Mauro and Alfred State excited to work with Chancellor King

The State University of New York announced that John B. King, Jr. is now named to become 15th Chancellor of SUNY. Alfred State College (ASC) and President Dr. Steven Mauro are excited to work with King as he begins his role in January.

“Chancellor King brings a great wealth of experience with him to the helm of SUNY,” stated Mauro. “I look forward to seeing how his vision will strengthen the whole state system along with ASC. Alfred State faculty and staff have proven to be innovative and truly ‘Pioneers’ at adapting to serve the needs of our students, alumni, and the community. Chancellor King has been an advocate and architect for many initiatives to assist first-generation and low-income families who comprise most of our student body.”

King brings decades of experience as a leader in education administration and policy at the local, state, and national levels. He has championed expanding access to high-quality, affordable education in recognition of the transformative power it holds for students from all walks of life.

Chancellor King served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, who called him “an exceptionally talented educator.” While serving in this cabinet-level post, Chancellor King worked to simplify the financial aid process, oversaw federal investments in evidence-based strategies to increase college completion, and advocated for the president’s America’s College Promise proposal, which called for creating a federal-state partnership to make attendance at community colleges free and also investing in scaled wrap-around services to support students on the path to academic success. 

Regarding his appointment as chancellor, King said, “I am humbled and honored to accept the position of chancellor and to advance Governor Kathy Hochul’s vision to make SUNY the best statewide system of public higher education in our nation. Public education quite literally saved my life when I lost both of my parents at a young age, and I have dedicated my professional career ever since to ensuring that every student has access to the academic opportunities that they need and deserve. I look forward to working with all members of our campus communities, lawmakers, and stakeholders to bring SUNY to new heights and maximize its potential.”

Chancellor King is currently the President of The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students in early childhood, K-12 education, and higher education. From 2011 to the beginning of 2015 when he joined the Obama Administration, Chancellor King served as New York State’s first African American and first Puerto Rican education commissioner. He worked in this position to leverage federal Perkins funding to invest in a statewide initiative

King replaces Deborah F. Stanley, former president of SUNY Oswego, who has been serving as interim chancellor since December 2021.

Additional Quotes:

“As we work to continue to transform SUNY to meet the needs of the next generation of students and New York’s economy, we need a leader who understands how to balance striving for both excellence and equity. John King has a proven record of doing both,” said SUNY Chairman Dr. Merryl H. Tisch. “We are thrilled to welcome John back to New York and are confident that he is perfectly positioned and prepared to tackle the challenges that face our system in the years ahead,” said SUNY Vice Chairman Cesar Perales.

"For almost 75 years, the State University of New York system has been committed to advancing knowledge for students. As a proud graduate of SUNY Binghamton, I can personally attest to the power of our state's public universities and was honored to join the search Committee for the next Chancellor,” said U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (SUNY Binghamton, Class of 1992). “As a child of New York, product of our public schools and educator and public servant, John King has the vision, intellect, experience and expertise needed to lead the system into the future. While serving as Secretary of Education, we had the chance to partner to expand college affordability, increase financial aid as well as invest in student success and completion. I know he will carry this work forward in his new work and congratulate John on his appointment."

“As President Obama's Secretary of Education, John King helped lead our fight for expanded access to higher education for every American and to ensure that all students had the support they needed to finish college. He championed the role of Community Colleges, connected them to the needs of today's workforce, and helped lead the effort across the administration to lift up young men and boys of color through President Obama's My Brother’s Keeper initiative,” said Valerie Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation. “John believes in his core that public education - from pre-k to post-doctorate - is the key to challenging inequity and unlocking the potential of every individual. I can think of no better leader than John to lead the State University of New York and I know his service will be exemplary."

“John King is an extraordinary leader who has dedicated his life to equity in public education, guided by his belief that all students, everywhere, deserve an excellent education,” said Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder and President of Emerson Collective. “As SUNY Chancellor, John will demonstrate the same high standard of excellence that has always defined his leadership, benefiting students and communities across New York for many years to come.”