PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT
F E A T U R E
Strength in Leadership
A look at Hank Foley’s legacy of growth, community, and innovation
By Renée Gearhart Levy
Shortly into his tenure as president of New York Institute of Technology, Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., convened a two-day seminar with the university’s Board of Trustees and laid out his vision and five-year strategic plan for where he wanted the school to be academically, financially, and in terms of other measures used to rank college and universities. His goal: to position New York Tech to create the best possible student experience and empower graduates to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern workforce successfully.
“He has stuck to that vision, and where we are now is very different than where we started when Hank first joined New York Tech,” says Peter J. Romano (B.Arch. ’76), chair of the Board of Trustees. “This includes higher retention and graduation rates, with students better prepared to achieve successful careers.”
In higher education, leadership can be the decisive factor between stagnation and growth. Few college presidents epitomize transformational change as distinctly as President Foley during his tenure. When he steps down as president on June 30, he leaves a legacy of significant academic advancement, enhanced student experiences, and strategic institutional growth.
President Foley joined New York Tech in 2017 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he spent two years as executive vice president for academic affairs, tasked with growing its academic and research expertise, before being appointed interim chancellor in November 2015. Prior to that, he served as vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at Pennsylvania State University. Those experiences, as well as his own academic record—he’s a chemist who holds 16 patents—made him well-suited to guide the technology-driven institution to a new level.
By nearly every measure, New York Tech is a stronger institution: The university increased its enrollment, improved its national rankings, nearly doubled its endowment, upgraded facilities, enhanced academic programs, and substantially increased research activity.
But it’s President Foley’s open nature and transparency with students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees—in addition to his caring personality—that has created a new sense of community at New York Tech.
“He has such a passion for the school,” says Romano. “That translates every day to what he does and how he interacts with faculty, staff, administration, the board, and students. He doesn’t put himself in an ivory tower as the president and CEO. He is very much the guy walking around, wanting to hear what kids are saying about the school, and how to make it better.”
“There’s been a clear shift toward stronger student engagement, inclusivity, and collaboration,” adds Keerthi Kapavarapu, a computer science student and president of the Student Government Association for the New York City campus. “From enhanced support for student-led initiatives to improved communication between administration and the student body, the campus community feels more connected than ever.”
Developing university communities that would instill a sense of pride was at the top of President Foley’s agenda when he joined New York Tech in 2017. “By improving the quality of our programs and facilities, we have brought the students to a point of pride in the kind of school that we are, the education they are receiving here, and the return on their investment,” he says. “We’ve done the same for the faculty—we’ve made them proud to be part of the school and our mission to serve our particular student body.”
“From enhanced support for student-led initiatives to improved communication between administration and the student body, the campus community feels more connected than ever.” –Keerti Kapavarapu, president of the New York City Student Government Association
Enhancing the Student Experience
Perhaps the most immediately felt impact of President Foley’s leadership has been his relentless commitment to improving every experience students have at New York Tech, both in and out of the classroom.
“President Foley is deeply, deeply concerned about students, their welfare, and the education they receive,” says Romano. “As a result, the institution has become very student centered. Every decision we make, from whether we’re going to increase tuition or renovate a building or build a new program, it’s always with what’s best for the student in mind.”
Tiffani Hinds, M.Ed., associate provost for student engagement, describes President Foley as a “true champion for student success,” emphasizing that his leadership supported the creation of programs that directly assist New York Tech’s student body—many of whom are first in their families to attend college, international or first-generation American, or come from low-income backgrounds.
The Bear Bytes initiative provides food and other health and wellness resources and information to students at both New York campuses. Since 2020, that has included the Grizzly Cupboard, which provides students with food and wellness items, including perishable foods at no charge, to combat food insecurity. In 2023 alone, the two Grizzly Cupboards distributed the equivalent of 9,000 meals.
Another new program, Tech Threads, is essentially a professional closet that provides students on the New York campuses with no-cost access to new and gently used professional clothing and accessories. The program launched last year to remove financial constraints that may prevent students from pursuing internships and other employment opportunities.
New York Tech has also opened residence halls on both the Long Island and New York City campuses, providing much-needed housing for international students while helping to create community in the process. “Students are very, very grateful… we’re removing barriers to their success,” says Hinds.
She credits President Foley for being a cheerleader for those efforts. “He encourages innovation and the ability for folks to take initiative if they see a need, particularly on behalf of students,” she says. “When you’re in an environment like that, it’s a motivator. That’s the atmosphere he’s built, and I think it permeates everything.”
Students feel that, too. “As a student leader, I’ve seen firsthand how students are now encouraged to take initiative, voice their ideas, and shape the future of our university experience,” says Kapavarapu. “That’s something I truly value.”
That, too, can be quantified. In 2017, there were 80 student organizations at New York Tech. Today, there are 105. “Every year, the student government comes to me and says, ‘We need more money.’ And I keep saying, ‘Give it to them,’” says President Foley. “It’s the best investment we can make.”
“When you’re in an environment like that, it’s a motivator. That’s the atmosphere he’s built, and I think it permeates everything.” –Tiffani Hinds, M.Ed., associate provost for student engagement
Building for Research
Like many colleges across the country, New York Tech had long made tight budgets work by cutting back on building maintenance or upgrades. “The problem is that, over time, infrastructure needs attention,” says President Foley. “It became apparent that it was a priority to invest in infrastructure.”
