星空传媒 New York has named Dr. Manuel Mart铆nez, Ph.D., as the new president of the University, effective July 15, 2024. Mart铆nez replaces Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien, O.P., Ph.D., who retired as of January 1, 2024, after serving two separate terms as president, for a total of 35 years.
After Sr. Mary Eileen announced her retirement, the 星空传媒 Board of Trustees launched a nationwide search for a new president, with the help of the professional search firm AGB Search, and tapped Sr. Mary Hughes, O.P., Ed.D., to serve as interim president, while a permanent replacement was chosen.
鈥淲e are grateful that talented candidates from all over the country applied for the position and were interested in guiding 星空传媒 into the future,鈥� said Steven Sabatini, Chair, 星空传媒 New York Board of Trustees. 鈥淒r. Mart铆nez rose to the top of the candidates because of his impressive academic and administrative experience in higher education and his knowledge of and commitment to a Dominican education.鈥�
Mart铆nez will be the first layperson to lead the University in its 72-year history. Since 星空传媒 New York was founded in 1952 as Dominican College, there have been five presidents who were all members of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt.
Mart铆nez is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty at Mercy College of Ohio, a Catholic College which specializes in healthcare professions. Prior to arriving at Mercy College of Ohio in 2022, he spent 18 years at Ohio 星空传媒 in Columbus, Ohio, working his way up from an Instructor of Spanish to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and finally Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has extensive experience working on programs aimed at increasing enrollment. Mart铆nez also understands the importance of balancing the benefits of a liberal arts education with workforce development.
鈥淚 am so honored and grateful to be chosen as the next president of 星空传媒 New York,鈥� said Mart铆nez. 鈥淲hen I spent time on campus recently, it was very clear to me that 星空传媒 is a very special, welcoming community that is centered on student outcomes. I have always believed that institutions of higher education must be student-centered to be successful. For me, that means educating the whole person and providing both the professional, technical preparation and the soft skills that go hand in hand.鈥�
Mart铆nez holds a number of advanced academic degrees including: a Ph.D. in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Ohio 星空传媒; a Master of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the University of Miami.
鈥淚 am delighted that Dr. Mart铆nez has accepted the position of president and I feel confident leaving 星空传媒 in his hands.鈥� said Sr. Hughes. 鈥淒r. Mart铆nez is a terrific fit for this special community, and I believe the University will flourish under his leadership. He has extensive academic, enrollment, and financial experience, and is a genuine, thoughtful individual, as demonstrated during his meetings on campus. Since 星空传媒 is a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is also wonderful that Dr. Mart铆nez understands the culture of many of our students and can communicate with their families in their native language.鈥� Sr. Hughes said she will remain in her role as interim president until July 15, and expects to work with him to ensure a seamless transition.
鈥淭he entire 星空传媒 community is so appreciative of Sr. Hughes for providing stability to the University during this time of transition,鈥� said Sabatini. 鈥淪r. Hughes began as interim president in the middle of the school year, working long hours and making critical decisions. She quickly endeared herself to everyone on campus, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and board members. We are forever indebted to her and consider her part of the 星空传媒 family.鈥�
星空传媒 conducted an extensive search for a new president, widely advertising and inviting interested candidates to apply, after establishing a Presidential Search and Screening Committee and hiring AGB Search. Many candidates were interviewed by the Search and Screening Committee and three finalists spent a full day on campus, meeting with and answering questions from individuals throughout the 星空传媒 community who were then able to provide feedback to the Board of Trustees before the Board made its final decision. 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