From President Frank H. Wu:

I am pleased to share an update with you about staffing developments in the Office of the President. These changes, including the filling of vacancies and an internal promotion, are focused on further strengthening and modernizing services provided to the college community.

Effective March 13, Desirae Colvin will fill the vacant position of chief of staff. Effective January 30, Stacey A. Romano was promoted to serve as the director of the President's Office and Dhanya Bell joined us in the position of operations manager. The operations manager position has been established in response to requests from members of the college community for a staff member to whom operational matters could be effectively addressed as warranted.

Desirae comes to Queens College from Fordham University, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, where she has been serving as director of Administration, Communication, and Strategic Initiatives since September 2021. Prior to that, she was at The New School where she was senior director and then assistant provost for curriculum development.

In the role of chief of staff, Desirae will oversee and ensure completion of Cabinet and President's Council action items; serve as the primary contact for stakeholders and college partners and as the president's representative at internal and external meetings; liaison with CUNY's central office and advise college personnel regarding the development of annual college performance goals and targets, the college's year-end report, the performance management process, and other programs and initiatives assigned by the president; work alongside deans and department heads to implement and track progress related to the college's Strategic Plan; oversee the administrative and strategic planning of Public Safety and Athletics; as well as other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

I would like to thank Vice President for Communications and Marketing & Senior Advisor to the President Jay Hershenson for chairing the search committee for the position of chief of staff, as well as committee members Interim General Counsel Judith Massis-Sanchez and Associate Dean and Chief Librarian Simone Yearwood. Finalists for the position interviewed with two panels which consisted of students, faculty, and staff, and I offer my gratitude to them as well for participating in this process.

Stacey A. Romano has served Queens College as confidential executive assistant to the president since September 2021. In this position, she was responsible for financial matters, including the management of presidential accounts and budgets in accordance with college guidelines and priorities; planned, developed, and executed presidential events; and participated as a member of my cabinet to ensure effective communication, among other responsibilities. Prior to joining Queens College, Stacey worked as executive assistant to the CFO/president of the JetBlue Foundation and as a confidential executive associate to the president of Hunter College. Before transitioning to the field of higher education, Stacey worked as a production assistant for HBO.

In her new role, Stacey will manage the day-to-day activities of the office and supervise office staff, oversee the college's event planning office, develop and implement departmental policies and procedures, and oversee special projects and administrative initiatives. You can reach Stacey at stacey.romano@qc.cuny.edu.

Dhanya Bell has been a staff member of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) for the past six years. Dhanya joined Queens College as an administrative executive coordinator in August 2016 and has been serving as IT chief of staff since January 2020. In this role, Dhanya directed a strategic planning committee, developed a technology strategic plan, set department goals, and increased efficiency by streamlining processes, among many other accomplishments. Prior to joining Queens College, Dhanya worked as a student services coordinator at Adelphi University.

In her new role, Dhanya will organize, lead, and help execute institutional projects and initiatives. As she did at ITS, Dhanya will work closely with vice presidents, deans, directors, department chairs, faculty, staff, and students to identify and resolve campuswide operational issues. You can reach Dhanya at dhanya.bell@qc.cuny.edu. 

As an important part of their responsibilities, members of the President's Office team will be conducting a listening tour with campus constituencies in the early spring, in coordination with my cabinet. This will help us to efficiently address ongoing campus needs as well as those matters requiring the involvement of departments, multiple offices, and programs. 

Please join me in wishing Desirae, Stacey, and Dhanya great success in their new positions.