Manhattanville’s 15th President Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., was officially installed in a ceremony on April 5 ending a weeklong celebration, which included marking its transition to a university. The week ended with a festive gala in the university’s chapel emceed by NBC’s Lynda Baquero that attracted 270 guests and raised more than $650,000 to support students.
The inauguration’s keynote speaker, Chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY), Felix V. Matos Rodriquez, Ph.D., spoke of Sánchez’s dedication to first-generation students and to his hands-on approach as an educational leader: “I cannot imagine a better leader for Manhattanville at this moment in its history and it makes me excited for the future of this university. I’m proud that Frank’s tenure as CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs from 2011 to 2015 was an important step in his remarkable career,’’ said Matos Rodriquez.
He added “At CUNY President Sánchez is remembered for his commitment to serving students, for connecting with them, for listening to them, for constantly thinking about ways to make their college experience better and helping them to stay on track to complete their degree and graduate into fulfilling careers.”
“We share so many values,” said Rodriguez. “Both have roots dating to the 1840s and long histories dedicated to active opportunity and social progress. We both started out as pioneers of women’s education and today we both serve diverse populations and have worldwide reputations as champions of inclusiveness and social and economic mobility, and institutions that stand in service of the public good.”
Sánchez spoke of his vision for the future of Manhattanville and shared announcements on new initiatives including a partnership in Portugal to provide student internship opportunities, and a leadership training and scholarship program designed to cultivate the next generation of pioneering women leaders. He also announced a distinctive partnership that will enable Manhattanville to be the first American university to integrate advanced AI capabilities designed to prepare graduates for the dynamic demands of the global job market.
“Throughout our history and educational refinement, Manhattanville has always held close a powerful and compelling mission, intended to not just transform and elevate lives, but to transform and elevate our humanity,” said Sánchez.
“Let us now, together, lead a valiant vision and embrace, drive and realize a more prosperous, modern and next generation university,” Sánchez concluded.
For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, nonprofit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North.
Manhattanville has also been recognized by “U.S. News and World Report” for Ethic Diversity. The university has earned a designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, a recognition of its diverse student population. For more than six consecutive years, Manhattanville has been named to the Colleges of Distinction list which recognizes colleges that excel in student engagement, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes.
Latimer said: “Earning this distinction as a University is a clear indication of Manhattanville’s continued growth, leadership and forward-thinking momentum. As we also celebrate the inauguration of Frank D. Sánchez as Manhattanville’s first Latino president and the achievement of this transition, this is a new era of inclusivity and excellence that I know will have long-standing positive repercussions for the future of Westchester and our students.”
