The City University of New York (CUNY) is the largest urban public university system in the United States, serving over 275,000 students across 26 campuses, including senior colleges, community colleges, and professional institutions. Established in 1961 by New York State legislation, CUNY unified several existing municipal colleges under a single system governed by the Board of Trustees and led by a Chancellor[2][3][5]. Its oldest constituent, City College of New York, founded in 1847 as the Free Academy, holds the distinction of being the first free public institution of higher learning in the U.S.[2][4][6]. CUNY’s mission has historically centered on providing accessible, affordable education, particularly serving New York City's diverse population, including many who could not afford private universities. The system’s open-admissions policy since 1970 ensures that any city resident with a high school diploma can enroll in a CUNY institution, supporting broad educational inclusion[5]. The university system encompasses a wide range of academic offerings, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It houses notable colleges such as Hunter College, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Baruch College, and John Jay College, along with community colleges and a graduate school. CUNY has produced distinguished alumni, including thirteen Nobel Prize winners and twenty-four MacArthur Fellows, underscoring its academic impact[2]. CUNY’s rich history reflects its integral role in New York City’s educational and economic fabric. Its campuses, such as the landmark Neo-Gothic City College campus in Harlem, symbolize its longstanding commitment to public education and community development. The university’s evolution—from the 19th-century Free Academy to a comprehensive modern university system—mirrors New York City’s growth and diversity[1][4][7]. In business and technology contexts, CUNY is a critical talent pipeline and research hub, fostering innovation and workforce development in one of the world’s most dynamic urba