Office of the President

The Office of the President fosters student success by providing strategic vision, leadership, and support to the College’s diverse stakeholders.

Biography

Claudia V. Schrader, MA, Ed.M., EdD

Claudia V. Schrader is the eighth president of York College, City University of New York (CUNY), assuming the role in 2025 after serving as interim president. With over two decades at CUNY, Dr. Schrader has been a leader across four CUNY campuses.

Since taking office, Dr. Schrader has launched strategic initiatives to enhance student success, increase the College’s visibility, and community engagement. She has overseen key campus improvements and established the York Opportunity Network (YON) to empower pre-college youth and build partnerships. Under her leadership, York’s launch of its new Workforce Development and Continuing Education program is on track. She also initiated York’s Strategic Planning and Middle States Self-Study processes.

York College now serves about 6,200 students and was ranked No. 24 by Newsweek among America’s Best Colleges for Women, underlining its inclusive and supportive environment.

Her leadership has garnered honors such as the Phoenix Empowerment Award, Dr. Lenore R. Gall Award, Women’s Empowerment Award, and the Alumni Award from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Dr. Schrader is known for her student-centered approach. Her “Welcome Wagon” initiative, launched during the pandemic and expanded to York College, personally connects with new students and has boosted enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. The program has been featured in major media outlets.

Previously, Dr. Schrader held leadership roles at Bronx Community College, Medgar Evers College, and William Paterson University, and was the first African American president of Kingsborough Community College.

Dedicated to service, Dr. Schrader serves as a Peer Evaluator for the Middle States Commission, co-chairs the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council Education Committee, and is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. For over 20 years, she has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building homes worldwide.