2025 Power Players in Education

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 SUNY chancellor, King served as president of The Education Trust and as the 10th United States secretary of education under President Barack Obama, and as New York’s first Black and Hispanic state education commissioner. 

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future? 
We have seen challenges from the current federal administration in terms of hostility to higher education, especially with cuts to student services and the cancellation of research grants. Despite these challenges, SUNY will continue to uphold our core values and principles, and we will work to ensure our campuses remain welcoming for all students. Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, I remain hopeful that SUNY will continue to thrive and be an example of research excellence.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
Public school teachers played a vital role in my early life growing up in Brooklyn, which helped inspire me to become an educator myself, and gave me a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education. From working in the classroom, to serving as President Obama’s secretary of education, to my current role as chancellor of the SUNY System, I have always found joy in supporting students and empowering them to achieve their goals academically, professionally, and as future leaders.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026? 
Thanks to the support from Governor Hochul and state leaders, SUNY has been able to support our students’ success through wraparound support programs like ASAP|ACE, expanded internship opportunities, and the launch of SUNY Reconnect which provides free community college for adult learners pursuing degrees in high-demand fields. We have also made historic investments in cutting-edge research that can improve lives and drive economic development. My goal is to build on these successes and ensure that SUNY serves as the gold standard across the nation for high-quality, affordable public higher education.

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.

Michael I. Kotlikoff is the 15th president of Cornell University and professor of molecular physiology. Previously, 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.

President Kowal has served as UUP’s president since May 2013. Under Kowal’s leadership, UUP has become a strong, politically influential organization. Ensuring a good budget for SUNY, year after year, is of utmost importance to him. Central to this work has been Kowal’s insistence that UUP take on the role of offering innovative solutions to the challenges facing SUNY. His efforts to protect UUP’s members, and the students and patients they serve, are beyond compare.

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future? 
There has been a continuous assault on public funding for higher education across states in the US. This has led to fewer opportunities and choices for students, especially those who are financially challenged. Additionally, a trend of constant assaults on the work educators do has developed, specifically from the right, but not solely from the right. There has been a loss of belief in the inherent value of education. Finally, the emergence of AI has led to threats to the work faculty do and there needs to be the creation of boundaries for this technology. My hope for the future is that somehow, Americans will come to embrace education as a public good, though my hope is not strong right now.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
The opportunity to change lives by providing the tools and foundation for students to pursue their own path, their own wisdom. I’ve always wanted to leave students with questions, not answers.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
First, to survive the Trump onslaught. Second, to negotiate a great new contract for our members working at SUNY campuses. Third, to convince the state to raise taxes on the super-rich so that public goods can be maintained – like public higher education – regardless of what the regime in D.C. does.

Marvin Krislov has served as president of Pace University since 2017, leading initiatives that strengthen academics, expand opportunities, and prepare students for success in a changing economy. Previously president of Oberlin College, he also held senior roles at the University of Michigan, the White House and the Department of Labor. A Rhodes Scholar, he earned degrees from Yale and Oxford. His leadership focuses on innovation, equity, and preparing students to thrive in an evolving world.

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future?
Higher education is changing rapidly. Students want flexibility, real-world relevance, and clear career connections, while institutions face demographic and financial challenges. We must deliver programs that are rigorous, responsive and forward-looking. My hope is that higher education continues to evolve while holding fast to its purpose: preparing students to think critically, solve complex problems and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the global economy.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
I most enjoy witnessing education’s transformative power – seeing students discover their passions, especially first-generation college students pursuing ambitious goals. Supporting them as they grow in confidence is deeply rewarding. I also value collaborating with faculty and staff whose creativity and dedication make these journeys possible. Education builds not only knowledge but also communities where people learn from one another and grow together toward shared purpose and success.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
My 2026 goals center on academic excellence, innovation and lifelong learning. At Pace, we’re expanding hands-on learning and internships that launch careers while integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and collaboration. As higher education evolves, we aim to lead by adapting to change, meeting workforce needs, and serving learners at every stage, ensuring Pace continues to deliver an education that empowers students to thrive and lead in a rapidly changing world.

Brian Krist, Esq. is a lifelong public servant from Manhattan. He was elected to the Board of Regents in March 2025 and currently serves as an associate court attorney in the New York State Unified Court System and an adjunct faculty of Montclair State University. Throughout his career, Regent Krist has held a variety of positions in both city and state government and has contributed his expertise through service on numerous public boards and committees.

Dr. James Lentini became the seventh president of Molloy University in June 2020, bringing bold vision and leadership to a transformative period in the institution’s history. Under his guidance, Molloy achieved university status, reached record-setting enrollment, expanded fundraising, and launched a forward-focused Strategic Plan 2028, designed to meet the educational and workforce needs of the New York metropolitan region. A recognized leader in higher education, Dr. Lentini’s career as an award-winning composer and guitarist includes status as a voting member of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards.  

