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In-person
  • Design + Construction
  • National

Higher Education Forum

October 8, 2025 CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016 – Proshansky Auditorium

Speakers

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Mary Lou Aleskie

Howard Gilman ’44 Executive Director, Chair, Advisory Council for Arts Advancement & Integration

Dartmouth

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Jensen  Ambachen

 General Counsel

City University Construction Fund

Marcus Caamano Higher Education Forum

Marcus Caamaño

Director of Design and Construction, Division of Facilities & Campus Operations

Stevens Institute of Technology

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Claudia Cusumano

Principal

KPF

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Craig Dykers 

Founding Partner

Snøhetta

Charles Esteves Higher Education Forum

Charles Esteves

 Director | Preconstruction

Consigli

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Christine Galib

Director of Advancing Photonics Technologies

Princeton

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Lenny Kaplan

Vice President

NJIT

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james kellerhouse

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of Operation

Vanderbilt University

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Maey Khaled

Senior Director, Campus Planning and Technical Services

NYU

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Cecilia Kushner

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

NYCEDC

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Mary Mahany  Higher Education Forum
Mary

 Mary Mahany

Senior Project Executive

Shawmut Design and Construction

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RJ Panda 

Vice President 

 Cumming Group 

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Andrew Repoli

Director: Global Facilities and Construction Management

New York University

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IVY Schultz

Director Of Entrepreneurship

Columbia University

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Joe Solway

Principal

Arup

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EMCEE

Natalie Sachmechi 

Associate, Nonprofit, Education & Government Practice

JLL

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MODERATOR

Megan R. Abraham 

CEO

The Goldie Initiative 

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MODERATOR

Jimmy Kuhn

 President and Head of University Practice Group

 Newmark

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MODERATOR

Stuart Rosen

Partner 

Tannenbaum Helpern

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MODERATOR

Sean Scuderi

 Partner and Vice Chair

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP

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Tasha Stancill

Senior Account Director

Neoscape

What You Need To Know

As the academic and economic landscapes of the New York tristate region continue to evolve, higher education institutions are stepping up to meet the moment—rethinking how campuses function, feel, and shape the student experience. The Commercial Observer Higher Education Design & Construction Forum brings together leaders from colleges, universities, architecture firms, and development teams to explore how the built environment is transforming the future of learning.

This timely forum will spotlight the most pressing trends and forward-thinking projects in higher ed design and construction—from building innovation hubs that align with industry and workforce demands, to expanding campuses through adaptive reuse in one of the country’s densest urban environments. Discussions will highlight how institutions are investing in student wellness, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive placemaking—turning physical spaces into catalysts for connection, opportunity, and impact.

Whether you’re an institutional planner, design professional, builder, or higher ed leader, this forum will offer critical perspectives and partnerships for building campuses that meet the needs of today—and tomorrow.

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Agenda

Beyond the Game: How Athletic Facility Design Shapes Campus Life & Student Success
Catalysts for Change: Designing Innovation Hubs That Bridge Higher Ed & Industry
Urban Evolution: Adaptive Reuse and Campus Expansion in NYC’s Tightest Spaces
Wired for Impact: Building All-Electric, Sustainable Campuses for the Next Generation
More Than a Campus: Designing Spaces that Shape Student Life and Belonging
Building Skills, Building Futures: Designing Workforce Training Centers for NYC’s Evolving Economy

Higher Education Forum

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 @ 8AM – 12PM ET
CUNY Graduate Center New York, NY 10016 Proshansky auditorium

Who Should Attend

  • Owners/ Developers
  • Architects/ Engineers
  • Contractors
  • Facilities Manager
  • Urban Planners

Sponsors

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ARUP

Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise for our clients across more than 150 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places.

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Consigli

Consigli

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CUMMING GROUP

Electra USA Higher Education Forum
ELECTRA USA

ELECTRA

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JLL

JLL

kpf Higher Education Forum
KPF

KPF

Neoscape Wordmark Thicker CMYK Black 1 Higher Education Forum

NEOSCAPE

Newmark Logo NEW Higher Education Forum
Newmark

Newmark

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NYCEDC

NYCEDC

Shawmut Design and Construction Higher Education Forum
shawmut

Shawmut Design and Construction

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Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP

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Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP

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The goldie initiative