I have heard many descriptions about how CUNY has evolved over the last 15 years. Some talk about the “resurgence” CUNY is undergoing. Others call it a “resurrection.” I have even heard some say CUNY is experiencing “a second renaissance.” Whichever the description, virtually everyone who has a familiarity with CUNY’s history believes the quality of education and the overall collegiate experience is vastly superior to what it was a decade and a half ago. While I believe there are many reasons for this systemic and fundamental turnaround, it is clear CUNY’s leadership through Chancellor Goldstein has been the primary catalyst for these advancements. Due to my own observations, interactions and experiences with Chancellor Goldstein, I would like to make the following brief comments about his leadership and its transformative qualities for students at CUNY.

I believe the above quote by Henry Kissinger captures the essence of Chancellor Goldstein’s leadership. He has been able “to get his people,” whether the members of the Chancellery, campus presidents or the Board of Trustees, to envision something bigger than what we once knew. Speaking as a relatively new Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, I can say that the Chancellor has provided consistent, stable and certain leadership while at the same time creating an encouraging environment––one where new ideas, innovation and responsible action are welcomed. I am also struck by the frequency in which the Chancellor and other executives speak about support for and the success of students. I am certain this culture of leadership is the direct result of Chancellor Goldstein’s expectations and standards for ensuring the mission of CUNY and its service to New York City.

Chancellor Goldstein cares deeply about the students and their success. Without an unwavering commitment to students at his core, the Chancellor would not have been able to advance the University to its current position of leadership within the national higher education arena. Whether influenced by his upbringing in New York City, years as a CCNY student, or time as a faculty member and college administrator, it is clear that Chancellor Goldstein has kept students’ interests as a centerpiece of his work. A mentor once told me, “Whenever you have a tough decision to make, think ‘students first’ and then decide.” Time and again, Chancellor Goldstein has put students first by establishing a vision which encapsulates the highest expectations and core principles aimed at supporting student success and the learning enterprise.

The Chancellor has always desired a stronger and more relevant education for CUNY students. Whether this is due to his vision, an authentic commitment to students or a desire to ensure the integrity of the University, Chancellor Goldstein has been a catalytic champion for CUNY, its students and its future. In my observations, I have witnessed a deeply-driven purpose and steadfast spirit to improve educational opportunity for students at CUNY. I am thankful to have been a part of this new era, and I look forward to the generations of students who will benefit from Chancellor Goldstein’s work.

All my best,

Frank D. Sanchez, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Mehak Kapoor will be graduating from John Jay College with a Bachelors of Science in Economics and minors in Philosophy and English. Her exceptional grade point average of 3.929 has earned her membership into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and for the past three consecutive years she has been a part of the Dean’s List. Ms. Kapoor has received numerous awards and scholarships including Dean’s List honors, Captain Edward Leuchs Scholarship, Upper Division, Maria I. Ramirez Scholarship, Rising Sophomore Scholarship, Peter F. Vallone Scholarship and the Advanced Mediator.

Ms. Kapoor has been an exceptional student leader. She has served as President, Vice President, and Sophomore Representative of Student Council; served as a Peer Ambassador for Student Affairs; and served as a Peer Mentor for First Year Experience. Ms. Kapoor organized a domestic violence panel where attorneys and nonprofit organizations were invited to speak to increase awareness of domestic violence, explain the early red flag signals, and inform students about resources. As a result, one student sought help after two years of abuse. Most notably, during her tenure as Student Council President, Ms. Kapoor successfully led her fellow students in a campaign to increase the student activity fee, which has not been increased since 1988.

In addition to her work at John Jay College, Ms. Kapoor has also contributed to her local community by volunteering as a Peer Mediator at William Cullen Bryant High School, served as a volunteer tutor for young people in her community and served as an intern at GDAP Strategies.

The many opportunities in life that have been afforded to Ms. Kapoor have led to her desire to give back to others. She is pursuing law school and has an ambition to be an immigration attorney.

Students spent the Saturday learning about many areas involved in advocacy including how to identify problems in their communities; develop an understanding of the issues; analyze the bigger picture and the power structures at work; and develop campaign strategies including a plan for running and winning a campaign. Working in small groups, students were told to identify a problematic issue in their community and to formulate a campaign to advocate for change. Students remarked that the mock campaign helped them to understand the different strategies better and how to work with and compromise with others. “I understand how to work with others, and the activity put my skills to the test,” shared one student. Another stated that “Being specific is vital. Changes, even if small or not completely what you want, are possible.” At its conclusion, the workshop participants had learned important lessons noting that in order to make big changes, one can target smaller issues first; and that by building a solid foundation first, one is better positioned to achieve a bigger impact

Following a networking lunch, students were treated to highlights of SVC Hershenson’s career experiences, including the mentoring he provided to the late former Vice Chancellor Ernesto Malave, and his personal philosophy of leadership that stresses the importance of:

• expressing gratitude and appreciation by openly recognizing the contributions of others in your collaborations;

• possessing humility (also considered a political asset);

• stepping back at times and letting someone else be the first to voice your ideas, remembering it may help gain support and buy-in of your ideas if others first initiate the topic; and

• asking others you respect for advice, and remembering sometimes to take advice, another good way to get idea buy-in.

SVC Hershenson urged students to “step up and provide your A-game,” advising them that the three keys to success in advocacy and leadership are “Persistence, Persistence and Persistence.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Frank Sanchez also provided remarks earlier in the program. He shared his resolve to help students develop their skills and abilities and to expose them to ways of thinking differently about the world and its possibilities. Other senior staff members in attendance from the Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA) included University Assistant Dean Chris Rosa and MLA Director Kevin Tucker as well as MLA staff and students from the CCSD.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the luncheon talk with Senior Vice Chancellor Hershenson who so graciously shared his experience in leadership. I was touched to the core when he talked about how many of us are diamonds in the rough. This spoke to me because of the process in which a diamond is made, with high pressure and care until the diamond is formed.” – JP Villa, Brooklyn College

“I was deeply inspired by Senior Vice Chancellor Hershenson’s speech on leadership. He talked about how he used a simple and direct line of communication to achieve a goal. Senior Vice Chancellor Hershenson challenged what seemed to be a difficult situation which created social change for the students. This style of leadership is one that I would like to emulate as I continue to develop my leadership skills.” – Dorothy Williams Wallen, Lehman College

The day began with motivating words from the president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, Reverend Dr. Jamie Washington. Afterwards, the 280 conference participants dispersed to take part in workshops that included an examination of the impact of social media; how to find your voice as a leader and team builder; and the work of the CUNY Women’s Centers to create a model of collaboration and teamwork in the college community. 35 volunteers and members of the 2013 Emerging Leaders Conference planning team helped to make the conference a success, with the support of the CUNY Council of Student Life Directors (CCSLD), the Malave Leadership Academy (MLA) and the CUNY Central Office of Student Affairs (COSA).