Visionary Voices

Visionary Voices is a graduate academic enrichment program, designed to engage selected participants in research, education, and action for the larger CUNY SPS community. Visionary Voices is not only an academic enrichment but also leadership development program that enhances graduate students' scholarly capabilities. Through its structured phases, participants immerse themselves in rigorous research, critical analysis, and the application of academic principles. This program strengthens their ability to conduct high-level research, engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute meaningful insights to the CUNY SPS community. By synthesizing academic research with practical presentation skills, Visionary Voices equips students with the intellectual tools and professional competencies necessary to excel in both academic and professional arenas.

Participants in the Visionary Voices program will be eligible to receive an educational grant upon successful completion of the program, recognizing their dedication to research, leadership, and contribution to the CUNY SPS community.

The program consists of two phases: the research phase and the conference phase. 

Eligibility 

Students must meet all of the criteria below in order to apply:

  • Attend the information session. 
  • Be a graduate student. 
  • Be enrolled at CUNY School of Professional Studies for at least one semester.
  • Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Maintain a record of good conduct.
  • Eligible to enroll in classes for the entire academic year.

Deadline to apply: Friday, October 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST

APPLY HERE

Visionary Voices Theme

Change Agents: From Classroom to Community 

Students are not just learning theory – they are applying their knowledge in real time to drive positive change in their workplaces, communities, and personal lives. Change Agents: From Classroom to Community highlights how experiential learning, adaptability, and innovation enable students to translate classroom insights into tangible outcomes that improve processes, foster social change, and strengthen their career readiness in a rapidly shifting world.  

Examples include, but are not limited to: 

  • Learned about environmental sustainability practices and applies this knowledge at their job in a food lab, restaurant, etc.  

  • Learned about psychological safety and implemented it as a team leader in the workplace. 

  • Learned about AI ethics and applied it to develop a more transparent data-handling policy.

  • Learned about patient-centered care models and applied them in clinics by redesigning patient intake forms. 

  • Learned about corporate finance and applied concepts to write a business proposal for funding. 

Program Outline

This foundational stage of the program involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting relevant information. Participants will:

  • Explore the fundamentals of research.
  • Choose a topic that aligns with the program's theme. 
  • Begin preliminary research on their chosen topic. 
  • Identify and gather relevant research materials.

In this stage, students will design a presentation based on the information gathered during the research phase and present it at the annual Student Leadership Conference. They will participate in various workshops to prepare for the presentation, including but not limited to:

  • Accessible Communication: Learn accessibility guidelines to create presentations that are accessible to all participants.
  • Public Speaking: Acquire the skills needed to present confidently, using elements to ensure audience engagement.
  • Presentation Practice: Participants will review each other’s projects and provide feedback.
  • Feedback Session: Share experiences with the program and offer suggestions for improvement.
  • Meetups: Meet with program coordinator and fellow Visionary Voices participations to share milestones and discuss challenges.