New Trustees Bring Expertise Across Sectors to Help Guide the College’s Next Chapter of Growth and Equity

July 21, 2025, New York, NY — Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) proudly announces the appointment of five distinguished leaders to its Board of Trustees. These individuals bring exceptional expertise and a shared commitment to the College’s mission of advancing Purpose-Centered Education that fosters social justice, equity, and transformative change in communities across New York and beyond.

“We are honored to welcome these visionary leaders to our Board of Trustees,” said Gary P. Jenkins, Chair of the Board and MPA Alumnus (Class of 2006). “Their collective experience across sectors—including education, government, behavioral health, technology, and philanthropy—will be instrumental in guiding MCNY as we continue to educate and empower scholars to become agents of change.”

Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, President of Metropolitan College of New York, added, “The addition of these exceptional individuals to our Board strengthens MCNY’s commitment to innovation, access, and equity in higher education. Their diverse leadership experience and dedication to service will help us continue building a college that transforms our students’ lives and uplifts entire communities. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and look forward to the strategic insight they will bring.”

(In order of appearance: Dr. Nichole L. Flores, Dr. Richard L. Lucas, Jr., Dawn M. Pinnock, Dr. L’Tanya Spinelli and Dr. J. Fidel Turner, Jr)

New Trustee Appointments

Dr. Nichole L. Flores is a licensed, board-certified psychologist and educator with expertise in trauma-informed care, crisis response, and multicultural counseling. She has held leadership positions across the mental health, higher education, and correctional systems. A former Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Department of Corrections, Dr. Flores earned her Psy.D. and M.S. from Hofstra University and holds additional graduate degrees from Touro College and Howard University. She has led both national and international mental health and academic initiatives.

Dr. Richard L. Lucas, Jr. serves as Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director of the University of the District of Columbia Foundation. With more than 25 years of leadership in fundraising, philanthropy, and institutional advancement, he has worked across the nonprofit, education, and foundation sectors. Dr. Lucas is a CASE Award recipient and an alumnus of Leadership Maryland and the Millennium Leadership Initiative. He holds a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo and executive certificates from Cornell University and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Dawn M. Pinnock currently serves as President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), one of New York’s premier providers of supportive housing and health services. She previously served as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Ms. Pinnock earned an M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis from The New School and a B.B.A. in Marketing from Baruch College. She completed executive education at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Dr. L’Tanya Spinelli is Head of K–12 Education for the Northeast and National Strategist at T-Mobile, where she leads efforts to leverage AI and 5G technology to bridge the digital divide and improve student outcomes. She is also President and CEO of The ED-TECH Group, a consultancy focused on education innovation and equity. Dr. Spinelli holds an Ed.D. and Ed.S. from Clark Atlanta University, degrees from UNC Wilmington, and certification in Cybersecurity and AI from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr. J. Fidel Turner, Jr., is Dean of the School of Education at Clark Atlanta University and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Clark Atlanta University, an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Turner has served in academic roles at Howard, George Washington, and Johns Hopkins Universities. His research centers on counselor education, academic persistence, and support for underserved student populations.

These appointments reflect the College’s continued commitment to academic excellence, leadership in urban education, and the cultivation of a Board that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the communities MCNY serves.

For more information, please contact: Tina Georgiou, tgeorgiou@mcny.edu, (212) 343-1234

About Metropolitan College of New York

For over 60 years, Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) has maintained a tradition of offering highly motivated adult learners an education that combines applied skills with professional knowledge, fostering personal transformation and positive change in workplaces and communities. MCNY is a private, nonprofit college accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Recognized as both a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), MCNY is dedicated to serving a significant percentage of students of color, particularly from underrepresented communities.

Founded in 1964 by Audrey Cohen, an educational visionary and activist, MCNY’s mission has remained steadfast, emphasizing Purpose-Centered Education to empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals.

MCNY Locations:
Manhattan Campus: 60 West Street, New York, NY 10006
Bronx Campus: 463 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10455

For more information, visit mcny.edu or call 212.343.1234