Bronx Community College (BCC) welcomed leaders, staff, and partners from across the City University of New York on April 21 for the CUNY CARES Spring Convening, a working session centered on the impact of the CARES Demonstration Project and the path forward for CUNY CARES 2.0.

The convening opened with remarks from Chief Transformation Officer Rachel Stephenson, who reflected on the collaborative nature of the initiative and the cross-campus effort that brought it to life. She emphasized that the strength of CUNY CARES lies not only in its model, but in the people behind it – campus teams, navigators, faculty, and partners working directly with students.

A student storytelling video highlighted how CUNY CARES has helped students navigate challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to healthcare – enabling them to remain enrolled and succeed academically.

In welcoming attendees, President Dr. Larry Johnson underscored the connection between students’ basic needs and their ability to thrive in college, pointing to the broader social determinants that shape student success. He praised frontline staff across campuses for their hands-on support and reaffirmed Bronx Community College’s commitment to advancing holistic, student-centered solutions.

Chancellor Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez emphasized that the initiative has been both a successful pilot and a critical learning opportunity for the University. He noted that while there is much to be proud of, the work also requires honest reflection and refinement, stressing the importance of building more efficient, accessible systems that connect students to existing resources while identifying gaps as CUNY considers how to scale the model systemwide.

Lehman College President Dr. Fernando Delgado underscored the borough-wide collaboration, reminding the group of the complex set of challenges students bring and noting that every day is not going to be perfect. “We are not always at our best, but we are here in these spaces and in the positions that we have to help students with all those unseen things that get in the way of them being successful,” he said. “And the work is never finished, but the work is always valuable.”

Hostos Community College President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis reflected on the significance of the gathering, highlighting both the pride and shared commitment among Bronx institutions. “We have a tremendous partnership – the three presidents of the Bronx,” she said, referring to the collective student support on all three campuses.

Throughout the session, participants engaged in candid discussions about what has worked, what can be strengthened, and how CUNY CARES can evolve to better serve students across the system. The convening marked an important step in shaping the next phase of the initiative, reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding coordinated, compassionate support for students across CUNY.