Founded in 1937, Queens College was hailed by local residents as the “college of the future.” This public institution is part of the City University of New York (CUNY), a system of public colleges offering education in the arts and sciences. Guided by a dedicated faculty engaged in both teaching and research, graduates of Queens College leave not only with professional skills but also with critical thinking abilities, problem-solving expertise, cultural knowledge, and technological proficiency. Read on for more about this remarkable institution on queens1.one.
From Beginnings to the 21st Century
Before Queens College opened in 1937, the campus site was home to Jamaica Academy. In 1909, the location became New York Parental School, a home for troubled boys, which later absorbed the academy. In 1934, investigations revealed allegations of abuse at the school, leading to its closure and the transfer of students to local public schools.
In September 1935, the city decided to establish a college on the site, and two years later, the institution opened its doors. The campus grew alongside the student population. In 1970, CUNY adopted an open-admissions policy, granting any New York high school graduate a place at CUNY regardless of grades or test scores. This policy primarily aimed to make higher education accessible to students of color. However, unlike other colleges, this policy had a limited impact on Queens College, as the enrollment of students of color remained relatively low.
In 1976, New York’s financial crisis led CUNY to end free tuition, and Queens College faced budget cuts. By 1984, enrollment had dropped to 15,000. Over time, the college recovered, with a growing number of out-of-state students joining each year.
Queens College students played an active role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, with the most prominent activist being Andrew Goodman, who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi in 1964 alongside two other young men.
In the 1990s, prominent researchers, including French virologist Luc Montagnier, joined the faculty. By 2014, enrollment reached 20,000, with half of the student body comprising individuals from minority backgrounds.
Alma Mater of Innovative Leaders
The mission of Queens College is to prepare students for innovative leadership in a diverse world, fostering a just and inclusive society.
The college seeks to identify each student’s potential and support their growth. In addition to providing academic knowledge, the college offers the necessary support for successful completion of courses and career exploration after graduation. With a forward-thinking yet practical approach to humanities and professional education, Queens College engages students in both learning and activities that broaden their minds and equip them with essential life skills.
Campus
Queens College’s campus sits atop a 100-foot hill, offering stunning views and hosting six original Spanish-style buildings dating back to the early 20th century, alongside over 40 additional buildings.
The campus includes a 506-bed residence hall, a Child Development Center for student-parents, and the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, which houses over 6,000 pieces of art. Outside the museum stands the installation More Balls For Klapper Hall by American artist Vito Acconci.
Klapper Hall, one of the most recognizable buildings, houses the fine arts and English departments and features the largest ceramics studio in the CUNY system. Other notable facilities include a metalwork studio, woodshop, black-and-white photography lab, student gallery, and various art studios for undergraduates.
With tree-lined paths and open green spaces, the campus boasts state-of-the-art computer and science labs and the six-story Benjamin Rosenthal Library. The main academic building, Powdermaker Hall, is equipped with advanced technology.
Queens College is divided into seven schools: Music; Education; Library and Information Studies; Arts and Humanities; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences.
Degrees and Programs
Queens College’s academic programs are divided into four divisions: Arts and Humanities; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; and Education. Both day and evening courses are offered. Notably, the college prepares more teachers than any other college in New York.
Queens College offers bachelor’s degrees in 78 majors and master’s degrees in over 100 fields. Additionally, there are more than 40 accelerated master’s programs and doctoral degrees in 20 disciplines.
The CUNY Graduate Center and various programs provide certification opportunities. Special programs include the Freshman Honors Program and the TIME 2000 Program for future mathematics teachers. The college’s Professional and Continuing Studies program offers non-credit courses in fields such as healthcare, real estate, and risk management.
An International Space
Students from over 150 countries attend Queens College, which consistently ranks among the nation’s top institutions. As one of the most affordable colleges in the country, it offers high-quality education to students of all backgrounds and financial means. The college also provides study-abroad opportunities and is the only New York college participating in the National Student Exchange program.
Queens College is more than just attending classes—it’s about networking and gaining life skills that extend beyond academics. The college’s goal is to provide a transformative educational experience, helping students grow personally and professionally. The college offers more than 100 different clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, cultural, religious, technology, and arts clubs. Most are housed in the student union building. Queens College student organizations donate thousands of dollars to charities, with members actively participating in volunteer work.
Athletic Teams
The Queens Knights are the college’s athletic teams, competing in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), a non-profit organization consisting of educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada.
Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross-country, soccer, tennis, and track and field. Women’s sports include basketball, cross-country, dance, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.