Office of the President

Dr. Timothy G. Lynch became President of the College of Staten Island (CSI) in July 2023 with a clear goal: to make CSI a college for the entire community—a place that offers access to transformational educational opportunities, supports workforce development, encourages civic engagement, and leads in sustainability.

His strategic priorities, outlined in the College’s Strategic Plan: Bridge to Success, 2025-2030, include increasing enrollment and student success, strengthening the financial health of the institution, and advancing partnerships that support regional economic growth. Dr. Lynch is committed to nurturing a campus where everyone feels welcome, creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity and values of the community CSI serves.

 Before coming to CSI, Dr. Lynch held several leadership roles in higher education. He was Chief Academic Officer (and interim president) at Queensborough Community College (CUNY), Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at SUNY Maritime College, and he was a professor at the California State University Maritime Academy. He also served as CSI’s Interim President for 18 months before taking on the role permanently.

His leadership has been recognized widely. In 2025, he received the Community Voice Award at the Non-Profit Staten Island “Rooted and Rising” Conference for his work promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The same year, he was honored at the 2025 Kavod Circle for fostering a campus environment that is warm and welcoming. For three years in a row, City & State New York named him to Staten Island’s Power 100 for his efforts in advancing renewable energy projects and workforce training. Dr. Lynch was named to the Board of Trustees of both the Museum of Disability History at The Viscardi Center and the National Lighthouse Museum.

Under his guidance, the institution has also earned national attention: 

• Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Value Colleges and among the Top 25 Colleges with the Highest Payoff; recognized by Washington Monthly as one of the best bang-for-the-buck colleges in the Northeast; 
• Classified by Carnegie as one of the nation’s leading Research Colleges and Universities; 
• Ranked by U.S. News & World Report for social mobility and as a Top Public School in the Regional North; 
• Included in Newsweek’s first list of America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026; 
• Earned AACSB International accreditation for the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business, a top honor in business education; 
• Consistently designated a Military Friendly® school by Viqtory Media for its strong support of veterans and military-connected students; 
• Featured on lists for affordability and student opportunity by Best Value Schools. 

A native New Yorker and first-generation college student, Dr. Lynch earned degrees from Brooklyn College and The Graduate Center, CUNY. An award-winning historian, his research focuses on immigration, ethnicity, and America’s relationship with the sea. Drawing from his scholarship and commitment to educational opportunity, Dr. Lynch is determined to make sure CSI not only remains a beacon of opportunity and innovation but grows into a national example of access, excellence, and impact for generations to come.