The CUNY Board of Trustees voted to appoint two new leaders to serve as presidents of Lehman College and Guttman Community College.
Fernando Delgado will serve as the new president of Lehman College, a 52-year-old institution in the Bronx.
He will bring more than 20 years of experience in education to the Lehman community. Delgado’s experience as an academic administrator has taken him to Arizona, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Previously, Delgado was the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Delgado, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from San Jose State University and a master’s and doctorate in communication studies from the University of Iowa, is published for his research of Latinx identity, intercultural communication and sport in society.
“I am honored to be selected as the next president of Lehman College and fully embrace its mission of access and student success,” Delgado said. “As the child of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, I relate very personally to the values of Lehman and CUNY, what they offer their students and the difference they make in their lives. I look forward to getting to campus and joining the faculty and staff of the college to build on these efforts even as we navigate turbulent waters. I thank Chancellor Matos Rodríguez and the CUNY Board of Trustees for this extraordinary opportunity.”
Daniel Lemons was his predecessor at Lehman College, who served as interim president of the college since July 2019.
For Guttman Community College, CUNY’s newest campus that is nationally recognized for its academic methods, the board has named Larry Johnson, Jr. as its president.
Johnson previously served as the president of Phoenix College, a community college based in Maricopa County, Arizona.
His experience in the education system goes beyond Phoenix, having served in leadership positions at community colleges in Missouri’s St. Louis County, Dekalb County of Georgia and Broward County, Florida.
CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez released a statement on the new change in leadership for both CUNY campuses, calling both Delgado and Johnson, “Exceptional leaders who have been excellent role models for students.”
“Fernando Delgado and Larry Johnson have proven themselves to be not only exceptional teachers and scholars but also leaders who have been excellent role models for students,” Matos Rodríguez said. “They blend life experience with scholarly interests and their appointments continue CUNY’s drive for campus leadership that reflects the diversity of our students. Heartfelt thanks to the CUNY Trustees, administrators, faculty and students who served on the committees for these meticulous national searches. CUNY is the better for your efforts.” CUNY Chairperson William Thompson, Jr. released a statement welcoming the two new presidents to the CUNY community.
“In Drs. Delgado and Johnson, CUNY has found accomplished educators with the experience and sense of mission necessary to lead two campuses that have set high standards for access, inclusion and innovation,” Thompson Jr. said. “We are delighted to welcome them to the City University of New York.”
Both presidents’ tenures are effective July 1, bringing the total to nine presidencies filled since Matos Rodriguez’s tenure began in May 2019.
