Meet New York Tech’s New Leader for Office of Student Life

Tiffani L. Blake, M.S., M.Ed., has joined New York Institute of Technology as interim dean of students for the institution’s two New York campuses.

Blake will be a key member of the Office of Academic Affairs leadership team, reporting to Junius J. Gonzales, M.D., M.B.A., provost and vice president of academic affairs. In this role, she will be responsible for championing New York Tech’s goal to be a student-centered institution that fosters culture change, promotes inclusion and diversity, stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship, and cultivates personal and professional student growth and development. Additionally, she will work closely with faculty, department chairs, deans, and student affairs staff to enhance the student experience through shared programs, services, resources, and initiatives.

“Tiffani Blake has extensive experience in higher education in numerous roles, and possesses depth and breadth in many areas within Student Life and beyond—she truly cares about the student experience,” said Gonzales. “Her knowledge, expertise, dedication, and high energy also extend beyond the workplace to serving the community at large, which makes her even more relevant to and an exceptional role model for our students.”

Blake comes from The College of New Rochelle (CNR), where she had been dean of students since January 2015. There, she supervised student activities, residence life, health and wellness initiatives, orientation, student leadership, judicial affairs, and commuter services across four schools and five campuses. She played a leadership role in coordinating new student success communities and focused on promoting an educational environment celebrating diversity, encouraging personal growth, and recognizing individual needs.

“I am honored to join an institution that is committed to the academic, personal, and professional development of its students into alumni who will assess and respond to global needs and challenges,” Blake said. “I look forward to engaging with NYIT’s students, faculty and staff to enhance and sustain a sense of belonging, vibrancy, and innovation on our New York campuses.”

An alumna of CNR, Blake joined the staff there full-time in 2005. She served as the associate director and director of student development, coordinating educational and social activities for resident and commuter students in the School of Arts & Sciences and School of Nursing & Healthcare Professions, overseeing orientation and advising the Student Government Association and other student organizations, among other responsibilities.

Prior to her appointment as dean of students, Blake was the special assistant to the CNR president for mission and board relations. She worked to inspire the community to embrace the college’s heritage and mission of education and service, and served as liaison between the president and the board of trustees.

She is actively involved in the Archdiocese of New York. Since 2005, she has been a commissioner of the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese and is a member of the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In 2016 she received the Business Council of Westchester’s “Rising Star” award, which recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are excelling in their fields/leadership in the county.

Blake currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle and organized and participated in several service trips to Mexico, Haiti, and the United States.

She holds a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Baruch College and a master’s degree in higher and post-secondary education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She currently is pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational leadership at Northeastern University.