2024 Power Players in Education

Dr. Keydron K. Guinn is a professor of public health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and special assistant to the president. With a Ph.D. in medical sociology, his work focuses on advancing public health through research, teaching, and leadership. As executive vice president at Downstate, Dr. Guinn has led initiatives to promote institutional equity and improve health outcomes for underserved communities, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing disparities and enhancing health care access.

How can policymakers support New York’s students and educators?
Policymakers can support New York’s students and educators by prioritizing mental health initiatives in schools, ensuring access to comprehensive health services, and integrating wellness programs into curricula. Strengthening mental health support for educators is crucial. Additionally, promoting diversity in the education of future health care providers will better address the needs of diverse communities. Expanding programs that focus on cultural competence and health equity will foster a more inclusive and effective health care workforce.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
One of my most memorable educational experiences was conducting field research during my doctoral studies in Medical Sociology. Engaging directly with communities to investigate health care disparities deepened my commitment to addressing systemic inequities. This hands-on research not only enhanced my understanding of public health challenges but also strengthened my belief in the importance of collaborating with communities to create meaningful change and lasting impact, particularly for underserved populations facing significant health disparities.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice I received from my mentor, Dr. Wayne J. Riley, was to always lead with integrity and compassion, particularly in challenging times. He stressed that true leadership stems from adaptability, staying grounded in core values, and maintaining a strong commitment to the people and communities we serve. His guidance has profoundly shaped my approach to both professional and personal challenges, constantly reminding me to focus on making a meaningful and lasting impact.

Dr. Russell K. Hotzler became City Tech’s eighth president in 2004, leading curriculum reforms, expanding STEM and health care programs, and increasing faculty appointments. Under his leadership, the College has become the epicenter of STEM education within CUNY. Hotzler oversaw the building of a 360,000-square-foot academic complex in 2018, which houses state-of-the-practice laboratories, clinics and classrooms. A former CUNY vice chancellor, York College and Queens College president, Hotzler holds a Ph.D. in physical metallurgy from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

Dr. Larry D. Johnson Jr. became the second president of Stella and Charles Guttman Community College-CUNY in July 2021. Previously, he made history as the first Black president of Phoenix College. With experience as provost and faculty at various institutions, he contributes to organizations like the AACC and Phipps Neighborhood, and he has received multiple awards. He earned his B.A. from Florida A&M, master’s from Florida State, and doctorate from Clark Atlanta University.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
One unforgettable moment for me was conferring degrees to students who excelled. Crowning these high-achieving individuals while their families cheered filled me with pride. This experience reinforced my commitment to a life of service and deepened my advocacy for student access and success at community colleges. Witnessing their achievements is a constant reminder of why I’m dedicated to helping students reach their goals and thrive in their educational journeys.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice I received was not to let my past define me. After losing my mother and facing emotional and physical trauma, I felt tempted to give up. My mentor reminded me that I am enough and that my compassion for others can drive positive change. This perspective has strengthened my faith and resilience, helping me persevere through the most challenging personal and professional circumstances. I carry this wisdom with me every day.

As president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library, Linda E. Johnson oversees a wide range of free English, career, tech and literacy classes for children, teens, and adults, anchored by Bard at BPL. The innovative micro college provides a free liberal arts education to students who had previously been deterred, discouraged or excluded from higher education, making BPL the only public library in the nation where you can earn a college degree.

As executive director of Global Kids, Dominique Jones leads its mission to inspire NYC and D.C. students to take action on pressing local, national and global issues. Under Dominique’s leadership, thousands of students – mostly minority youth – have access to varied, supported programs that educate them on current events, foreign policies, and human rights issues, while inspiring them to break barriers and take their place at the forefront of groundbreaking social action.

How can policymakers support New York’s students and educators?
Policymakers can support New York’s students and educators by establishing policies and budgets that respond to the whole child. It’s not enough to set policy on one aspect of the work, like curriculum, without acknowledging and solving the issues that may impact student learning, such as access to technology, family needs or cultural competence. By addressing these issues, we’re able to set up our students and educators for success.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
For me, school was a wonderful place to be. Being raised by educators, going to school was a must, but I didn’t complain because I had so much fun. Some of my warmest memories were at school: from winning the school spelling bee to performing in the band and discovering my interest in government and public service with teachers who gave my peers and me opportunities to engage and encouraged our curiosity.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Failures aren’t failures, just lessons on how to get better.

