LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS
SUNY Board of Trustees Appoints
Dr. Kristina M. Johnson as the 13th
Chancellor
Beginning in September 2017, the State University of New
York will be under the leadership of a new chancellor, Dr.
Kristina M. Johnson. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher stepped
down from the position in June 2017 after an eight-year term
during which she has positioned the university system as a
national model through an unprecedented partnership with
Governor Cuomo.
Dr. Johnson formerly served as Provost at Johns Hopkins
University, Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke,
and U.S. Under Secretary of Energy. A member of the National
Academy of Engineers and inductee into the Inventors Hall
of Fame, she helped create the technology behind 3D glasses.
Dr. Johnson is the founder and chief executive officer of Cube
Hydro Partners, LLC, which develops hydroelectric generation
facilities that provide clean energy to communities and
businesses throughout the country.
Dr. Johnson is an inventor and entrepreneur who holds 118
U.S. and international patents. She earned her BS, MS and
PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Dr.
Johnson is married to Veronica Meinhard, Senior Executive
Director of Principal Gifts and Senior Associate Athletic
Director at the University of Maryland, College Park.
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
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Dr. Wood Named RCC’s First
President Emeritus
I
n more than 13 years as President of Rockland Community
College, Cliff L. Wood, EdD, made a substantial impact both on
RCC and the Rockland County community. Though Dr. Wood
retired on June 30, he remains linked to RCC as the College’s first
President Emeritus.
The RCC Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 25 to
bestow the honor upon Dr. Wood. “Under Dr. Wood’s leadership,
RCC has reached out to every corner of Rockland to serve the
County’s educational, cultural and business needs,” said Martin
Wortendyke, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “He is widely known as
a leader of vision and integrity, and is clearly deserving of this title.”
“Of all the honors I have received, this is the one that means the
most to me,” Dr. Wood said.
Qualifications for the honor include at least 10 years of service as
President of RCC as well as a record of distinguished service to both
RCC and the greater community.
Status as a President Emeritus carries several privileges, including
the use of the title in community and professional activities. The
President Emeritus will also be listed in the RCC catalog and on the
website, maintain access to RCC e-mail, and receive invitations to
College events and activities.
The current RCC President may request counsel from a President
Emeritus, or ask that he or she serve in various volunteer capacities
to support the College. The President Emeritus is not under any
formal obligation to provide such services.