Dr. Larry Johnson, Jr. has been named to the South Bronx-based Phipps Neighborhoods Board. The City University of New York (CUNY) Trustees voted to appoint Dr. Johnson President of Stella and Charles Guttman Community College on July 21, 2021. As the second president of CUNY’s newest community college in 40 years, Dr. Johnson leads Guttman Community College into its next decade, as the College opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012.
Committed to forging partnerships with organizations that share Guttman’s mission and his vision for educational equity for all New Yorkers, Johnson found in Phipps Neighborhoods’ efforts to remove barriers that create cycles of poverty an echo of his own convictions and leadership priorities.
The “Culture of Care” promoting transparency, respect, and collegiality that Johnson promotes at Guttman Community College while strengthening its academic role in developing NYC’s workforce is what prompted Executive Director and CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods, Andre White, to invite Johnson to serve on the organization’s forward-thinking Board. “As a member of the Phipps Neighborhoods Board, Larry Johnson’s experience and insight will help shape and guide our strategic direction and realization of our mission,” states White.
Johnson, former President of Phoenix College, Arizona’s 100 year-old flagship institution of the 10-campus Maricopa Community College District, is recognized nationally by associations such as the American Association of Community Colleges and the Aspen Institute for his successful track record of establishing and fostering productive workforce partnerships with higher education. “Guttman’s faculty and staff are laser-focused on ensuring the College’s academic pathways prepare and empower our students to contribute to the vibrant New York ecosystem through high-quality educational and career-ready opportunities,” he says.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College is CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College provides holistic support and advising to ensure timely degree completion, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman is federally designated as a Hispanic-serving institution and minority-serving institution with more than 90% of the student population identifying as Latine, Black/African American or Asian. Guttman was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2020 and 2021 by Niche.com, and WalletHub ranked Guttman the #1 community college in New York State for 2025.
Phipps Neighborhoods, the social services affiliate of Phipps Houses, provides over 12,000 children, youth and families in South Bronx low-income neighborhoods the opportunities they need to thrive through comprehensive education and career programs, and access to community services. Phipps Houses, begun in 1902, is the oldest and largest not-for-profit developer, owner, and manager of affordable housing in New York City. If you are a member of the media and have questions about Phipps Houses or Phipps Neighborhoods, please contact: phipps@risaheller.com