Jim Malatras Explained

Jim Malatras
Order:14th
Chancellor of the
State University of New York
Term End:January 14, 2022
Predecessor:Kristina M. Johnson
Successor:Deborah F. Stanley (interim)
Order1:5th
Title1:President of Empire State College
Predecessor1:Merodie A. Hancock
Mitchell Nesler (acting)
Successor1:Beth Berlin (acting)
Birth Place:Westwood, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma Mater:University at Albany (BA, MA, PhD)
Blank1:Institutions
Data1:University at Albany, SUNY
Rockefeller Institute of Government
State University of New York
Website:Official website
Module:
Child:yes
Thesis Title:A tale of two movements: Collective legal consciousness: Producing and employing the law
Thesis Url:https://search.proquest.com/docview/304384304/
Thesis Year:2008
Doctoral Advisor:Scott Barclay
Academic Advisors:Sally Friedman

James J. Malatras (born 1977)[1] is an American government official and university administrator who was the Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) system from August 2020 until his resignation in January 2022.

Malatras received his Ph.D from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy and subsequently worked as a policy advisor in the Governor Andrew Cuomo administration until his appointment as chancellor of SUNY. On December 9. 2021, Jim Malatras released his statement for resignation as SUNY's Chancellor effective January 14, 2022. In 2017, Malatras was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.[2]

Early life and education

Malatras was born in Westwood, New Jersey and grew up in the Lower Hudson Valley region of New York. Graduating from the Ellenville Central School District.[3] [4] He studied at the University at Albany, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in political science. He then worked as a staff member for Assemblymember Richard L. Brodsky from 2000 to 2007.[5] During that time, he earned a Ph.D. from Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy.[6] [7]

State government and SUNY

In 2007, he became a policy advisor for then-Attorney General of New York Andrew Cuomo. Following Cuomo's election as Governor of New York, Malatras was executive director of the New NY Education Reform Commission from 2012 to 2014. In July 2013, he became Vice Chancellor for Policy and Chief of Staff under then-SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, remaining in that role until August 2014. After leaving SUNY System Administration, he rejoined the Cuomo administration as director of state operations, serving until his appointment in 2017 as President of the Rockefeller Institute of Government, a SUNY-affiliated think tank.[8]

In spring 2019, SUNY's board of trustees appointed Malatras as president of Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, New York. While president, he remained at the Rockefeller Institute as chair of the board of advisors. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Governor Cuomo appointed Malatras to chair the Reimagine Education Advisory Council, which consisted of education leaders from across the state.[9]

Appointment as SUNY chancellor

On August 21, 2020, SUNY's board of trustees voted to name Malatras as the 14th chancellor of SUNY, effective August 31.[10] [11] He succeeded Kristina M. Johnson, who left to become President of the Ohio State University.[12] [13] and Cary Staller, both of whom disagreed with the lack of a national search. The two nonvoting members of the board, University Faculty Senate president Gwen Kay and Faculty Council of Community Colleges president Christy Fogal, announced in a joint statement that their respective organizations will vote on a motion of no confidence in the politically-appointed trustees who had voted in favor of the appointment.[14]

SUNY Chancellor (2020-2022)

On June 17, 2021, Malatras approved pay raises for State University of New York Upstate Medical University nurses commending their resiliency during the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase is slated to be between $2,000 and $3,500 more per year in a deal negotiated between the university and union ultimately approved by Malatras.[15]

After less than two years into the job, Malatras announced in December 2021 that he would resign amid furor over inappropriate private texts to friends, as well as comments he had made about a female colleague in 2019.[16] [17] On December 20, 2021, Deborah F. Stanley was appointed the Chancellor on interim basis.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Spector. Joseph. Jim Malatras named SUNY chancellor. 2020-08-21. Democrat and Chronicle. en-US.
  2. Web site: Incorporated . Prime . National Academy of Public Administration . 2023-04-17 . National Academy of Public Administration . en.
  3. Web site: Gormley. Michael. 2020-08-30. Cuomo aide picked to run SUNY draws criticism and optimism. 2020-08-31. Newsday. en.
  4. News: Seiler. Casey. 2014-12-30. For Malatras, a second tour of duty. 2020-08-24. Times Union. en-US.
  5. Web site: Mahoney. Bill. Richard Brodsky, the Legislature's brashest champion. 2020-08-21. Politico PRO. 8 April 2020 . en.
  6. News: Karlin. Rick. 2019-05-08. Longtime Cuomo aide James Malatras to head Empire State College. 2020-08-21. Times Union. en-US.
  7. A tale of two movements: Collective legal consciousness: Producing and employing the law . 2008 . State University of New York at Albany . Ph.D. . Malatras . James J. . . 690899801.
  8. Web site: Seiler. Casey. February 13. senior news editor on. PM. 2017 at 7:04. 2017-02-14. Call him Dr. Malatras: Former state ops director lands at Rockefeller Institute. 2020-08-21. Capitol Confidential. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2020-05-08. Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Members of the Reimagine Education Advisory Council. 2020-08-21. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. en.
  10. Liapis . Holly . SUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Dr. Jim Malatras as the 14th Chancellor; Becomes First SUNY Graduate to Lead SUNY . 25 August 2022 . . August 21, 2020.
  11. Web site: Hogan. Bernadette. Hicks. Nolan. 2020-08-21. Gov. Cuomo's right-hand man Jim Malatras appointed SUNY chancellor. 2020-08-21. New York Post. en-US.
  12. Web site: 2020-06-03. Kristina M. Johnson approved as next University President. 2020-08-21. The Lantern. en-US.
  13. Web site: 2020-08-21. SUNY Student Assembly on Twitter: "The Student Assembly's response to the new Chancellor Appointment.". 2020-08-21. Twitter. en.
  14. News: McKinley. Edward. 2020-08-21. Malatras named SUNY chancellor as faculty votes no confidence in board. 2020-08-21. Times Union. en-US.
  15. Web site: SUNY Chancellor approves pay raises for Upstate nurses, making hospital more competitive with St. Joe's and Crouse. 17 June 2021.
  16. News: Whitford . Emma . SUNY chancellor Jim Malatras resigns amid criticism . 21 December 2021 . . December 10, 2021 . en.
  17. News: Mulder . James T. . SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras resigns amid furor over inappropriate texts, comments . 21 December 2021 . . 9 December 2021 . en.
  18. Web site: State University of New York Board of Trustees Appoints Deborah F. Stanley as Interim Chancellor. 2021-12-20. sites.newpaltz.edu/news. en. 2021-12-21.