccines are safe and effective -- and encourage people to get the shots that could save their lives?” Brian Harper, M.D., M.P.H., vice president for equity and inclusion and chief medical officer, poses this question in the piece, co-authored with Michelle McMurray-Heath, M.D., M.P.H., president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

Public health workers faced similar obstacles when dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 980s and 90s. Then, like now, doctors and healthcare professionals didn't possess enough influence in minority communities to counteract widespread rumors, the authors write. How did they break through? “By collaborating with people and institutions who already possessed high levels of trust within communities of color,” among many other actions. This strategy succeeded in beating back the HIV/AIDS epidemic and it is what's required to get accurate information on COVID-19 vaccines to people of color today, the op-ed urges.

 

Student Research Highlighted by Local Media

May 11, 2021

As seen in local media outlets such as Huntington Now and Hamlet Hub, New York Tech students presented research at the annual Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). Held virtually on April 23, SOURCE 2021 highlighted both student-faculty collaborations and interdisciplinary education. More than 135 undergraduate and graduate students showcased their research and creative scholarly work.

 

InnovateLI Spotlights New York Tech - Farmingdale State Automatic Admission Agreement

May 11, 2021

An InnovateLI article highlights a new agreement between New York Tech and Farmingdale State College that allows qualified Farmingdale State students automatic admission into select New York Tech graduate programs. The agreement guarantees "admission for qualified Farmingdale State graduates” to NYIT’s College of Engineering and Computing Sciences, in five 30-credit master’s degree programs: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“We are excited to offer another pathway to our cutting-edge graduate programs in sought-after areas,” Dean Babak Beheshti, Ph.D., said. “We look forward to welcoming the highly qualified students of Farmingdale State to the New York Tech community.”