New York, NY – October 2, 2023 —The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is pleased to announce the election of Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers to its Board of Directors. Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers joined the board effective September 20th, and will work closely with equally dedicated board members on setting HEAF’s strategic priorities to ensure the college access program continues to open doors to college and careers for New York City students from underserved communities.
“Gladys brings a wealth of higher education expertise to our board, coupled with deep experience in DEI,” said Karla Maloof, HEAF Board Chair. “With her leadership roles at the City University of New York’s School of Labor and Urban Studies, Gladys knows first-hand the academic and opportunity gaps faced by students like those served by HEAF, and her guidance and counsel as board member will be indispensable to HEAF.”
“A dynamic leader in the higher education space, we are excited to welcome Gladys to our Board,” said Michael Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of HEAF. “Gladys’ experience with the New York State Education Department, as both accreditation reviewer and principal investigator for gateway programs for students of color and underserved students, will contribute to the board’s and the leadership team’s work to further evolve HEAF’s model to ensure our programming continues to adapt to meet our students’ needs and support their success.”
“I am so pleased to join the HEAF Board of Directors,” Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers commented. “The organization’s purpose to build equitable opportunities for academic and career success is closely aligned to my personal mission. I look forward to working with the esteemed board members and HEAF’s staff to help students achieve their greatest potential.”
Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers is the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer and Chief Diversity Office at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. In that role, she oversees the implementation of an array of academic and student life programs: expansion of the school’s online degree offerings; development of an enrollment management optimizing student recruitment, retention and graduation; construction of a DEI framework providing career counseling, supporting faculty and student research. In addition, Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers is a New York State Department of Education Institutional Accreditation Reviewer, Middle States Commission on Higher Education Peer Reviewer, and Principal Investigator for the NYS DOE’s Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).
Previously, Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers was Assistant Vice President and Associate Provost at CUNY Medgar Evers College. Before that she was Executive Director of Campus Effectiveness and Academic Support and Associate Provost at Long Island University.
Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers currently serves on the Brookhaven National Laboratory Inclusion and Diversity External Advisory Board, in addition to the Leadership Institute for Democracy and Social Justice Advisory Board at the Leadership Center For Democracy and Social Justice of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College of New York and the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies.
Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from St. John’s College; a Master of Science in bilingual and ESL education from City College of New York; a Professional Diploma in multicultural and multilingual administration and supervision from C.W. Post, Long Island University; a Master of Arts in higher education from Teachers College, Columbia University; and an Ed.D doctoral degree in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also holds permanent certifications in Elementary Education from both the New York State Department of Education and the New York City Department of Education.