17³Ô¹ÏÍø

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Magazine

Winter 2026: 10 Things to Inspire

By
Alyssa Cressotti
Posted
January 20, 2026
Student from the College of Health Professions at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø working with a training dummy

At 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, progress isn’t abstract; it’s happening every day, in classrooms, courtrooms, clinics, studios, labs, and communities around the world. From preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders and advancing global environmental policy, to taking center stage on Broadway, shaping the future of AI, and showing up for one another in record-breaking ways, the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø Community continues to turn ambition into impact.

$3M Grant to Prepare the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

17³Ô¹ÏÍø was awarded more than $3 million from the New York State Department of Health to launch the College of Health Professions Pathways to Practice Initiative, a major effort to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline. The funding supported expanded access for students, enhanced pre-health advising, and new training opportunities designed to prepare advanced healthcare students to meet critical workforce needs in the Lower and Mid-Hudson Valley. Through this initiative, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø students gained clearer pathways into high-demand clinical fields and stronger preparation for careers that directly serve their communities.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Ranks #5 in the Nation for Broadway Representation

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Top 5 for most performers on Broadway Playbill

17³Ô¹ÏÍø clearly knows how to make it to the main stage. This past Broadway season, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø talent appeared in productions including Wicked, & Juliet, Suffs, The Outsiders, Hamilton, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, and The Outsiders, among others. with the most representation on Broadway—17³Ô¹ÏÍø ranked number five, ahead of both Yale and Juilliard.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Moves Up in Wall Street Journal Rankings

17³Ô¹ÏÍø advanced 15 places in The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, earning recognition for student success, affordability, and diversity. With a perfect diversity score of 100, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø stands out as a leader in access and opportunity.

1,453 Reasons to Be Proud: 17³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s Biggest Giving Tuesday Yet

In just 24 hours, the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø community came together to exceed every expectation. More than 1,453 donors—alumni, parents, students, and friends from across the country—surpassed our ambitious goal of 1,000 donors, contributing an incredible $270,691 in direct support of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø students. This extraordinary show of generosity is already fueling academic innovation, expanding student services, and opening new pathways to success across our campuses.

Professor Collica-Cox Recognized for Transformative ‘Puppies on the Block’ Partnership

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Professor Kim Collica Cox receiving an award.

17³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s Puppies on the Block program and Professor Kimberly Collica-Cox were recently honored by Paws Crossed Animal Rescue, alongside the Westchester County Department of Correction. The recognition celebrated the program’s powerful partnership—giving rescue dogs a second chance while creating meaningful, rehabilitative experiences for students and incarcerated individuals. Congratulations to Professor Collica-Cox for her leadership in strengthening communities, paws and people alike.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Haub Law Students Influenced Global Environmental Policy

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø announced that ten policy motions led by Haub Law students were officially adopted at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress. A dedicated team of four faculty members, five students, and six alumni traveled to Abu Dhabi, where they negotiated revisions, crafted urgent new motions, presented at sessions, addressed the IUCN President, and advanced 17³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s longstanding commitment to environmental advocacy on the world stage.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Launches Westchester’s First Undergraduate AI Degree

17³Ô¹ÏÍø expanded its tech-focused academic offerings with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, becoming the first school in Westchester County to offer a dedicated undergraduate AI degree. Offered through the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, the program prepared students with essential skills in machine learning, large language models, natural language processing, data analysis, and AI ethics. Students gained hands-on experience through research, industry partnerships, and experiential learning connected to New York’s growing tech ecosystem.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Students Lead New Effort to Protect New York’s Wildlife

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 A juvenile red-tailed hawk photographed by Angelo Spillo of the Environmental Studies and Science Department at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. The bird was rehabilitated by Green Chimneys and released on 17³Ô¹ÏÍø property at the Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø students took on a central role in a new partnership between the Animal Policy Project and the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, formed in response to rising threats to wildlife across the region. Through this alliance, students helped collect data, support community education efforts, and contribute to policy work that protects vulnerable species. Their hands-on experience was highlighted by the rehabilitation and release of a juvenile red-tailed hawk at 17³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center, giving students a direct role in safeguarding the future of New York’s wildlife.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø Students Earn Global Recognition in UN Millennium Fellowship

Thirty-four 17³Ô¹ÏÍø students were selected for the prestigious United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network Millennium Fellowship, placing them among the top 4% of applicants worldwide. This marked 17³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s largest cohort yet and the fifth consecutive year students earned a place in the highly competitive leadership program.

Google Leader Joined 17³Ô¹ÏÍø for Inaugural Actionable AI Conference

17³Ô¹ÏÍø hosted its inaugural Actionable AI Conference, where students, faculty, and industry leaders gathered to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education and the future of work. Charles Elliot, head of industry at Google Cloud, spoke to a full room, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, user-focused design, and continuous learning when working with AI tools.

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