The City University of New York (CUNY) on Monday named Dr. S. David Wu the president of its Baruch College. Wu, who will assume office on July 1, will be the first Asian American leader of a CUNY college.
A scholar in systems engineering and operations research, Wu is currently the provost and executive vice president of George Mason University.
Following the appointment, Wu discussed his immigrant roots.
“As an immigrant, this speaks to me personally, and I am excited to play a part in shaping the next chapter of Baruch’s legacy,” Wu said to George Mason University’s newsletter, The George. He further told Diverse that he owes a debt to public higher education in the U.S. as “it has provided me with a kind of perspective and insight needed to succeed.”
Dr. Felix Matos Rodríguez, CUNY’s chancellor, also noted that Wu will be the first Asian American leader of a CUNY college. He said the institution is proud of “the historical significance of his appointment.”
Wu said he feels privileged to be the first Asian American college president in the CUNY system, especially because CUNY is so diverse. More than 75% of CUNY students are Latinx, Black or Asian. And 41% of Baruch’s total student enrollment is Asian or Pacific Islander.
Baruch’s president-elect said it’s important that there is a broad representation of communities, whether Asian American, Hispanic or Black, at a university’s leadership level.
