This collection primarily reflects the activities of Alvin Saunders Johnson during his years as director and president emeritus of the New School for Social Research (1946-1971). The files consist of biographical materials, correspondence, subject files, and writings. Because much of Johnson's work as president emeritus of the New School was concentrated on fundraising, the correspondence and subject files largely document this activity. Other projects documented here include Johnson's proposal to establish a labor college at the New School (which never came to pass), and launching a Faculty of Retired Professors. The Writings series includes drafts, typescripts, and reprints from publications documenting Johnson's abiding engagement with social issues, in addition to chapter drafts for his autobiography, Pioneer's Progress (published 1952).

Harry Gideonse served as chancellor of the New School for Social Research (now The New School) from 1966 to 1975. This collection contains administrative material from his time at the New School for Social Research, and from work with other organizations during this period, including Freedom House and City University of New York. Includes correspondence, financial and fundraising documents, curriculum and conference material.

These records were created by the dean's office of the adult education division of The New School (as of 2022, Schools of Public Engagement), and predominantly reflect the activities of two deans, William Birenbaum and Allen Austill, 1961-1979. A subset of records document the formation of New School College in the 1960s, the Institute for Retired Professionals, and the Physicians Assistant program. A number of files are restricted due to confidentiality.

The New School Art Center was established in 1960 with a donation from the Albert J. List Foundation, and remained in operation until around 1977. Directed by Paul Mocsanyi, the Center reflected the New School's commitment to engage provocative subjects, using art to explore contemporary political and social issues. Mocsanyi's files also document the founding of the Collectors Institute, an organization for private collectors established in 1973. Materials include exhibition catalogs, artist files, press coverage, posters, fliers and other publicity, administrative correspondence, and photographs, as well as the files of Paul Mocsanyi.

The collection consists of records originating from the office of Mary Urban, who coordinated fundraising and public relations efforts at the New School in the 1940s and early 1950s, and that of her successor, Margarete Westmann, director of Development from 1958-1962. Materials include memoranda and correspondence, financial statements, budgets, advertising contracts, donor and prospect records, and New School Associates membership records. Also includes event planning materials and invitations, fundraising appeals, minutes, reports, promotional materials, and records documenting the work of the Scholarship Committee and the Graduate Faculty Alumni Association. Part of one file is restricted. Please email archivist@newschool.edu for details.

These records represent public relations and course promotions activities of various divisions of the New School from the late 1960s and 1970s. Materials include press releases, internal and external reports, correspondence and memoranda, print publicity for courses, and organizational material regarding special programs and events.

The Schools of Public Engagement was formed in 2011 with the reorganization of the New School for General Studies. As of 2016, the division consisted of: the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students (BPATS); the School of Languages; the School of Media Studies; the Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy; and the Creative Writing Program. The collection also holds the 1991-2008 records of the World Policy Institute. Dating largely from the 1990s until 2014, these records contain correspondence, memoranda, reports, budget and financial material, and faculty and personnel files relating to the administration and governance of the Schools of Public Engagement and their predecessor programs, departments, and schools. Some files are restricted. Please email archivist@newschool.edu for details.