Dear Members of the Board and MCNY Community,

What a banner month for MCNY!

I am especially pleased to share that Humphrey A. Crookendale, J.D., our Senior Advisor to the President for Administration, will receive the ICON Award at Schneps Media’s 2026 Bronx Power List on August 13.

As I shared recently, SA Crookendale has given more than four decades of his life to MCNY. He has taught and mentored generations of scholars, helped shape the academic foundation of this College, and has been a trusted colleague, advisor and friend to so many of us. As Humphrey begins this new chapter at MCNY, I cannot think of a more fitting word than ICON. This recognition is well deserved, and I am incredibly proud to see him celebrated in this way.

And he will be in very good MCNY company! This year’s Bronx Power List also includes Trustee Dawn M. Pinnock, President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS); David Ahmed Coulibaly, BA ’14, Director of Community Affairs and Disability Service Facilitator for Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson; and Paul Henderson, MPA ’99, longtime MCNY professor and Executive Director/Partner at Vertex LLC.

That gives MCNY four honorees on the Schneps Media Bronx Power List and brings our August recognitions to six, including Board Chair Gary P. Jenkins, MPA ’06, and Trustee Rev. Dr. Darlene Williams, BPS ’00, MPA ’04, who are being honored by City & State New York.

Six recognitions. One MCNY community. There is a lot to be proud of this August!

Please join me in congratulating Humphrey Crookendale and all of our honorees.

With great pride,
 
President Gibbs

MCNY’s Humphrey A. Crookendale to Receive ICON Award at 2026 Bronx Power List

Recognition comes as longtime MCNY academic leader begins a new chapter after more than four decades of service.

Augsut 11, 2026 – BRONX, N.Y. — Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) is proud to announce that Humphrey A. Crookendale, J.D., Senior Advisor to the President for Administration, will receive the ICON Award at Schneps Media’s 2026 Bronx Power List on August 13.

The ICON Award honors individuals whose influence has helped shape the region. For Mr. Crookendale, the distinction comes at a perfect time in a career that has spanned more than 40 years at MCNY. Mr. Crookendale recently concluded his tenure as Vice President for Academic Affairs. He continues to teach in the School for Public Affairs and Administration and has transitioned to the Office of the President, where he serves as Senior Advisor to the President for Administration.

“Humphrey Crookendale has dedicated a remarkable part of his life to Metropolitan College of New York,” said MCNY President Dr. Charles J. Gibbs. “He has been a professor, dean, vice president and mentor to generations of scholars. For me, he has also been a trusted friend and advisor whose wisdom and knowledge of this institution have been invaluable. The word ‘icon’ is fitting. Humphrey’s influence can be found throughout MCNY and in the lives and careers of the people he has taught and guided throughout New York, nationally and globally. I am very proud to see him receive this recognition.”

During his career at MCNY, Mr. Crookendale helped establish the College’s first graduate program in public administration and played a central role in developing the Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management. He also created and continues to lead MCNY’s Urban Dialogues series, which brings public officials, scholars and community voices together for candid conversations about issues facing New York City.

MCNY has even more to celebrate at this year’s Bronx Power List, with an unprecedented four members of the College community among the 2026 honorees. Joining Mr. Crookendale are MCNY Trustee Dawn M. Pinnock, President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS); David Ahmed Coulibaly, BA ’14, Director of Community Affairs and Disability Service Facilitator for Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson; and Paul Henderson, MPA ’99, longtime MCNY professor and Executive Director/Partner at Vertex LLC. Together, they make this year’s Bronx Power List a proud one for MCNY.

For over 20 years, Schneps Media’s Power Lists have celebrated people making a difference in business, government and civic life across the region.

The 2026 Bronx Power List will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Villa Barone Manor, 737 Throgs Neck Expressway in the Bronx.