Plaza College Saves Students, Staff, And Faculty Of Local Court Reporting School

NEW YORK, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 200 students of New York Career Institute (NYCI) have joined Plaza College (Plaza) with no loss of academic progress or financial aid. 

Since 1941, NYCI has been one of the only schools in New York City to provide the education and training required for students to become court reporters. However, in 2016, NYCI made the decision to voluntarily cease operations.

In advance of this closure, the New York State Education Department approved an agreement to usher the NYCI programs, students, and staff to Plaza College in Forest Hills, Queens.  Students and staff officially began at Plaza on Wednesday, May 3.

To protect the students' ability to complete their intended degrees, Plaza College was awarded the right to offer NYCI's programs in court reporting, paralegal studies, medical billing and coding, and healthcare management.  Plaza College has accepted all earned credits and is committed to minimizing interruption to the students' originally intended graduation dates.

To protect active students from incurring additional costs, Plaza has frozen tuition and fees at current NYCI rates. Additionally, withdrawn students from previous years can return to complete their programs at the same cost until 2022. 

Dennis Byrns, former President of New York Career Institute, was instrumental in bringing the two schools together to help the students.  "Normally, when students transfer to a new college, they lose up to half of their credits.  By protecting the progress that these NYCI students have earned and keeping their costs from increasing, we were able to turn an upsetting situation into a positive reality." 

Mr. Byrns has joined Plaza College. "This is also about protecting access to a profession – court reporting is a great field with many opportunities for motivated students.  It would be a shame if NYC residents could not access this career." Plaza College now has the only court reporting program in New York City.

Located one block from the Queens County Supreme Court, Plaza accelerated the completion of a brand-new 20,000 square foot student facility on the 3^rd floor of its campus.  The floor contains new classrooms and modern student learning facilities, including five technologically-advanced computer labs to excel in the students' "Realtime" writing abilities – a necessary skill for today's court reporters.

"At first we were all shocked and upset that our school was closing," a former NYCI student explained. "But now we realize it's a good thing.  Now I can just drive and park my car in the garage. Plaza's campus is awesome."

In June 2017, NYCI graduates and their families will be invited to participate in Plaza College's 100^th commencement ceremony.  For the first time, graduates of New York Career Institute will walk across the stage and their families will be able to celebrate their successes and achievements. 

Dean Byrns added, "I like to say, it's a very happy ending with an amazing new beginning."

About Plaza College
Plaza College was founded in 1916 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  Plaza College offers associate and bachelor degrees in allied health, business, and legal studies.

SOURCE Plaza College

Related Links

http://www.plazacollege.edu