Two new Regents appointed

By Diane S. Ward
Governmental Relations Representative

A Long Island University professor who once worked for the State Education Department (SED) and a Harvard-educated administrator who spent 13 years with the New York City school system were elected to the Board of Regents during a joint session of the Legislature.

Lester W. Young, a product of New York City public schools will fill a Regent-At Large seat that became vacant when Vice Chancellor Adelaide Sanford resigned last year. Young has held positions of teacher, guidance counselor, supervisor of special education services, principal and community schools superintendent in Brooklyn.  Dr. Young served as an associate commissioner at SED for five years. He holds doctorate in education from Fordham University.

Betty Rosa will fill the Regents position from the 12th Judicial District in the Bronx that was held by Natalie Gomez-Velez who did not seek reelection. Rosa was named Superintendent of the Year by Mercy College in 1999 and honored as an “outstanding educator” by the New York State Assembly. She holds a doctoral degree in education from Harvard University. 

Regent Geraldine Chapey, a professor at the City University of New York who served on the New York City Board of Education, was reelected to another five-year term as a Regent. She was first elected to the board to represent the 11th Judicial District in Queens County in 1998. A former administrator in New York City schools, she holds a doctorate from Fordham University.

The 16-member panel will be expanding to 17 members next year when Chapter 690 of the Laws of 2007 goes into effect. The law creates a 13th Judicial District comprised solely of Staten Island in Richmond County.