Bold colors, comfy couches, wide-open spaces, and the latest technology are the hallmarks of NYIT’s newest campus improvements. From the expansion of food services locations and a new career services home on the Old Westbury campus to a fresh take on enrollment services operations in Manhattan, there is no question that NYIT has embraced a quest to improve its facilities. There are also bright banners now on display at all three NYIT New York locations, a new arboretum, and a host of digital signage to further student communication. “I think it’s obvious that we have spent a lot of time, energy, and money to put the students first,” says Frank Genese, director of facilities.

WHAT’S COOKING?
After years of using an outside vendor, NYIT decided to bring food services in house last year and has continued to expand those operations, increasing the number of locations at the New York campuses to nine, including two fine dining restaurants, one dining hall, four cafés, and two coffee lounges.

“First and foremost, our goal has been to improve the quality of the food and services,” says Robert Rizzuto, director of dining services. “By bringing everything in house, we can adapt the menus to suit our customers, and we have the ability to address any concerns right away.”

The new SAC Dining Hall, located in the Student Activity Center on the Old Westbury campus, has quickly become a hot spot for those looking for a made-to-order meal. Steaks, pasta, and brick-oven pizza are prepared right in front of customers or ordered for delivery on campus.

ONE SINGULAR SOLUTION
When it came to designing the new enrollment services area, NYIT decided to go with a “real funky Manhattan look—nothing institutional,” says Genese. “We wanted to create a forward-looking, modern, and exciting environment for our students.”

Located on the ground floor of the New Technology Building on the Manhattan campus, the new space features a wall of windows facing 61st Street.

The focal point of the enrollment services area—the Student Solutions Center—is a
U-shaped desk where students are guided through the admissions, registration, financial aid, and payment processes.

NYIT created a pilot program in the fall, training staffers to become experts in all enrollment services areas. In this program, which is still being evaluated, students have one person to help them with all their needs, from the first time they show an interest in the college until graduation.

“With this program, more than 80 percent of a student’s issues can be addressed just by walking up to this one desk,” says Jacquelyn Nealon, Ph.D., NYIT’s recently appointed vice president for enrollment services.

By having one person monitoring a student from start to finish, advice can be tailored to suit individual needs, according to Nealon. “The advisors will be able to anticipate road blocks and knock them down before the student ever faces them.” It is the perfect set-up in which to launch a more personalized enrollment program, she adds.

JUMP-START YOUR CAREER
Offering personalized attention was also at the heart of developing the new home for the Old Westbury campus’ Office of Career Services, which is located in Salten Hall. Students and alumni alike are encouraged to stop by for individual career counseling. The new location offers plenty of room for intimate group talks on the art of interviewing, resumé creation, and cover-letter writing. Students are also able to check out the latest job openings on a bank of computers in the Career Resource Library.

A GROWING ATTRACTION
Spring has sprung abundantly on the Old Westbury campus after 30 new trees and a variety of annual and perennial plants were added on either side of the walkway between the academic quad area of the campus and the Office of Admissions. A $150,000 grant from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has helped fund a complete floral census, regrading and landscaping, tree removal, plant and tree labeling, and the overall landscape plan to establish a nationally registered arboretum.”