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future?
Most recently, the higher ed landscape has been severely altered by government actions negatively affecting research and grant funding, student loans, and more. This adds to the existing enrollment challenges many schools are seeing due to demographic shifts, causing financial strain. My hope is that the undeniably positive value of higher education to change lives and communities for the better will be more strongly messaged and understood. The fact remains that the best vehicle to build a life and career for both well-being and livelihood is to achieve a college education.  

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
I am blessed to hold a position that can have a positive influence on the lives of our students, our community, and our region by educating individuals to become productive citizens and to realize their dreams. How awesome is that! Yes, there are challenges, but the pursuit of truth and knowledge has immense benefits for all who are a part of the higher education community, including better jobs and an improved standard of living.   

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
My goals for 2026 include expanding Molloy University’s footprint with our new Talent Solutions program to educate the workforce of Long Island through not only degrees but through custom partnerships with businesses, hospitals, and government agencies to create certificates and programs that provide opportunities for individuals while serving the needs of employers in our region. We’re breaking enrollment records at Molloy due to the high quality of our in-demand programs and graduates, and we expect to climb even higher. 

As president of the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation since 2017, Dr. Guillermo Linares oversees $1B annually in financial aid for 330,000+ students, championing college access for underserved communities. His legacy includes introducing the NYS Dream Act while in the Assembly. Celebrating 50 years of public service in 2025, Dr. Linares has held influential roles, including NYC Council member, State assemblyman, and chair of the White House Initiative for Hispanic Education.

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future?
The biggest shift I’ve seen in education came with COVID-19, which transformed how we deliver learning. It challenged teachers, students and parents while highlighting the critical role of technology as education moved online. At HESC, we adapted how we delivered information by moving to a virtual platform. Looking ahead, I hope New York remains guided by leaders like Governor Hochul, who prioritizes education, expands access to financial aid and embraces adaptability for future challenges.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
What I enjoy most is helping students realize their potential and supporting their parents in that journey. I’m incredibly proud of how we transformed the delivery of our services to better serve our students and families. Equally, I find great fulfillment in working with our partners like SUNY, CUNY, NYSED, private universities, and a vast network of community partners, as these relationships are critical to our mission and amplify our reach and impact.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
As I look toward 2026, my goal is to build on this year’s success and momentum, which have elevated HESC to new heights, exemplified by our newly launched award-winning website. A key focus is modernizing our long-standing financial aid systems to better serve students, families, and academic partners. By simplifying service delivery and adopting a more user-centric approach, we’ll enhance how we inform and support our communities while improving operational efficiency and strengthening our impact.

Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, a noted scholar in the fields of child and adolescent mental health, is Dean and Paulette Goddard professor of social work at NYU Silver School of Social Work, and an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow. He is a New York City Board of Health member, a distinguished fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Social Work, and the president of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future?
Technological advancements have been game-changing for social work education. At NYU Silver, we are increasing online options within our MSW program, making it more accessible to working students. Data science and AI enable our researchers and students to better identify and address mental health and social needs in underserved communities, and address them ethically. We are pilot testing AI-powered, virtual reality simulations to help students better hone their practice skills.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
I enjoy supporting the dreams and aspirations of those with whom I work, whether it is the research and innovative teaching of faculty colleagues or the dreams and aspirations of our most important constituents: students. Helping our social work students to pursue goals about which they are passionate keeps me motivated. Like me, most of them entered the field because they want to make a difference in the world.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
I will continue to address the growing shortage of social workers who can address society’s needs. At least 41 states report not having enough social workers to meet mental and behavioral health needs, according to NRI. Meanwhile, 28% of NYC public schools had no social workers for mental health support, according to the state comptroller. Expanding NYU Silver’s online programs, School Social Work Training Academy, and AI for Good leadership are among my goals.

John Liu is a trailblazing state senator with a proven track record of fighting for education, equal opportunity, and government accountability. As the first Asian American to win legislative office in New York and the first to win citywide office, he has always championed policies that look to strengthen public education, advocate for immigrant rights, and ensure all New Yorkers have a voice.

How has the educational landscape changed in recent years and what are your hopes for its future?
Under NYC’s current school governance system of mayoral control and accountability, the educational landscape changes significantly depending on who is the mayor. Next year, mayoral control is up for review once again, and we will take a hard look at whether this system should remain or we should try something new, as other big cities across the nation have already done.

What do you most enjoy about working in education?
Whether as chair of the Senate’s Committee on NYC Education, in my classroom teaching municipal finance and public policy at Columbia University, or in the air as a volunteer flight instructor with the United States Civil Air Patrol, I most enjoy helping others reach their potential wherever their path leads.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
New York continues to contend with Trump’s budget cuts to everything from health care to education, so the upcoming budget cycle will be especially difficult and important. In 2026, the state legislature will be focusing on upholding New York’s values, protecting working families and safeguarding the public services that have long provided equal economic opportunity and compassion for all.