During his tenure, New York Tech has accomplished significant campus development, including new indoor and outdoor gathering spaces for students; the construction and opening of the Biomedical Research, Innovation, and Imaging Center (BRIIC), a 20,000-square-foot research facility with collaborative laboratories and advanced imaging equipment (see “BRIIC by BRIIC”); a renovation of medical school facilities in the Hannah and Charles Serota Academic Center; renovations to the New York City campus, including common areas, a café, and engineering, biology, and chemistry laboratories; and a unified campus expansion of New York Tech’s Vancouver campus (see “Making Big Moves” in the spring 2023 issue).
The upgraded facilities are an important component of another of President Foley’s ambitious goals, positioning New York Tech to achieve Carnegie-classified Research 2 (R2) university status by 2028. “R2 is a nice balance because it preserves the teaching mission while adding the research enterprise,” says President Foley. “Particularly at the nexus of the sciences, engineering, and medicine, we’re in a very strong position to grow research and we’re doing everything we can to drive that forward,” he says.
Hank and Karin Foley PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT
President Foley meets with attendees at the grand opening ceremony for the BRIIC.
Under President Foley, New York Tech began its first Ph.D. programs, including the D.O./Ph.D. in osteopathic medicine and biological sciences and doctoral programs in engineering, computer science, and chemistry. A doctoral program in anatomy is in the works.
President Foley’s vision also led to the creation of prestigious faculty ranks such as University Professor and Distinguished Professor, enhancing the university’s appeal to leading educators and researchers worldwide.
Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Balentine, D.O., describes these efforts as a critical pivot. “President Foley fundamentally shifted New York Tech into a new way of looking at higher education,” he says. “Additional support for research allows us to attract more research-oriented faculty and to support the interests of students in research.”
But research isn’t the only academic focus area. Recognizing the synergy between faculty innovation and student entrepreneurship, President Foley has worked to create a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish. Embracing New York Tech’s identity as a “doer, maker, innovator, and healer” institution, he has championed efforts to elevate the university’s entrepreneurial culture. For example, he was fully supportive of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences establishing a technology incubator space, which is housed in the Digital Ballpark in Plainview, N.Y.
“I think these efforts not only enhance our reputation as Long Island’s technology university but also help equip students with practical tools and experiences critical in today’s economy,” says President Foley.
Institutional Expansion and Alumni Engagement
The strategic expansion of New York Tech has also extended to the Board of Trustees and the board’s level of engagement.
President Foley strategically sought out individuals, particularly alumni, who were already involved with different schools, colleges, or programs at New York Tech and recruited them to the Board of Trustees, attempting to diversify the board in the process.
Alumni board members appointed include Humayun “Hank” Chaudhry (D.O. ’91) and Deborah Verderame (B.Arch. ’83) appointed in 2025; John R. Keville (B.S. ’88), Thomas J. Van Laan (M.B.A. ’84), and Debra A. Vogel (A.A.S. ’85) appointed in 2023; Patrick O’Shaughnessy (D.O. ’99) appointed in 2021; and Ted Moudis (B.S. ’80) appointed in 2017. In addition, Romano was appointed as chair and Daniel Ferrara (D.O. ’86) as vice chair in 2021.
“Alumni have a different affinity and affection for the university,” says Romano. “We make decisions from the heart as well as our own direct experiences with the school or college we attended.”
That’s not to diminish the contributions of non-alumni who bring valuable professional experiences to the board. Andrew Berner, president of Jonesboro, Ark.-based Jetton General Contracting, became a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University after funding the school’s Gregory William Berner Scholarship to honor the medical treatment his late father had received. Berner was appointed to the university’s Board of Trustees in 2021.
“Hank Foley has raised the standard for almost every area of the university,” says Berner. “And he’s raised the standard at which we execute under his leadership. He wants to make sure that everybody on that board is strategically involved in the decision-making process for the university.”
Leadership and Lasting Legacy
Similarly, Hinds describes President Foley’s leadership as characterized by openness, transparency, and genuine care for the institution and its constituents. “The students know they have a gem in this president,” she says. “He’s genuinely interested in what they have to say and challenges them to think outside the box. He has a unique ability to relate to the student experience.”
President Foley meets with students. PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT
Balentine echoes President Foley’s approachable nature and direct engagement with students and faculty alike, contributing greatly to a sense of shared mission and collaborative spirit across the university. “He brought the notion that leaders can be personable and approachable,” he says.
As President Foley transitions to the role of president emeritus—a title bestowed by the board—he hopes to mentor students and faculty, work on special projects, and perhaps write another book. “As much as I love to teach, I also want to have the freedom for my wife and I to travel,” he says. “I want to be able to pursue what she wants to pursue.”
“As I prepare for this next stage, I do so with a sense of optimism and excitement for the bright future that lies ahead for New York Tech.” –President Hank Foley
Balentine, who will assume the role of president on July 1, has served as New York Tech’s provost and executive vice president since 2022. Undoubtedly, he inherits a university thriving with innovation and a clear path toward greater academic prominence. The Foley presidency was not merely a chapter in New York Tech history, but a transformative era poised to influence generations of doers, makers, innovators, and healers.
“As I prepare for this next stage, I do so with a sense of optimism and excitement for the bright future that lies ahead for New York Tech,” says President Foley. “I have no doubt that this institution, powered by the passion and potential of its community—and under Dr. Balentine’s leadership—will continue to thrive and reach new heights. The best is yet to come.”
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