“We believe that partnerships and signature programs, such as the St. John Fisher Ed.D., offer limitless opportunities for growth at The College of New Rochelle. They build on CNR’s solid reputation as an academic leader, and, as importantly, leverage us for promising 21st century innovations.” Ronald D. Valenti, Ph.D.                           Director College and District Partnerships The College of New Rochelle

Tell us a little about yourself.  What is your professional background?

I’m a Westchester resident since 1980, living in Rye Brook with my wife Eileen, a Special Educator at Southern BOCES.  I have two children, Darrell, a dentist in Mamaroneck, and Daniell, a math teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in New York City.

For the past 28 years, I’ve been a superintendent of schools in Blind Brook (13), Harrison (10), Valley Stream High School District (3) and Smithtown (2).  Prior to leading schools, I served as associate superintendent and high school principal in Poughkeepsie (5 years) and as a director of a federal program with the central administration in New Rochelle’s public schools (2 years). I hold a Ph.D. from New York University.

What is your position here at The College of New Rochelle? 

Originally, I was appointed Assistant Dean, Graduate Education, in October to manage CNR’s co-sponsored programs. Since then my position has expanded to include developing partnerships with BOCES, the Catholic Diocesan schools, Lutheran Network, community colleges and business/corporations for The College of New Rochelle four schools. In addition, in my new role as Director of College and District Partnerships, I am the liaison between the CNR and SJFC’s Executive Leadership program.

I had been an adjunct professor at CNR since 1973 in the Educational Leadership Master’s Program. 

What are your responsibilities?

My responsibilities require working with the deans of the four schools in order to develop professional development opportunities and graduate programs at partnership sites supported by public, parochial, and private schools/districts.

Do you teach now at the College?

I have taught in the Ed leadership program in the graduate school for many years. My expertise is organizational leadership, finance and research methodology.  I have been invited by St. John Fisher to teach in their doctorate program on the CNR campus.

Tell us about the new program with St. John Fisher?

The St. John Fisher Executive Leadership Doctorate is a 60-credit program, offered in an accelerated cohort model that already has three years of success in Rochester, NY   Candidates work on their dissertation while completing their courses and are assured of success through an aggressive mentoring/support structure. Their research is field-based and geared to improving the schools, hospitals, medical facilities, corporations, and government entities from which we will be recruiting them for this Executive Leadership opportunity. 

Will there by more programs like this for the College?

We believe that partnership and signature programs, like the Ed.D., offer limitless opportunities for growth at The College of New Rochelle. They build on CNR’s current reputation as an academic leader and leverage us for exciting 21st century innovations in higher education, specifically, and pre-K-16 education generally.

We are currently developing relationships with the Brooklyn Diocese that could result in unique professional development offerings, as well as attracting students to our School of Arts & Sciences by replicating our Math Day for Girls. We’re establishing a relationship with Northern BOCES to have our graduate Literacy faculty mount a master’s on their campus and formulate a Professional Lab school for research at their K-12 Walden School. We are pursuing with Southern BOCES a program for regional career/technical teachers that, if successful, could involve of School of Arts & Sciences and School of New Resources. We are looking to establish close relationships with the Yonkers and Mt. Vernon school districts to examine and research critical challenges in urban schooling.

What do you like best about your job?

I like best the creative challenges of marketing The College of New Rochelle brand and growing programs that benefit our students and communities.