Guttman leader commits to learning stronger student outcome practices.
New York, NY (June 17, 2025) – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced that Dr. Rosslyn Knight, vice president of strategy and chief of staff at Guttman Community College, part of the City University of New York, is one of 40 leaders selected for the 2025-26 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Rigorously selected from among over 120 applicants, fellows will learn from — and apply to their own contexts — lessons from over a dozen years of Aspen research about how to lead an institution to higher and more equitable levels of student success.
“Dr. Rosslyn Knight exemplifies the leadership qualities Aspen values—she is innovative, data-informed, and deeply committed to improving outcomes for all students. Her selection as a Rising Presidents Fellow affirms her readiness to lead with vision and impact,” said Dr. Larry Johnson, Guttman president. “I was proud to nominate her and am confident she will make a meaningful contribution to this exceptional network of changemakers, driving transformational change that promotes upward social mobility for countless students.”
Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating an opportunity for college trustees and system heads to select leaders who have the skills and knowledge to achieve better outcomes for students. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of diverse college leaders, including by institution and geography, representing 19 states and ranging from small rural to large urban colleges. The fellows will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders over ten months to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent outcomes for all their students while in college and after they graduate.
“Our research on excellent colleges reveals that they have a few big things in common: They have presidents who focus on a few large-scale reforms that transcend enrollment and completion goals and centrally focus on whether graduates are set up to succeed in the next stage of their lives—either the world of work or at a university where they aim to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “This cohort of fellows is clearly committed to advancing student success and has the talent to lead transformational reforms. We are really looking forward to our year with them in the fellowship and bringing their talents into our alumni network.”
“I am honored to be selected as one of 40 leaders nationwide for the 2025–26 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. It is a privilege to join a distinguished cohort of leaders from across the country who are deeply committed to advancing equity and excellence in student outcomes. I look forward to engaging with Aspen’s extensive research and learning from nationally recognized presidents and thought leaders who have led transformational change,” said Dr. Knight. “I am particularly inspired by the fellowship’s emphasis on equity-minded leadership, data-informed decision-making, and building pathways that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for all students—whether through transfer, workforce opportunities, career advancement, or lifelong learning.”
She continued, “My sincere gratitude to the Aspen Institute for this opportunity, and to Dr. Larry Johnson for his nomination and support. Congratulations to the outstanding leaders selected for the 2025–26 cohort. I look forward to the important work ahead.”
Rising Presidents Fellows are chosen based on their commitment to student success, the extent to which they exhibit the characteristics of excellent presidents revealed in our research, and interest in pursuing a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As Aspen Presidential Fellows, they join a network of over 430 forward-thinking peers — 197 of whom are sitting college presidents — who are applying concrete, grounded and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges at their colleges.
The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Burton Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, College Futures Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation.
For bios and photos of all 40 leaders, visit as.pn/RPF-C10.
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The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes — with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College was 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. Niche.com named Guttman the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2021. ng as Latine, Black/African American or Asian. Niche.com named Guttman the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2021.
