Dr. Nathalia G. Holtzman is the Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Staten Island. As the College’s chief academic officer, she oversees curriculum, academic policy, faculty development, and initiatives that promote student success.
Her priorities include strengthening faculty through grant-writing assistance, research support, and teaching development via the Center for Teaching and Professional Development, while advancing student achievement through advising, academic support, and experiential learning. This dual commitment has been reflected in her leadership of projects supported by federal agencies such as the DOE, NSF, and NIH, as well as private donors, which have expanded opportunities for students while enhancing faculty professional development.
Dr. Holtzman has served in a variety of academic leadership roles, including Department Chair, Deputy Executive Officer at the CUNY Graduate Center, and Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. A developmental biologist, her research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of heart development and the effects of environmental toxins on embryonic systems. She has published widely, presented internationally, and mentored undergraduate and graduate researchers.
With more than two decades at CUNY, Dr. Holtzman previously served as Associate Provost at Queens College, where she led initiatives in student success, transfer pathways, and experiential learning. She earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Oregon and an Honors Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics with High Distinction from the University of Toronto.