CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queens College is a public college located in the Flushing neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. Founded in 1937, it is a senior college within the City University of New York (CUNY) system. The college offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across the liberal arts and sciences, education, business, and the social sciences. Its campus spans more than 80 acres and includes academic buildings, research facilities, and cultural centers. CUNY Queens College serves a diverse student population, including many first-generation college students, and is known for its strong liberal arts foundation and commitment to accessible public higher education.

CUNY Queens College was founded in 1937 in Flushing, New York, following advocacy by local leaders and approval by the New York City Board of Education. The college opened in October 1937 with 400 students and 21 faculty members, and Paul Klapper, formerly of City College, was appointed its first president. Established during the Great Depression, CUNY Queens College was created to provide an affordable public college education to residents of Queens. In the postwar decades, enrollment expanded significantly, and the campus grew with new academic buildings and facilities. After the creation of the City University of New York system in 1961, Queens College became one of its senior colleges. The adoption of open admissions in 1970 further diversified the student body. In the twenty-first century, campus renovations, expanded graduate offerings, and continued integration within CUNY have shaped the modern CUNY Queens College.