New York City is expanding a program designed to help CUNY graduates launch careers in city government, doubling the number of fellows it can accept from 200 to 400.
Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced the expansion on Monday, along with plans to offer two fellowship cohorts each year, beginning in January and July.
“The Civil Service Pathways Fellowship allows us to invest in emerging talent, strengthening both our workforce and the services New Yorkers rely on every day,” Kitasei said. “With this expansion, we are creating even more opportunities for talented CUNY graduates to serve their city while building rewarding careers.”
The Civil Service Pathways Fellowship, administered by DCAS in partnership with CUNY, is a two-year progdram that gives recent CUNY grads a direct path into city government careers. Fellows work in high-demand jobs in various agencies and get experience, mentorship and training.
The program’s 10th cohort will add a seventh career track: Customer service and community engagement. The other tracks are policy and program analysis; procurement and finance; information technology and data analysis; creative services and digital media; project management; and architecture and engineering.
“CUNY is proud to partner with DCAS to open doors to rewarding public service careers for our graduates,” CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, said. “By doubling the capacity of the Civil Service Pathways Fellowship, twice as many talented CUNY alumni will now put their education to work for New Yorkers, gaining invaluable experience while building lasting careers in city government. This program’s stellar track record of transitioning fellows into permanent roles shows what is possible when we create clear pathways from college to career.”
More than 400 fellows have participated in the program since it launched in 2019, and more than 75% of fellows who completed the program moved into full-time city positions.
Agencies and elected officials that currently employ the most Civil Service Pathway Fellows include the Department of Transportation with 41 active fellows; DCAS with 34 active fellows; New York City Public Schools with 37 active fellows; the Administration for Children’s Services with 17 active fellows; the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with 19 active fellows; and the Office of the Comptroller with 13 active fellows.
Applications are currently open for the 10th cohort of the Civil Service Pathways Fellowship starting in Jan. 2027. Eligible CUNY graduates who are interested in applying can learn more through the CSPF webpage, applications for the Jan. 2027 cohort close Sept. 4.