New York City Council Member Rita Joseph, elected in 2021, is a former public school teacher and community activist. Her advocacy began at 19 when she organized a rally challenging discriminatory blood donation rules against Haitians, fought against cuts to student MetroCards and police brutality. Now chair of the Education Committee, she advocates for equity in New York City Public Schools and serves on various other key committees.

How can policymakers support New York’s students and educators?
Policymakers must take bold action to support New York’s students and educators. Increasing funding for programs and initiatives that are proven to work can change the trajectory of our educational system for the better. We need to invest in our schools like never before Our educators deserve fair pay and the support to grow professionally. This isn’t just about policy; it’s about justice and giving every student the chance to succeed.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
Studying abroad was the most transformative experience of my educational journey. It opened my eyes to new perspectives, cultures, and ideas that I would never have encountered otherwise. Immersing myself in a different environment challenged me to grow, adapt, and truly appreciate the diversity of our world. It not only expanded my academic knowledge but also deepened my understanding of global issues, shaping the way I approach leadership and service in my community today.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice I ever received from a mentor was simple but powerful: “Staying rooted in community.” It reminded me the importance of always being connected to the people I serve, listening to their concerns, and never losing sight of the bigger picture. This advice has shaped my approach to public service, ensuring I remain focused on uplifting those around me, staying grounded, and advocating for real, impactful change that reflects the needs of my community.

John B. King Jr. is the 15th chancellor of the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, King served as president of The Education Trust. Chancellor King holds a B.A.in government from Harvard University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, as well as both a M.A. in the teaching of social studies and a doctorate in education from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Interim President Malcolm King is a graduate of The Cooper Union’s Albert Nerken School of Engineering. Elected to Cooper’s Board of Trustees in 2013, he served as board chair, Audit Committee chair, and on the Free Education Committee, which issued the plan to return to full-tuition scholarships. The plan has achieved a six-year freeze on tuition, increased scholarship levels covering, on average, nearly 85% of tuition, and free tuition for half of the student body.

How can policymakers support New York’s students and educators?
Prioritizing investment in students and educators will lead to better outcomes and ultimately benefit society. Policymakers must ensure that teacher salaries keep pace with the cost of living, that funding for tutoring to supplement classroom instruction is sufficient, and that the nutritional and material needs of underprivileged students are fully met.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
My favorite moment was both exhilarating and impactful. A literature professor returned a paper with a split grade: high for form, low for content, noting I had no original ideas. This prompted me to re-read the text multiple times, exploring it in different contexts, ultimately producing a paper I was proud of. That experience sparked my lifelong habit of contextualizing everything I read to uncover patterns and analogies that deepen my understanding of the world.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Early in my career, a mentor emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of disciplined execution as a leader. This doesn’t imply rigidity or a lack of strategic focus but rather developing the foundational capabilities that enable organizations to reach their potential. Over the years, my leadership experience has reinforced that consistently achieving aspirational and transformative goals depends on fostering a disciplined mindset.

With a focus on equity and innovation, Kohlhagen leverages his experience as a former school superintendent to continue CEI’s mission, “Every Student Deserves a Quality Education”, supporting school leaders and school communities with innovations, research based best practices and school transformation strategies designed to improve student outcomes. As CEO, Kohlhagen has significantly expanded CEI’s programs and impact, securing multiple funding sources to support both traditional and charter public schools. Notably, CEI’s proprietary enrichment programs, Project-Boost.

How can policymakers support New York’s students and educators?
Policymakers must prioritize a K-12 comprehensive approach to career readiness with attention to jobs of the future and the needs of our communities, including emerging innovative technologies, understanding the importance of public education, and our belief that schools are the center of change. We must update our teacher preparation programs to attract a new generation of candidates prepared to engage our students and help them meet the challenges of our communities and ensure student success.

Michael I. Kotlikoff is the interim president of Cornell University and professor of molecular physiology. Prior to his appointment, Kotlikoff was Cornell’s longest-serving provost, holding that office from August 2015 to June 2024. Kotlikoff was recruited to Cornell in 2000 as the founding chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the Mammalian Genomics Life Science Initiative, and served as the Austin O. Hooey dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine from 2007 to 2015.