Johanna Duncan-Poitier

Johanna Duncan-Poitier serves as Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education – P-16, providing leadership for the combined offices of Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education and Higher Education as part of the Board of Regents campaign for reform throughout the pre-kindergarten through college continuum (P-16).

Ms. Duncan-Poitier has been recognized across the State and nation for providing results-driven educational leadership, steering organizational change, directing innovative public programs, and creating cultures of collaboration to drive performance. She has provided over 20 years of leadership in the State Education Department in the Offices of Higher Education, the Professions, Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), and Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education (EMSC). Previous to being appointed to the role of Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education – P-16, she served concurrently as Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Higher Education and Office of the Professions.

In her role as Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Higher Education, Ms. Duncan-Poitier led the development of the most comprehensive Regents Statewide Plan for Higher Education in New York’s history. In developing the plan, she engaged leaders from across the higher education community, K-12 schools, community-based organizations, government, professional associations, unions, and others. The plan will drive higher education policy in New York and shape proposals for regulation, legislation, and State funding for higher education through 2012.

Ms. Duncan-Poitier also provided ten years of transformative leadership as Deputy Commissioner in the Office of the Professions. Under her direction, the Office has upheld the Board of Regents long-standing commitment to public protection and the integrity of the licensed professions. Ms. Duncan-Poitier brings to the role of Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education - P-16 an unparalleled commitment to collaborating with teachers, students, school leaders, parents, college and university administrators, union leaders, government representatives, community leaders, and many other partners to support student performance and success by ensuring that all students are taught by qualified teachers and provided a quality education; working to raise graduation rates in high schools and colleges; infusing new standards of accountability in schools across the State; and strengthening the pre-Kindergarten through higher education continuum.