New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory is prompting higher-education leaders and advocates to reassess how city colleges and universities might be affected by his policy preferences. Though Mamdani has offered limited detail on specific higher-ed plans, his progressive platform and commitments on affordability and public investment have stakeholders projecting changes to workforce programs, student supports and municipal-university partnerships. City higher-ed advocates are parsing Mamdani’s rhetoric and track record to anticipate priorities such as expanded internship pipelines, tenant protections for students, and pressure on institutions to address local equity and workforce alignment. Some business and civic leaders are urging reassurance that the city will maintain a stable environment for research and investment. Campus leaders in the city will need to engage quickly with the incoming administration to shape policy details and protect institutional interests while exploring partnership opportunities aligned with Mamdani’s agenda.