Betty A. Rosa was appointed permanent commissioner of education for the State of New York and president of the University of the State of New York. She will be the first Latina to hold the position.
Dr. Rosa has served on the New York board of regents since 2008 and became the board’s chancellor in 2016. She resigned as chancellor in August to fill in as interim commissioner of education. As commissioner, she will lead the agency and will assist the board’s members in carrying out the department’s mission to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York.
Dr. Rosa began her career as a bilingual paraprofessional, teacher, and reading coordinator in the New York City schools. She served as an assistant principal and principal in special education. In 1998, Dr. Rosa was appointed to the position of superintendent of Community School District 8 in the Bronx and later became senior superintendent of the Bronx.
Dr. Rosa is a graduate of the City College of New York, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree and a doctorate from Harvard University. Dr. Rosa also holds two other master’s degrees from the City University of New York, one in administration and supervision and the other in bilingual education.