New York City, NY, USA: The City University of New York (CUNY) has announced the appointment of Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava as the interim president of Guttman Community College, effective September 1.
Before stepping into this role, Bhargava served as the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She brings with her more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership, law, and public policy, having worked at the federal, state, and city levels.
Bhargava, who is married to Indian American Neil Bhargava, has previously held senior positions in the White House, the New York State Executive Chamber, and the New York City Council. Throughout her career, she has championed initiatives promoting educational equity, workforce development, and greater economic opportunities.
Her appointment comes alongside two others within CUNY: Milton Santiago has been named interim leader at New York City College of Technology, while Natalie Gomez-Velez has been appointed at the CUNY School of Law.
CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez expressed confidence in the new leadership team, stating, "With these appointments, I believe City Tech, the School of Law, and Guttman are well positioned to move forward during this transitional period." He also praised Bhargava's long record of public service, noting that her background equips her to provide strong and steady guidance.
Bhargava, an alumna of Binghamton University and SUNY Buffalo School of Law, will guide Guttman until a permanent president is selected.
Sharing her enthusiasm for the role, she said, "I am truly honored to join Guttman Community College as interim president. As a first-generation college graduate and a proud beneficiary of New York's public higher education system, I feel privileged to be part of an institution with such a vital mission and commitment to student success."
She added that she looks forward to collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to foster a new generation of leaders who can pursue their aspirations and inspire others.
