Berkeley College President Diane Recinos, EdD, was recently honored by the news organization City & State New York as one of its 50 Over 50 Age Disruptors, a list featuring leaders who have reached the pinnacle of success in their profession.
“For many of us, passing the half-century mark coincides with a peak in our professional lives,” City & State New York said in an article announcing the 2024 list in partnership with AARP New York.
“Mastery within a field has been achieved, tangible achievements amassed, earnings maximized. More broadly, those over the age of 50 have learned valuable life lessons and attained wisdom that comes with decades of experience,” the publication said.
Recinos is the only higher education leader on City and State New York’s list of honorees. Berkeley College, which she has led as president since 2022, has 3,500 enrolled students at its campuses in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, New Jersey, as well as New York City.
Other honorees included New York State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez; New York City Council Member Gale Brewer; and NY1 News Anchor Cheryl Wills. Award recipients were recognized at a ceremony on Jan. 29, 2024, at Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.
Throughout her career, Recinos has been on the frontlines of serving students and is their biggest advocate. Her priorities include ensuring that students have access to quality support services and career possibilities.
“Nothing motivates me more than seeing our students’ growth and accomplishments,” Recinos told City & State. “Their resilience and success drive the Berkeley College mission and remind me daily of the significant impact we have in guiding their paths forward.”
Recinos began her career at Berkeley in 1992 as director of financial aid and took on expanded roles in technology and analytics. As senior vice president, her leadership spanned campus operations, admissions, marketing, student development and campus life, disability services, career services, academic advisement, the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. She became interim president in 2021 and was named president by the Board of Trustees in March 2022.
Recinos volunteers her time as a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. She served as a board member for the American Conference on Diversity, the Woodbridge Economic Development Corporation and the Woodbridge Special Improvement District, and chairperson of the Board of the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce.
She is a fellow of the Bryn Mawr HERS Women in Higher Education Institute and of Lead New Jersey.
Recinos holds a Doctorate in Education from St. John Fisher College, a Master of Business Administration degree in Management from Wagner College, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Davis and Elkins College.
Photo Caption: City & State New York recognized Berkeley College President Diane Recinos, EdD, (center) among its 2024 ’50 Over 50 Age Disruptors.’ (L to R) John Celock, Special Project Editor, City & State New York; Recinos; and Beth Finkel, NY State Director, AARP.
