New York City Park Ranger and CCNY Science Education student Rafael Cruz with a friend
Before he became a New York City Park Ranger, Rafael Cruz knew that he wanted to be an environmental conservation educator, but was unsure how to channel that ambition when he first enrolled at The City College of New York as an undeclared major. Then, he had a chance encounter with Yael Wyner, an associate professor at the School of Education.
The director of SoE’s science education program, Wyner suggested to Cruz that he consider enrolling in the School’s Science Learning and Public Education major, which was established in 2021 to prepare students for a range of STEM education careers.
“I wanted to become a park ranger and an educator,” said Cruz. “Yael said that the degree deals with informal science education, which is any form of education not in a school, so I switched. I love the major itself.”
Wyner saw his potential immediately.
“Rafael was the exact student that we were thinking of when we created this major,” she said. “We wanted to make a major for students who were passionate about science education in the many non-formal education settings that are out there. When I first met Rafael, he told me that he had always wanted to be a park ranger and I thought, perfect, the sustainability and environment track of our major is a perfect fit for him.”
Cruz is now one course away from completing his BA in environmental conservation education. He will spend his final semester, winter 2025, in Costa Rica.
A former STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) educator at CCNY, and a former Museum Education Experience Program intern at the American Museum of Natural History, Cruz interned as a nature adventure guide for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for the past three summers. He became a full time ranger in August.
“As an urban park ranger in New York City, I am dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural resources within our urban parks,” he said. “My role involves preserving wildlife habitats, educating the public on environmental stewardship, and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors. With a strong foundation in ecology and a passion for community engagement, I work to maintain the ecological balance of the city’s green spaces while promoting sustainability and conservation.”
To complete his degree requirements while maintaining his full time job, Cruz takes advantage of the department’s option to allow rangers to work a compressed schedule of 10 hours a day, four days a week. That enables him to attend classes on Thursdays and Fridays, and to study on Saturdays.
“I made my schedule in a way that I can continue to go to school,” he said.
“Rafael has used his time at City College wisely,” said Wyner. “He painstakingly developed the teaching and scientific expertise required to excel in his chosen career, first by supplementing our pedagogy courses with classes on plant and insects to know more about local NYC biodiversity and then by avidly pursuing multiple internships at NYC Parks and the American Museum of Natural History to gain the hands-on experiences.”
After graduation from CCNY, Cruz plans to commence a master's degree in biology, education and conservation related fields through Project Dragonfly, a program at Miami University in Ohio in partnership with the Bronx Zoo. As part of his two-and-a-half-year course of study, Cruz will conduct classes online and at the Bronx Zoo, while also conducting international field studies as a component of the degree.
Once he completes his master’s degree, Cruz may continue to work for Parks & Recreation, building curricula for park rangers, or he may choose to conduct international conservation education for the Bronx Zoo.
Cruz was one of eight professionals from a variety of scientific and educational organizations who shared their insights and experiences on a Science Education alumni panel on Nov. 11. The event was attended by 85 students who may be interested in science education careers that include, but can go beyond, teaching.
The panelists described their educational paths and current positions at different science education organizations around New York City, including: The City College of New York; the American Museum of Natural History; Common Denominator, a math mentorship and tutoring organization; and numerous New York City public schools. They then dispensed career advice about combining one’s interests in science and education as a career.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Syd Steinhardt
212-650-7875
ssteinhardt1@ccny.cuny.edu