Keizs Has Big Plans For York

Dr. Marcia Keizs, new president of the City University at York College in Jamaica, announced last week a four-point plan to change the direction and future of the college and its surrounding neighborhood.
In a meeting with the members of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s Downtown Committee, Keizs discussed what she calls the four “key goals” that will help the college grow in several areas, including enrollment, academic achievement, community involvement, and providing quality services that students need.
Dr. Keizs has created a $4 million plan to improve relations between the college and the community and expand the college’s academic reputation using key programs already instituted at the college, including the Federal Food and Drug Administration partnership and the Aviation Institute.
As part of Keizs’ plan to “build synergy” with the FDA, the agency will be offering six FDA funded internships rather than the usual one this summer.
The university will also work on developing their aviation institute — the only one of its kind in Queens and the city — by creating a strong partnership with the aviation industry.
“If we are fortunate enough to get the workforce grant we are working on, we will be able to prepare our students for aviation,” said Keizs, who expects these programs to help to build the current enrollment of 5,743 students up to the 7,000 students it serviced in years past.
Keizs also discussed the cooperative relationship she would like to build between the institute and the community for the sake of advancement and prosperty. “One of the things the community wants to see is that they want to be proud of York,” said Keizs. “That means the community needs to feel pride in our academic programs and the outcome of our students.
“York and the business community have to build a strong connection to foster the economic revitalization of Jamaica,” said Sam Samuels, spokesman for GJDC. “Everyone was impressed by Dr. Keizs’ short term plans and long term goals to improve York College and the community.”
Keizs reported that she presented her plan to CUNY and received a very good reception. She said “Our objective is to get CUNY to invest in York College.”
melissa@queenscourier.com