Dr. Bereneca Johnson Eanes

York College

President

Following an academic year (September 2019 to June 2020) as interim president of York College/CUNY, Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes was appointed permanent president. President Eanes immediately began assessing the needs of the college and devising a strategy to grow the college as “One York,” where everyone feels valued for their contribution to the academic enterprise. During the interim appointment at York, Dr. Eanes accomplished several long and short-term goals, including completing York’s Strategic Plan, establishing three main pillars to support “Undergraduates who thrive and graduate.” She launched the One York Emergency Fund to help students during the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant shut-down.

Before her York College appointment, Dr. Eanes served for seven years as Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University Fullerton. She provided vision and oversight of $182 million in new campus construction and renovation projects. The effort raised more than $50,000, which was immediately distributed to student applicants.

Dr. Eanes is widely published in her field of Social Work and earned more than $8 million in grants for her research to support student success initiatives. She has taught and been an administrator at various other institutions, including Columbia University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Morehouse College. Dr. Eanes earned her succession of degrees from Dillard University, where she majored in Public Health; Boston University, where she earned the MSW; and the Doctor of Social Work (Ph.D.) from Clark Atlanta University.