Three new partners will use Downtown Brooklyn as a testing ground for technology that has the potential to make cities more livable.

Downtown Brooklyn’s impressive roster of higher ed institutions and academic programs is about to get an exciting new addition. Earlier this month, Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn announced plans to open a new undergraduate school in partnership with globally-recognized entertainment company Roc Nation. Dubbed The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment, the program aims to prepare students for careers in performance, entrepreneurship, and entertainment business management.

Growing the Next Generation of Talent

The new school will offer coursework in three tracks: music; music technology, entrepreneurship, and production; and sports management. Students will learn from university professors and prominent guest artists and industry lecturers, and gain practical experience through internships with companies across New York City’s thriving entertainment sector. The school will also run programming for middle- and high-school students, including summer camps and weekend programs.

Opportunities for New Yorkers

LIU Brooklyn seeks to connect students from a broad range of backgrounds with opportunities in New York City and beyond. In keeping with that goal, a quarter of enrolled students will receive full-tuition scholarships and individualized mentorship support – enabling students to access a world-class education and graduate debt-free. These Roc Nation Hope Scholarships will be offered to New York residents who demonstrate both financial need and strong prior academic performance. Scholarship support will also be available for summer camp programs.

Building on Brooklyn Ties

Roc Nation was founded more than a decade ago by Jay-Z. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Jay-Z attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School on Tillary Street, around the corner from LIU’s campus in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. LIU Brooklyn has its own prominent history in the borough – the university was founded in 1926 and has maintained a permanent home at 1 University Plaza since 1960. Today, LIU boasts an enrollment of more than 11,000 students.

The LIU and Roc Nation partnership is set to launch careers in the entertainment industry, with direct access to Downtown Brooklyn’s many cultural venues and innovation firms. We look forward to welcoming the new school to the neighborhood next year!

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