President Jerry Hultin Honored at Youth Summit

At a Youth Summit, held at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University’s (NYU-Poly) Brooklyn campus earlier this month and led by State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, the Institute’s president, Jerry Hultin, was awarded a commendation for his continued work inspiring teens to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

“As you start to think about choosing a university, think less and less of the classroom and more and more of the fact that you’re going to do things, make things and invent things, get a patent and change the world,” Hultin told students from nearby schools and organizations like Bedford Academy and the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA during his opening remarks. “Don’t shoot low—shoot high. We’ll help you do it!”

Senator Montgomery delivered the commendation. “[President Hultin] has done many, many things, but the one thing that I honor him for today is his commitment to the young people in this room,” she said from the stage. “He has always had his eye on us and ways that NYU-Poly, in particular, could reach out and take some of the young people from our own communities. We thank you for that.” 

Following the award, students asked questions related to current issues faced by teens attempting to pursue a college education of a panel comprised of members representing many academic and state educational bodies. 

The panel included Chairman of the State University of New York Board of Trustees H. Carl McCall; Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN; Cheryl D. Hamilton, Assistant Provost and Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at Stony Brook University; Alonzo L. McCollum, Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY College at Old Westbury; Monica George-Fields, Senior Fellow for School of Innovation at Regents Research Fund; Regent Kathleen M. Cashin, New York State Education Department Board of Regents; and Regent Lester W. Young, Jr., New York State Education Department Board of Regents.