President, Rockefeller Dean Named Top Leaders

President Havidán Rodríguez and Rockefeller College Dean R. Karl Rethemeyer are being honored by a leading political journalism organization as two of the top 50 leaders in higher education.

The inaugural “Higher Education Power 50” list by the New York City-based City & State identifies “the most politically powerful members of New York’s colleges, universities and other centers of learning.”

Heading the list of 50 top leaders is SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson, both as the leader of the 64-campus system and as “a player in New York politics and policymaking,” City & State wrote. “She lobbies for funding for SUNY’s many schools and programs, is spearheading the rollout of the governor’s Excelsior scholarship, backed the DREAM Act, champions faculty diversity — and unapologetically trumpets the economic benefits of a college degree.”

Rockefeller College Dean R. Karl Rethemeyer

President Rodríguez is honored as a “key figure in efforts to revitalize and attract high-tech investors to the Capital Region.” City & State also noted his 25 years as a leader in higher education and his current role both as president of UAlbany and regional co-chair of the Capital Region Council for Economic Development.

Rethemeyer was chosen for his work at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, both as dean for the past year and as interim dean for the three years prior. “Now at the helm of one of the nation’s premier public affairs schools, Rethemeyer — a terrorism expert who studies the influence of social networks on politics and policy — is working to align educational priorities with the University at Albany” City & State wrote.

A political and online journal covering New York government and politics, City & State publishes a weekly print magazine and daily news emails directed at state, county and municipal representatives and other players in business and government.

The organization will hold a reception in New York City Wednesday honoring the “Power 50,” and Rethemeyer will be there representing UAlbany.

“I’m excited to attend on behalf of the University,” Rethemeyer said. “This is a marker of our collective success at developing and deploying high-quality, innovative programs for students from across New York State and around the world. UAlbany is on the move; I am proud to be part of ‘unleashing greatness.’”