The State University of New York at Albany has tapped Dr. Havidán Rodríguez to lead the institution. The prominent university administrator becomes the first Hispanic president of any SUNY four-year college.
Rodríguez, 58, currently is the founding provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. He will begin his new post in mid-September.
“I am honored and privileged to have been chosen to serve as the University at Albany’s next president,” Rodríguez said. “UAlbany has an outstanding reputation among the nation’s research universities.”
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo made the announcement along with the SUNY Board of Trustees.
“With experience and expertise in areas that directly parallel the University at Albany’s own strengths and focus, it seems as though Dr. Rodríguez’s esteemed career has been pointing him in SUNY’s direction all along,” said SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall.
Michael J. Castellana, chairman of the presidential search committee, said that Rodriguez’s background and skills made him the preferred candidate.
“Naming the next president of the University at Albany is critical to ensuring the continued advancement of this great institution. But it is also one of the most important hires for our entire region,” Castellana said. “I am very confident that Dr. Havidán Rodríguez is the person who will take the university and the Capital Region to new heights.”
