June/July 2004

JDT
325 John Knox Rd #L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone: 800-950-1150
Fax: 850/222-0053
Email:jdt@nadl.org

If You Can Make It There:

A Profile of New York City College of Technology

By Nicholas Manos, CDT, MS

New York City College of Technology has been a pioneer in technology-based education since its founding in 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. The institute was established in response to the emerging needs of business, industry and the professions for highly trained technicians and other specialists in a post-war economy fueled by new inventions, industrial processes and technologies. In 1953, oversight was transferred from the state to the city of New York and the institute was renamed New York City Community College, becoming a part of the City University of New York 11 years later. The 90-year-old Voorhees Technical Institute was incorporated into the college in 1971. The school was designated the university’s senior-level college of technology in 1980 and renamed New York City Technical College (City Tech).

In June 2002, the college was renamed New York City College of Technology to recognize the unique role it plays in preparing the high-tech workforce that is key to the prosperity of New York City and, indeed, the nation. It is the sole college of technology of the City University of New York and the largest senior college of technology in the Northeast.

City Tech is a national model for urban technological education and an innovative force in the application of technology to the teaching/learning process.

A fully accredited member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New York City College of Technology offers nine specialized certificate programs and is authorized by the New York State Board of Regents to offer its graduates 28 associate in arts, associate in science and association in applied science degrees. Also, it offers the bachelor of technology in architectural technology, communication design, computer systems, computer engineering technology, facilities management, graphic arts production management, hospitality management (an option in travel and tourism is available), entertainment technology and telecommunications technology. The Bachelor of Science in human services and legal assistant studies, as well as the Bachelor of Science in education in occupational teacher education and technology teacher education are offered. City Tech’s courses of instruction are registered by the New York State Education Department and professional accreditation boards in corresponding fields accredit many of its academic programs. All current accreditation reports are available for review in the college library.

A degree from City Tech is a major step toward success in the technology-dependent workplace of the 21^st Century. That degree can lead to career opportunities and advancement in many of the world’s fastest growing industries, provide the new skills required to remain current in a time when today’s state-of-the-art is all too quickly tomorrow’s obsolescence, help launch a timely and meaningful career change or serve as a solid foundation for further education leading to graduate work and an advanced degree.

The Dental Laboratory Technology Department was one of the original six departments at City Tech. We graduated our first class in 1949. Since that time, the department has grown to more than 150 students, 12 faculty and staff members and more than 2,000 alumni. The program at City Tech was the first Dental Laboratory Technology Department of higher education in the country. The Commission on Dental Accreditation first accredited us in 1954. The department was the first accredited program to receive Certified Dental Laboratory status. In addition, the Greater New York CDT Study Group meets at the college four times a year. There are more than 100 members in this group, which began in 1935. Our roots are deep in the profession and the students, faculty and alumni are proud of our achievements and service to the field of dentistry. We, the faculty, are most proud that we develop the future leaders of our profession.

About the Author:

Manos is the dental laboratory technology program administrator at the New York City College of Technology. He is certified in complete dentures and crown and bridge. Contact him at nmanos@citytech.cuny.edu.