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Former Tech Engineer Appointed Chancellor to the State University of New York

Kristen M. Johnson, a former U.S. Department of Energy undersecretary, is a strong proponent of women in leadership and in STEM fields.

(TNS) -- Kristina M. Johnson — an inventor, engineer and entrepreneur, as well as former undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Energy — is gearing up to take on the “highest honor” of her career: chancellor of The State University of New York.

 

“The State University of New York is a complex, captivating system like no other in higher education,” Ms. Johnson said in a statement Monday. “The opportunity to serve as its chancellor is the highest honor of my career.”

The State University of New York Board of Trustees announced Monday the appointment of Ms. Johnson as the 13th chancellor of SUNY, which serves 1.3 million students through its 64 institutions.

Ms. Johnson’s arrival will coincide with a convergence of the implementation of the governor’s tuition-free program at public colleges, commonly referred to as the Excelsior Scholarship, and a lower percentage of state funding in respect to operating costs compared with what they were a decade ago.

“I look forward to building on the excellent foundation for SUNY that Governor (Andrew M.) Cuomo, Chancellor (Nancy L.) Zimpher, and the board of trustees have developed in partnership with SUNY presidents, faculty, staff and students as well as the communities they serve in every region,” Ms. Johnson said.

Ms. Johnson, 59, is the founder and chief executive officer of Cube Hydro Partners, LLC, which develops hydroelectric generation facilities that provide clean energy to communities and businesses throughout the country.

In 2009, Johnson was appointed by President Barack Obama as undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Energy with the unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate.

In addition to her experience within the realm of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Ms. Johnson is a seasoned administrator and educator.

Ms. Johnson has served as Johns Hopkins University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University, and professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran said because of her previous experience, Ms. Johnson will bring a broad range of skills to her new position.

“Her background as a researcher, entrepreneur, educator, public servant and engineer will be an unbelievable asset to our system and our students,” Mr. Szafran said. “We look forward to working with her to build upon the successes SUNY Canton has achieved in developing new programs, championing campus diversity and inclusion, and fulfilling New York state’s need for graduates with applied skills, particularly in STEM disciplines.”

SUNY Potsdam President Kristen G. Esterberg welcomed Ms. Johnson in an email on Tuesday.

“SUNY Potsdam is delighted to welcome Dr. Kristina Johnson as the 13th chancellor of the SUNY system,” Ms. Esterberg said. “She is a distinguished scholar, public servant, inventor and entrepreneur. We look forward to working with her as we pursue SUNY’s commitment to excellence in higher education.”

Ms. Johnson has often been commended for being a strong proponent of women in leadership and in STEM fields.

Jessica Fischer, a junior studying mechanical engineering technology at SUNY Canton, said she’s excited the new chancellor represents her as a female engaged in STEM education.

“I am very excited SUNY has hired such an inspirational female innovator as the new chancellor,” said Ms. Fischer, who is the secretary of Society of Women Engineers at SUNY Canton. “Dr. Johnson has incredible leadership and exceptional engineering related experience in clean energy that parallels career interests of my own. I believe her introduction to SUNY will encourage more females to pursue STEM degree programs.”

Mrs. Zimpher, SUNY’s first female chancellor, will step down from the position in June 2017 after an eight-year term. Ms. Johnson’s appointment as chancellor will be effective Sept. 5 at an annual salary of $560,000. Interim leadership for the period between June and September will be appointed by the SUNY board at its June 21 meeting.

“In academia, she has brought stakeholder groups together to create and implement strategic vision crafted at the hands of many. On the national forefront, she successfully managed and uplifted our country’s most advanced energy research. And as a former faculty member turned entrepreneur, time and again she has bridged the gap between higher education and business to create programs that prepare students for in-demand careers,” Ms. Zimpher said in a statement. “The future of SUNY is indeed bright under the leadership of Ms. Johnson.”

©2017 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.