Following the conclusion of a national search that yielded many highly qualified candidates, and following extensive feedback from students, faculty, and staff, it is my pleasure to announce that at its Monday, May 20 meeting, the CUNY Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Michael E. Steiper, Ph.D. as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Staten Island. Dr. Steiper is well known to us, having served in an interim capacity since October of 2022.  During that time, he has led the division to new heights in terms of faculty scholarship, student success, and in enrollment and retention initiatives. A first-generation college student and native New Yorker, Dr. Steiper holds degrees from NYU and a Doctorate in Anthropology from Harvard University.

Prior to joining CSI, Dr. Steiper spent nearly two decades at Hunter College, holding roles as a faculty member and as an administrator. Over his career, Dr. Steiper established an active research lab and teaching portfolio, helped recruit talented faculty, founded and led an innovative interdisciplinary academic program, transformed key aspects of Hunter’s student success enterprise, improved academic planning, and attracted considerable external funding to advance equity and inclusion.  In addition, Dr. Steiper played an integral role in Hunter’s assessment, accreditation, and institutional research processes. 

I want to thank the members of our community who attended the town halls, answered our surveys, and who were otherwise involved in the search process that led to this decision. I want to especially acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Michel Hodge, Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and Dr. Susan Smith-Peter, Chair of the Faculty Senate, for their roles as co-chairs of the search committee, and hope that you will join me in wishing a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Michael Steiper.

Sincerely, 

Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)