St. Joseph’s University, New York, proudly announces that its president, Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., has been honored as a Power Player in Education by PoliticsNY and one of the Top 100 Long Islanders by Long Island Business News.
The PoliticsNY and amNY 2025 Power Players in Education list highlights influential figures across New York who are shaping the state’s education system and preparing the next generation for success. Similarly, Long Island Business News’ Top 100 Long Islanders celebrates individuals dedicated to making Long Island a vibrant place to live and work, recognizing their ongoing commitment to community and civic engagement.
“I am extremely grateful for this honor and for the opportunity to represent St. Joseph’s University, New York,” said SJNY President Boomgaarden. “At St. Joseph’s, we are committed to ensuring that our students graduate with the tools they need to achieve successful outcomes. We are proud of the work we do at SJNY, and proud to be named on these lists among peers who are also preparing the next generation of leaders.”
Since becoming president in 2017, Dr. Boomgaarden has led numerous transformative initiatives at SJNY. Among his accomplishments are the construction of multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art Student Center on the Long Island Campus, the addition of new and in-demand academic programs and the University’s historic transition from college to university status, an achievement officially approved by the New York State Department of Education and the New York Board of Regents in April 2022.
Before joining SJNY, Dr. Boomgaarden built an impressive career in higher education. He previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania and held the title of David P. Swanzy Distinguished Professor of Music at Loyola University New Orleans, where he also served as dean of the College of Music and Fine Arts. His leadership excellence at SJNY was further recognized in January 2025, when the Board of Trustees extended his appointment through July 2030.
Throughout his presidency, Dr. Boomgaarden has earned widespread recognition for his visionary leadership and significant impact in higher education. His leadership has been celebrated by several prominent media outlets, including City & State New York, PoliticsNY, amNY Metro, Long Island Press, and Schneps Media’s Education and Power lists.
