DCAS to Launch First-Ever High School Equivalency & College Credit Program for Municipal Employees

December 17, 2024

Starting next year, in partnership with Metropolitan College of New York, through the Education Propelling Into Careers @ MCNY program, DCAS employees will be able to obtain a High School Equivalency diploma and 27 college credits through an innovative new pilot program.

The program builds on DCAS' ongoing efforts to support staff through professional development opportunities.

NEW YORK - Today, Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Louis A. Molina and Metropolitan College of New York President Dr. Charles Gibbs announced the launch of a groundbreaking new pilot program for DCAS staff, offering current DCAS employees the chance to earn their high school equivalency along with 27 college credits over the course of three semesters. The EPIC @ MCNY program marks a first-of-its-kind partnership with MCNY, utilizing the college's existing Pathways to Careers program which is designed to support career growth and educational advancement for agency staff, with the potential to expand to more agencies citywide.

"This administration is proud to invest in the very people who keep New York City running," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. "The EPIC program is more than an educational opportunity-it's a model for how we can champion the professional development of our own workforce by removing barriers to growth and creating clear pathways for advancement. By strengthening our employees' skills, we are building a more resilient, capable workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

"Education opens doors, and with this new initiative, we are achieving a major milestone for our agency, for our staff's individual growth, and in the end, for stronger communities and a more resilient workforce," said Commissioner Molina. "Through this new EPIC program, we are turning something that is often taken for granted and instead using it to empower, making a strategic investment in our employees by equipping them with the knowledge and skills that drive retention and advancement. I'm proud that DCAS is leading this initiative to make educational attainment more accessible for all of our staff."

"Metropolitan College of New York is proud to partner with DCAS on this transformative initiative to empower municipal employees through our established Pathways To Careers (PTC) HSE program," said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, President of MCNY. "This program goes beyond providing high school equivalency; it offers a meaningful pathway to college credits and career advancement, addressing both personal and professional growth. We're excited to welcome DCAS staff to our PTC program and to support their journey toward academic and career achievement. Together, we are fostering a stronger, more skilled workforce for New York City."

"The City of New York as an employer has provided economic mobility and opportunity for generations of New Yorkers," said Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development. "NYC Talent applauds DCAS's focus on building robust career paths for its employees and launching the EPIC @ MCNY program."

The EPIC program was initiated to address the educational needs of city employees and improve their long-term career prospects. Recent data revealed that approximately 50 DCAS employees currently lack a high school diploma or equivalent, a figure that highlights the importance of accessible, supportive educational pathways within the City's workforce. Following a preparatory period and an entry test in December 2024, classes will commence in January 2025, with the cohort expected to complete their studies by January 2026. Staff participating in the EPIC @ MCNY program will spend one full workday a week at class under live instruction on campus at MCNY, which will count as a regular workday fully supported by DCAS.

Program Highlights:

• In-person Instruction: Classes will be held in-person at MCNY's 60 West Street campus in lower Manhattan. Over three semesters, participants will engage in courses designed for working professionals, covering topics such as public speaking, ethics, American government, and critical thinking.
• High School Equivalency Diploma: Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be eligible to receive their high school equivalency diploma.
• College Credits: Upon completion of the program, graduates will be equipped with 27 transferrable college credits, which may be utilized towards an associate or bachelor's degree at MCNY.

In addition to academic instruction, MCNY will provide a full range of support services, including tutoring and social work support, to ensure participants have the resources needed to succeed. DCAS will maintain regular check-ins with participants, offering encouragement and celebrating milestones along the way.

The launch of the EPIC program is the latest in DCAS' extensive efforts to help the City's workforce grow and learn. In September 2024, DCAS launched NYCityLearn, a dynamic new platform to administer comprehensive training programs and learning opportunities, ensuring the continuous growth and development of the City's workforce. Easily accessible online, the system has streamlined the process for employees to register for classes, access their training transcripts, and explore a robust catalog of open enrollment trainings and eLearning modules - available anytime, anywhere. This launch reflected the City of New York's ongoing commitment to delivering a more dynamic, customized, and transparent learning environment for all City employees. NYCityLearn, and now the HSE Program, are key components of Mayor Adams' vision for a workforce that is continually growing, equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to serve New Yorkers effectively.

From the new EPIC program, to the dozens of fellowship and internship programs offered by the City of New York, to the latest bridge exam for public safety, all of these efforts build on the Adams Administration's efforts to expand municipal work to more New Yorkers than ever before. In April, Mayor Adams launched "Run This Town," a $1 million multi-media advertising campaign to engage diverse New Yorkers and help them apply for thousands of available city government jobs. The "Run This Town" campaign was preceded by the launch of "Jobs NYC," a multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment. In September 2024, the administration announced that as part of Jobs NYC, 8,500 New Yorkers had been connected to jobs and free training resources at 26 hiring halls over six months in neighborhoods with the highest unemployment rate.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
• Managing 55 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

About Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) and MCNY Pathways To Careers (PTC)
For 60 years, Metropolitan College of New York has maintained a tradition of offering highly motivated learners an education that combines applied skills with professional knowledge, fostering personal transformation and positive change in workplaces and communities. MCNY is a private, nonprofit college accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Recognized as both a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), MCNY is dedicated to serving a significant percentage of students of color, particularly from underserved communities.

Founded in 1964 by Audrey Cohen, an educational visionary and activist, MCNY's mission has remained steadfast, emphasizing Purpose-Centered Education to empower students to achieve their educational and professional goals.

In 2022, MCNY announced the approval of its Pathways to Careers (PTC) Certificate program by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Building on the success of the 2021 pilot initiative, Pathways to Success - partially funded by the New York City Council - the PTC program offers students aged 19 and over the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, 27 transferable college credits and access financial aid along with wraparound support services to help ensure their success. Designed as a one-year program, it empowers participants to advance their academic and professional goals, seamlessly transitioning into MCNY's associate and bachelor's degree programs or other higher education opportunities. Learn more at www.mcny.edu/pathwaystocareers.

MCNY Locations:
Manhattan Campus: 60 West Street, New York, NY 10006
Bronx Campus: 463 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10455

For more information, visit mcny.edu or call 212-343-1234.

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Contact:
Dan Kastanis
Director of Media Relations, DCAS
[email protected]

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