Prior to Queens College, Dr. Russell K. Hotzler was the University Dean for Academic Affairs at CUNY.
He served as interim president from Fall 2000 through Spring 2002.
“A new interim president has been appointed to Queens College by CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein. This appointment, which was recommended to the Board of Trustees at itsJune26 meeting, is a result of Allen Lee Sessoms’ resignation as QC president on April 7, 2000.
Russell K. Hotzler, who was the University Dean for Academic Affairs at CUNY since 1996, officially took over on Aug. 31.
... Hotzler was originally chosen by Goldstein for his “great experience” and for being an individual who was very familiar with academic life.” He served as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at Queensborough Community College for twelve years and also served as University liaison to the State Education Department, where he helped CUNY colleges improve their teacher education programs. He also worked closely with QC while at Queensborough.
Hotzler graduated from Polytechnic University (formerly the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn), where he received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering anda Ph.D. in Physical Metallurgy.
Hotzler will serve a temporary term as QC undergoes a transition from Sessoms to a new permanent president.”
“His work at Queens—together with his previous efforts to help CUNY campuses shore up their teacher education programs—have earned Dr. Hotzler, 57, a reputation as CUNY’s Mr. Fixit.
Hotzler fans pressed unsuccessfully to keep him at Queens College despite CUNY’s policy that interim presidents not be considered candidates for the job. Now, as James L. Muyskens, the new permanent president, settles in, CUNY has dispatched Dr. Hotzler three miles down the road to York College in Jamaica. York’s president, Charles C. Kidd, left suddenly in June after six years in the job.”