Kimberly Cline

President, Long Island University

Dr. Kimberly R. Cline became the 10th president of Long Island University (LIU) in July 2013 and assumed leadership of one of the largest and most comprehensive private universities in the country. She has led the nearly century old institution through a transformational process to provide students with an exceptional education that emphasizes experiential learning and excellence in teaching and research.

Dr. Cline’s tenure has seen dynamic new schools, centers, and career-ready programs launched at LIU to increase retention and graduation, attract high achieving applicants, and improve philanthropy, while exposing students to high-demand academic programs led by innovative leadership.

Under Dr. Cline’s direction, her initiatives have garnered national exposure and increased visibility for the University resulting in higher enrollment while remaining committed to only 2% tuition increases. The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment is led by well-known musical artists, and The Roosevelt School for civic education and global leadership is chaired by Tweed Roosevelt, great grandson of Theodore Roosevelt. Dr. Cline has secured premier partnerships to leverage industry leaders and icons as professors and guest lecturers. She has also brought university Athletics to Division 1 status.

She has worked tirelessly to magnify the student experience by increasing Hope Scholarships for students who need significant financial assistance, and spearheaded the establishment of the School of Arts and Communication at LIU Brooklyn, and a groundbreaking partnership with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to restore the legendary Brooklyn Paramount Theatre.

Further, Dr. Cline has established a film school in which students will produce their own feature length film, as well as the new 3DS lab with virtual reality technology to advance health and sciences learning across the board.

Dr. Cline is a recognized leader in education; she has been named to the Long Island Press Power List of the 50 most influential people on Long Island, to the inaugural Long Island Power 50 by City and State, and as one of Brooklyn’s Women of Distinction. Dr. Cline is a past chair of the Board of Trustees of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities and a past member of the board of the Center for Creative Leadership. She currently serves as a board member of the Long Island Association. Along with a Bachelor in Science in Industrial Relations, Dr. Cline holds a Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor, and Doctor of Educational Administration. She previously served as Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of the State University of New York system and President of Mercy College.