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Student Success & Enrollment Management » Programs » SEEK » History

History

Opening Doors for 50 Years: The Inspiring History of CUNY’s Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program

In the 1960s, higher education was still a dream for many talented New Yorkers from disadvantaged backgrounds. Seeking to right this injustice, visionary leaders like Percy Ellis Sutton helped establish the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) program at CUNY in 1965.

Their goal was simple yet powerful – to provide opportunity. By offering academic support, financial aid, and counseling, SEEK opened the doors to college for thousands of students eager to learn but lacking the preparation and means.

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To bring this history to life, we have two powerful videos for you to watch. As you watch these videos, reflect on what the SEEK program’s legacy means to you.
What will you make of the chance SEEK has given you, and how will you pay it forward to lift up others in the future?