The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States. SUNY New Paltz is one of 64 SUNY campuses and one of the system's 13 University Colleges. University Colleges are leaders in undergraduate instruction and provide bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences and professional disciplines. Student success is the primary focus as evidenced by faculty and staff interactions through honors programs, independent study opportunities, research and study abroad.
SUNY Leadership
Senior Staff
Deborah F. Stanley, Interim Chancellor
Beth Berlin, Chief Operating Officer
Anta Cissé-Green, Senior Vice Chancellor and General Counsel
Valerie Dent, Deputy Chief Operating Office & Interim Chief Diversity Officer
Johanna Duncan-Poitier, Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges and the Education Pipeline
Aaron Gladd, Chief of Staff
Valerie Grey, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Health & Hospital Affairs and Chief Hospital and Healthcare Operations Officer
Cheryl Hamilton, Interim Student Advocate and Executive Director of Educational Opportunity Programs
Nick Lyons, Senior Advisor
Robert Megna, President of Rockefeller Institute of Government and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor
Travis Proulx, Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs & Marketing
F. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Economic Development and Provost-in-Charge
Board of Trustees
Merryl H. Tisch, Chair - New York City
Cesar Perales, Vice Chair - New York City
Joseph Belluck - New York City
Courtney Eagles Burke - Albany
Alexandria Chun - President, SUNY Student Assembly
Eric Corngold - Brooklyn
Marcos Crespo - New York City
Robert Duffy - Rochester
James Haddon - New York City
Keith Landa - Purchase
Eunice A. Lewin - Buffalo
Stanley S. Litow - New York City
Edward Spiro - New York City
Cary Staller - Old Field
Camille Joseph Varlack - New York City
Christy Woods, President, Faculty Council of Community Colleges - Rochester
New Paltz Leadership
College Council
SUNY College Councils are established, described and governed by the provisions of Article 8, Section 356 of the New York State Education Law. Each state-operated campus has such a Council. Each Council consists of 10 members, nine appointed by the Governor, and one elected by and from the students on the campus. The Governor designates one member as Chair. Council members appointed by the Governor serve for a term of seven years. Councils also shall invite a representative of the faculty and a representative of the alumni to attend regular meetings of the Council. Consistent with the statutory responsibilities of such bodies, they shall develop and foster strong relationships between their institutions and local communities and promote campus and University interests.
Eli Basch, Interim Chairperson - Kingston
Neil Bettez - New Paltz
Judy Bishop '82, Alumni Representative
Brianna Hicks, Student Association President
Ronald Law ’74 - Bronx
Julie L. Noble - Kingston
Jeff Rindler - Hollowville
Reynolds J. Scott-Childress - Faculty Representative
Eleanor Venables - New Paltz
Retired Members
Kenneth J. Abt, Previous Chairperson - Middletown
Bythema B. Bagley ’83 - New Paltz
Administrative Officers
Darrell P. Wheeler, President
Barbara G. Lyman, Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Stephanie Blaisdell, Vice President for Student Affairs
Jeffrey Gant, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Michele Halstead, Vice President for Administration & Finance
Erica Marks, Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations and Executive Director, SUNY New Paltz Foundation
Tanhena Pacheco-Dunn, Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Shelly Wright, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communication
Academic Leaders
Kristin Backhaus, Dean, School of Business
Laura Barrett, Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Daniel Freedman, Dean, School of Science & Engineering
Laurel M. Garrick Duhaney, Associate Provost, Strategic Planning & Assessment
Aaron Isabelle, Interim Dean, School of Education
Shala Mills, Associate Provost for Academic Planning & Learning Innovation
Jeni Mokren, Dean, School of Fine & Performing Arts
