Welcome to the College of Staten Island Virtual Hall of Presidents
The College of Staten Island traces its roots back to the establishment of Staten Island Community College in 1956 as the Borough’s public institution of higher education of The City University of New York, offering associate’s degrees. In 1965, Richmond College was opened by CUNY as a two-year upper division college to offer baccalaureate and master’s degrees and participate in doctoral education. Staten Island Community College and Richmond College were merged in 1976 and renamed the College of Staten Island. In 1993, the College of Staten Island was relocated to its present location in Willowbrook.
We are proud to commemorate, with this Hall of Presidents, the great contributions that
the leaders of this College and its predecessor schools have made to the growth and advancement of the only public institution of higher education on Staten Island.
The actual Hall of Presidents is located in the hallway of the fourth floor of Building 1A, outside of the Office of the President.
Dr. William J. Fritz
Dr. William J. Fritz
President
College of Staten Island
2012 - 2021
Dr. William J. Fritz was appointed as Interim President of the College of Staten Island in 2012 and served as President from May 2014 until his retirement in 2021. His academic area is geology.
Dr. Tomás D. Morales
Dr. Tomás D. Morales
President
College of Staten Island
2007 - 2012
Dr. Morales was President of the College of Staten Island from 2007 until 2012, when he accepted the position of President at California State University, San Bernadino. His academic area of expertise is educational administration and policy studies.
Dr. Marlene Springer
Dr. Marlene Springer
President
College of Staten Island
1994 - 2007
Dr. Springer led the College of Staten Island from 1994 until her retirement in 2007. Her academic focus is 19th-century British and American literature.
Dr. Edmund L. Volpe
Dr. Edmund L. Volpe
President
College of Staten Island
1976 - 1994
President
Richmond College
1974 - 1976
Dr. Volpe was appointed President of College of Staten Island predecessor institution Richmond College in 1974. He became President of the College of Staten Island in 1976.
Dr. William M. Birenbaum
Dr. William M. Birenbaum
President
Staten Island Community College
1968 - 1976
Dr. Birenbaum served as President of College of Staten Island predecessor institution Staten Island Community College (SICC) from 1968 until the merger of SICC and Richmond College in 1976, which resulted in the formation of the College of Staten Island. His academic focus was access to higher education for all.
Dr. Herbert Schueler
Dr. Herbert Schueler
President
Richmond College
1966 - 1973
Dr. Schueler was the first President of College of Staten Island predecessor institution Richmond College, a position in which he served from 1966 until 1973. His academic specialties were German literature and philosophy.
Dr. Walter L. Willig
Dr. Walter L. Willig
President
Staten Island Community College
1955 - 1968
Dr. Willig was the inaugural President of College of Staten Island predecessor institution Staten Island Community College (SICC) from 1956 to 1968. His academic area of expertise was civil engineering.
The College of Staten Island Legacy Video celebrates a Tradition of Excellence since 1956