Johanna Duncan-Poitier

Senior Vice Chancellor, Community Colleges and the Education Pipeline for the State University of New York (SUNY)

With over 25 years of experience providing results-driven leadership, Johanna Duncan-Poitier currently serves as the Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges and the Education Pipeline for the State University of New York (SUNY). Ms. Duncan-Poitier provides system oversight and coordination for SUNY’s 30 community colleges with a quarter of a million students and an annual operating budget of $1.8 billion.  She provides leadership across all 64 SUNY campuses to strengthen teacher preparation and the educational connections between its institutions and local Pre K–12 school districts, business leaders, community-based organizations, and other partners to maximize student success and prepare a highly-qualified 21st century workforce. This includes the development of a statewide network of cradle-to-career partnerships, the Smart Scholars Early College High Schools Network,  and the SUNY Empire State STEM Learning Network. Ms. Duncan-Poitier also serves as one of six New York State Commissioners for the Education Commission of the States.

Prior to joining SUNY in 2009, Ms. Duncan-Poitier served as Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education P-16 for the New York State Education Department, with responsibility for regulatory oversight of the State’s 700 school districts, 270 colleges and universities (both public and private) and 434 proprietary schools. She also had oversight for the preparation and licensure of three quarters of a million licensed professionals in 47 health, business and design professions.

Johanna Duncan-Poitier earned a baccalaureate degree from Queens College of the City University of New York and a master’s degree in public administration from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York. She received two honorary degrees including a Doctor of Laws from Saint Joseph’s College and a Doctor of Humane Letters from D’Youville College. She has been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including: the Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award; the President’s National Award for Excellence in Administering Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Programs; and the New York State Association for Women in Administration – Pathfinder’s Award.