Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Queens) announced a $5 million request in state funding for Queens College to expand its facilities, resources and services in environmental and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related studies and research. The funding request was addressed to Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and signed by all 18 Assemblymembers of the Queens delegation.

“Ensuring Queens College has the technology it needs to equip students with knowledge and opportunity is an investment that benefits faculty, students, and the entire community. State funds would support my mission of preparing students to be leaders while also ensuring that Queens is a leader in the growing high-tech industry,” said Rozic.

The request for capital funds is a response to the increase in the number of STEM majors attending the college, which is fast approaching 50% of the student population. If awarded the funding, Queens College would dedicate the funds to Environmental Teaching Labs, a Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, and Core Chemistry Lab upgrades. The funds would transform outdated labs, build new facilities, and grant students and faculty additional resources for both teaching and research.

“We are grateful to Assemblymember Nily Rozic and the members of the Queens delegation of the NYS Assembly who are writing on behalf of Queens College to Speaker Heastie for an appropriation of $5 million in capital funds. We also thank the Speaker for his consideration of this request. These funds would support efforts to provide five modern Environmental Teaching Labs, a Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience Lab and Core Chemistry Lab, all meeting today’s standards for our STEM students, many of whom are women and minorities,” said Queens College President Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Rozic added, “Queens College has long been dedicated to providing exceptional education. I am proud to advocate on behalf of an institution that encourages students to pursue careers that give back to society.”