Hunter College is a public university located in New York City, United States, and serves as one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Established as the Normal College of the City of New York in 1870, it was the first free public college for women in the United States. The institution was renamed Hunter College in 1914 after its first president, Thomas Hunter. It became coeducational in 1943 and has since grown into a comprehensive institution offering over one hundred undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, and Silberman School of Social Work. With an approximate enrollment of 23,000 students, Hunter is known for its diverse student body and faculty, reflecting the multicultural fabric of New York City. The college emphasizes accessible higher education and is particularly renowned for programs in urban studies, education, nursing, and the performing arts, alongside strong offerings in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The college's main campus is situated in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, with additional facilities including the Brookdale Health Sciences Center, the Hunter East Harlem Gallery, and the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute. Hunter College also plays a significant role in K-12 education by administering Hunter College High School and Hunter College Elementary School, both prestigious institutions that provide rigorous academic programs to gifted students. The university has a strong commitment to research and community engagement, with faculty and students contributing to fields such as public health, social justice, and environmental studies. Notable alumni include Nobel laureate Gertrude Elion, actress Helen Hayes, political leader Bella Abzug, poet Audre Lorde, and actress Ruby Dee, underscoring Hunter's impact on science, arts, and public service. As part of CUNY, it maintains a focus on affordability and inclusivity, serving a large number of first-generation college students and immigrants. Hunter College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.