Long Island University (LIU) announced that Garden City native Dr. Kimberly R. Cline has been honored as a 2014 Distinguished Leader in Education by Education Update.
Past recipients of the publication’s Distinguished Leader in Education awards include: Harold (Terry) McGraw III, chairman of the board and former president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies; Dr. Susan H. Fuhrman, president of Teachers College, Columbia University; and Dr. Lisa S. Coico, president of The City College of New York.
Since taking the helm as president in 2013, Dr. Cline has led LIU through a transformational process to provide students with an exceptional education that combines a solid grounding in liberal arts and sciences with real-world, experiential learning.
This innovative approach gives students the skills and experience they need to successfully forge careers in the global workplace.
With more than 100,000 readers, Education Update is recognized as a leading source of information for educators and senior administrators in the New York/New Jersey region.
Publisher Dr. Pola Rosen, a former teacher and school supervisor, has been a featured guest on television and public radio while also winning numerous awards from educational and civic groups.
The notable achievements that distinguish Dr. Cline’s leadership at LIU include:
• Establishing the LIU Promise Initiative that pairs incoming students with personal Success Coaches who serve as a single point of contact — from academic counseling to financial aid, student life and career preparation — providing an advocate and trusted guide.
• Launching a groundbreaking cross-disciplinary emphasis on entrepreneurialism through multiple initiatives such as the opening of five new student-run businesses, and partnering with a Long Island venture capital company.
• Leveraging the opportunities offered by the region’s strongest industries by creating a host of career-ready programs in entrepreneurship, financial engineering, alternative investments, fashion merchandising, and equine management, among others.
• Originating an UN Ambassador lecture series that allows students to learn directly from the most influential world leaders of our age.
• Encouraging talented high school students to explore career paths through the new Summer Honors Institute@LIU, which offers a week-long, behind-the scenes view of some of the most popular careers.
• Recognizing the importance of athletics by introducing golf, track and field, wrestling, fencing, swimming and other programs.
In addition to these student initiatives, Cline was recognized by Education Update for strengthening university operations by focusing on institutional effectiveness, conducting a comprehensive strategic planning process, and integrating all major enrollment service areas.
Looking to the future, Dr. Cline has made a significant commitment to increase the university’s fundraising and advancement capacity by recognizing the power that nearly 200,000 active alumni could contribute toward long-term success.
Her degrees include a BS, an MBA, a JD and an Ed.D.
