New York, N.Y. (June 25, 2025) – The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has elected Guttman Community College President Larry Johnson, Jr. to the organization’s Board of Directors. Dr. Johnson was nominated to the Board as the National Council on Student Development affiliated council representative, and he will serve alongside other community college leaders to uphold the mission of AACC as well as excellence and accountability on behalf of its member institutions.
“I am honored to represent the National Council on Student Development on the AACC Board of Directors,” said Dr. Larry Johnson, Jr., President of Guttman Community College. “This appointment reflects a shared commitment to advancing student-centered practices and equity-driven leadership. I look forward to working alongside my peers to ensure that community colleges nationwide—especially those serving diverse urban populations—continue to be engines of opportunity and innovation.”
AACC provides advocacy for community colleges across the United States, offering information and resources as well as networking and professional development opportunities to promote collaboration and community building among the nation’s community colleges. More than 1,000 two-year, associate-degree-granting institutions are part of the organization, serving nearly 12 million students.
As of July 1, there will be eight new institutional board members, two AACC affiliated council representatives and two at-large representatives for a total of 10 new board members. (Read AACC’s announcement.) Dr. Johnson will deepen the representation from the east coast and serve as the only leader from New York City on the 32-member board. His membership provides an opportunity to address the unique challenges of serving students in America’s largest city.
“Selected by their peers, the AACC board of directors are recognized leaders that bring a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to student success,” AACC President and CEO Walter G. Bumphus said in a release. “Their service on the AACC board will help to advance initiatives and ensure that the voice of community college leaders is clearly heard in matters related to federal policy and regulation.”
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About AACC
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.
About Guttman Community College
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 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.
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