Farmingdale State College (FSC) is proud to today announce Robert S. Prezant, PhD, has been appointed by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees to serve as the 10th president of the College, effective August 14, 2024. President-elect Prezant will succeed President John S. Nader, PhD, who announced his retirement late last year. 

President-elect Prezant promises to move an exceptional College to the next level, and find new paths to promote scholarship and external grant support while deepening current partner relationships and growing new corporate and donor friends, and collaborators. 

“I am both humbled and honored to be joining Farmingdale State College as the next president. I extend my sincere appreciation to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King, Farmingdale's College Council, and the presidential search committee for entrusting me with this outstanding opportunity,” said President-elect Prezant. “The faculty, staff, and students of Farmingdale State College clearly stand poised to continue to excel, and to move an already exceptional College to the next level by growing additional exciting and important programs, enhancing external support, finding new corporate partners, and collaborating with the community. Farmingdale State College is fully focused on ensuring that students get a preeminent education with an emphasis on experiential opportunities, all to ensure they are fully prepared for tomorrow. It will be my pleasure and privilege to join this outstanding team.” 

“Dr. Prezant’s track record of increasing funding to support student success during his career makes him well-suited to assume the presidency at Farmingdale State College,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. 

President-elect Prezant joins SUNY from Southern Connecticut State University, where he is provost and vice president for academic affairs. He previously served as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Queens College, City University of New York, and chair of the biology department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

"FSC not only will represent the future of higher education but will help lead it."

— Robert S. Prezant, PhD

As provost, he has led in strategic planning, served on New England Commission of Higher Education accreditation visitation committees, led a university-wide branding effort, serves as principal investigator on a $3.2 million NSF Alliance for Minority Participation grant, created the Southern Fellows-in-Residence Program to help diversify the faculty, helped grow external funding, and has led on revamping the honors college.  

As a biologist and administrator, he has been the lead or co-lead in generating over $20 million in external funding to support research and academic programs. His administrative efforts have resulted in the creation and support of several centers and institutes, new degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, corporate partnerships, development, and enhancement of online and on-ground continuing education programs, and several global affiliations. 

President-elect Prezant holds a PhD in marine biology from the University of Delaware, an MS in biology (marine science) from Northeastern University, and a BA in biology from Adelphi University. 

“Dr. Prezant has a wealth of experience and a record of achievement in public higher education,” said President Nader. “He understands the College and is clearly well positioned to build on Farmingdale’s many achievements. I have no doubt that he will cultivate our growing partnerships with both businesses and philanthropies while advocating for our students and faculty. I congratulate Dr. Prezant on his appointment and look forward to working with him on a smooth transition.” 

“I would also like to thank Farmingdale State College President John Nader for his incredible career of service to the SUNY system,” added Chancellor King. “From his time as provost at SUNY Delhi, to his tenure serving as president of SUNY’s largest technology focused campus, President Nader has moved FSC forward in a positive direction and I strongly believe Dr. Prezant will build on the strong foundation laid by President Nader.” 

President Nader has served as FSC president since July 2016. As the chief administrative officer of the College, President Nader has focused on the development of new academic programs, building partnerships with private industries and community colleges, advancing applied learning opportunities, expanding support for student scholarships, improving student services, and enhancing buildings and grounds. Under his expert guidance, the College adopted an award-winning new strategic plan and mission statement. 

Reflecting on Dr. Prezant’s appointment, Farmingdale State College Council Chair Patricia Hill Williams, EdD, said, “On behalf of the Farmingdale State College Council, I’m both proud and honored to congratulate Robert S. Prezant, PhD, on his appointment as the tenth President of this dynamic and thriving institution. After a thorough and exhaustive search, Dr. Prezant emerged as an exceptional choice to lead FSC. The entire Council looks forward to working with Dr. Prezant to build on Farmingdale’s strong foundation, enhance the student experience and foster connections in the College community and beyond.”   

“Farmingdale State College has always focused on students and the needs of the surrounding community, state, and nation. From its agrarian roots to high-tech and cutting-edge disciplines like artificial intelligence, FSC keeps pace with the times and will continue to evolve along with those disciplines as well as changing career opportunities and community needs,” President-elect Prezant continued. “The outlook and trajectory for Farmingdale State College is robust and bright, offering a home to students who are seeking a premier education with hands-on experiences in a rich environment of discovery.  

“Looking forward, FSC will be recognized as the educational gem that it is, with growing support, enrollment, collaborators, and recognition,” he added. “The College is primed to find new paths to promote scholarship and external grant support while deepening current partner relationships and growing new corporate and donor friends and collaborators. FSC not only will represent the future of higher education but will help lead it.”   

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