The City University of New York named Suri Duitch the eighth president of Kingsborough Community College, formalizing the interim role she has held since January 2024 and marking a new chapter in her decades-long career in higher education leadership.
The appointment, pending approval by the CUNY Board of Trustees, extends Duitch’s legacy of innovation and service to the University. A two-time CUNY alumna, she previously held senior roles in the University’s Office of Academic Affairs and was instrumental in founding the CUNY School of Professional Studies in 2003, according to a press release.
Before her return to CUNY, Duitch spent seven years at Tulane University, where she served as dean and vice president for academic innovation at the School of Professional Advancement. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center, an MSW from Hunter College, and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University.
“President Duitch is a talented and innovative educator with a deep record of service to this university and a demonstrated commitment to CUNY’s mission of advancing academic opportunities and career outcomes for students of all backgrounds,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “Suri’s achievements at Kingsborough over the past 15 months have reaffirmed the college’s commitment to keep building on the educational excellence it delivers to its students and confirmed that she is the ideal person to lead Kingsborough into the future.”
Since taking the helm at Kingsborough’s Manhattan Beach campus in early 2024, Duitch has overseen several key milestones. Under her leadership, Kingsborough was named a semifinalist for the prestigious $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the only college from New York State to earn the distinction in 2024. The college also completed an accreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Duitch has prioritized student engagement, amplifying student leadership and fostering a vibrant campus culture that includes an award-winning athletics program. She is now spearheading the college’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan in collaboration with faculty, staff, and community stakeholders, focusing on measurable outcomes and inclusive growth.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president of Kingsborough Community College, a critical institution within
Kingsborough serves more than 18,000 associate degree-seeking and non-degree students, and celebrated its 60th anniversary in the 2023–24 academic year.
