School Spotlight Interview: Marina Cofield, CEO, East Harlem Scholars Academies, Cuts Ribbon on ‘Stunning’ New Facility
In September, East Harlem Scholars Academies, which operates two SUNY authorized charter schools, cut the ribbon on a new state of the art, 70,000-square-foot facility in East Harlem with 25 classrooms, a 20-foot mural, fully equipped labs, and a college-access suite. We spoke with Marina Cofield, CEO of East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) and East Harlem Scholars Academies, to learn about the design process, how the team navigated unexpected challenges, and what the new facility means for scholars and the community.
Congrats on the new facility! What did you feel opening the doors to your students for the first time?
Our high school scholars have earned a state-of-the-art, comfortable learning environment like this, they are happy to be here. As an organization, we take great pride and relief in knowing that the transition is now complete, and our students will thrive in the enhanced conditions of this exceptional new facility. I am both hopeful and excited to witness how this new facility will positively influence countless young people in our community. By providing spaces that encourage students to engage in extracurricular activities, we are creating opportunities for them to spend less time on the streets. Additionally, with the expanded resources now available for college preparation, we are positioning hundreds of scholars for success in higher education.
Tell us a bit about the building. What makes it so special? Do you think the new facility sets your students up for success?
From our stunning, art-filled lobby to our NBA-regulation basketball courts, this new facility showcases expansive classrooms, a music room, state-of-the-art science labs, a Blackbox theater, and generous lockers for our scholars. While the building’s practical design and comfort enhance the experience for both students and teachers, its true success lies in what happens within these walls—the unwavering commitment of our teachers and staff, who dedicate themselves daily to shaping the future of our scholars.
We 100% believe this facility will play an important role in preparing our young people for success. By being immersed in an environment of such excellence, our scholars will develop a strong sense of belonging, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident when visiting universities or entering the workforce. For those who fully embrace the opportunities available, this building serves as a comprehensive resource, offering everything from resume building through our college prep program to meaningful volunteer experiences.
What has been the reaction from students and staff?
Our new facility has received widespread admiration from the community, our staff, and our scholars alike. It’s rare to see a brand-new high school building open its doors in East Harlem—something that hasn’t happened in decades—so the appreciation from everyone has been extensive.
Take us back to the beginning – what led you down this path? Obviously, you were previously co-located. What did you feel was missing and how will the new facility address those needs?
The vision and drive for this great facility began before my tenure at EHTP. Our former CEO and co-founder of East Harlem Scholars Academies, Jeff Ginsburg, made it his mission to secure the financing and ensure its construction. The previous building where our scholars were learning, like many older structures in New York, lacked natural light and was perpetually too warm. It was a functional space, but one that we simply outgrew. As I mentioned earlier, we firmly believe that the environment plays a crucial role in education, and the children in this community deserve to learn in beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities. This new building is leaps and bounds ahead of our former space in every aspect.
EHTP also owes a debt of gratitude to the Marilyn & Jim Simons Challenge Match, which contributed more than $30 Million and helped raise millions from others to ensure East Harlem students had the high-quality space they deserve, without taking away money from our day-to-day operations.
Your design partner on the new facility was Ennead Architects. What was the process like working with them to turn your vision and your needs into a reality?
Ennead Architects has been an exceptional partner from concept to ribbon cutting. Early in the process, they dedicated significant time to engaging with not only our staff and scholars but also the broader community, ensuring the needs and desires of our neighborhood were fully understood. Through multiple sessions and revisions, they adapted the design to be responsive to the community’s input. We couldn’t have asked for a more collaborative or thoughtful architect.
Our executive director, Kathryn Connell-Espinosa, was at the ribbon-cutting and she was impressed not just by the state-of-the-art classroom space, robotics room, and gymnasium, but also how personal it all felt. How did you incorporate those East Harlem Scholars values into the space?
Our core values—Service, Courage, Humility, Originality, Leadership, Achievement, and Reflection—are embedded throughout this building. From the original 20-foot artwork in the lobby, which reflects the rich diversity and beauty of East Harlem, to the bold decision to construct an NBA regulation-size gym in a neighborhood that had never seen one, our values come to life. Service and Achievement are exemplified in our College Access Lounge, a space designed to equip scholars for success while fostering a deep commitment to service and volunteerism. As you walk through the halls you can really feel that building was constructed with a mission and lots of love.
What were some of the challenges you encountered along the way? What would you have done differently if you could start over again? Any advice for school leaders preparing to start down this road for their own school?
The building took a bit longer to build than it should have due to some legal challenges that we had to work through. That kind of thing is just part of the real estate industry in this City. So if you are building have lots of patience and perseverance. We also had to deal with the pandemic as construction began in for this 70,000-square-foot public charter high school started just before things shut down, so perseverance came in handy. Make sure you listen to the needs to parents, partner with good finance teams and architects for the win.
Changing a facility is never easy. And from I understand there was an extended timeline for completing the project. That had to be difficult. Yet, you were able to retain both students and the commitment of your staff throughout the process. Walk us through how you pulled that off.
I must give full credit to the trust and dedication of our high school faculty. From the Principal to the facilities team, everyone played an integral role in making this transition possible. Starting early during the summer break and maintaining transparency with the team whenever we encountered delays or challenges were key factors in our success. Our facilities team, in particular, went above and beyond, exceeding expectations throughout the move. This was truly a team effort, and I commend the high school leadership and facilities teams for turning this vision into a reality for our students. One final piece of advice—never attempt a move from one building to another in the middle of the school year, seems like common sense but you’d be surprised, we did it here over the break it was a success.
Final thought – what does this mean for East Harlem Scholars going forward?
As we move forward, we are filled with hope and determination, knowing this new building will play a vital role in shaping the bright futures of our current and future scholars. The entire East Harlem community takes immense pride in this space, and we are excited to open its doors, allowing it to become a beacon of opportunity and achievement. I am truly optimistic about what lies ahead for our network of schools and nonprofit, and I firmly believe this building will be a key driver of the success and growth we envision for the years to come.