NYC Gazette

City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez will serve as the next chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Board of Directors, leading an organization that has addressed higher education challenges and fostered collaboration among its members for over a century.

“Chancellor Matos Rodríguez is a creative and inspirational leader who is committed to ensuring that CUNY students have access to a high-quality education,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “It’s never been more important for campus leaders to confront the many challenges facing our institutions of higher education and our country. I deeply appreciate his willingness to take on this national leadership role in service to ACE and the entire higher education community.”

CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. expressed support: “Congratulations to Chancellor Matos Rodríguez on being named board chair of ACE. Felo has proven to be a passionate supporter of higher education over his many years at CUNY as a professor, a community college president, a four-year college president, and now as the Chancellor.”

“I am privileged to have been able to serve in several fulfilling roles with ACE, and excited by the opportunity to serve as its next board chair,” said Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “I share the desire to unite and connect those working in higher education since this type of creative collaboration is what makes true change possible.”

Founded in 1918, ACE serves as the major coordinating body for colleges and universities across the United States, representing more than 1,600 institutions.

Matos Rodríguez has served as CUNY chancellor since May 2019, overseeing 25 colleges with an enrollment exceeding 233,000 students and an operating budget of $4.1 billion. He is noted for being both the first educator of color and first Latino in this role at CUNY.

His tenure focuses on championing student equity across CUNY’s system, emphasizing career pipelines through partnerships like the New York Jobs CEO Council and CUNY Futures in Finance.

He previously served three terms on the ACE board, including one term as vice-chair. In 2020 he was part of ACE’s task force focused on improving credit transfer practices.

During his leadership at CUNY, tuition remains among the most affordable nationwide. The University ended policies restricting transcript release due to unpaid fees and initiated debt forgiveness programs like CUNY Comeback during the pandemic.

Matos Rodríguez has also prioritized expanding online degree programs with aims to double offerings by 2030 while increasing private fundraising efforts significantly.

Chancellor Matos Rodríguez holds memberships with several prestigious organizations including the Academy of Arts and Sciences and serves on various boards such as United Way of New York City.

The City University of New York is recognized as a transformative engine for social mobility within New York City since its founding in 1847. Serving over 225,000 students annually across multiple campuses, it remains dedicated to providing quality public education regardless of financial means or background.