Office of the President

Dr. John S. Nader became President of Farmingdale State College in July 2016.

He has promoted his Powered by Optimism message across the campus and in meetings with civic, business and institutional leaders to enhance the profile of Farmingdale State College as a vibrant campus vital to the future of Long Island.

Since arriving, Dr. Nader has focused on the development of new academic programs, building partnerships with private industries and community colleges, advancing applied learning opportunities, expanding support for student scholarships, improving student services, and enhancing buildings and grounds. Under his guidance, the College adopted a new strategic plan and mission statement.

President Nader has initiated numerous aesthetic improvements to the Farmingdale campus. Flags representing the home countries of FSC’s increasingly international student population are now incorporated into Ralph Bunche Plaza to recognize the national origin of Farmingdale graduates. In 2017, the College completed a renovation of Conklin Hall, which now serves as a center of student activities. Subsequent upgrades to classrooms, conference spaces, residence halls, and athletic facilities have been completed.

Farmingdale now enrolls nearly 10,000 students and has experienced the highest enrollment growth in the SUNY system over the past several years. More than 100 new faculty and staff members have been hired in recent years. As a result of the College’s rapid growth, Dr. Nader meets regularly with state legislators and civic groups to advocate for a new $50M applied sciences building that will serve nearly 1,000 additional students and faculty.

Dr. Nader has taken steps to deepen the College’s engagement with campus constituencies and the broader community. The College, in conjunction with the Long Island Association, completed a major economic impact statement. In 2018 Farmingdale published a new campus magazine highlighting the achievements of its students, alumni, and faculty. Dr. Nader hosts an annual legislative breakfast for leaders across Long Island and regularly sponsors civic and business group meetings with Farmingdale’s leadership team.

He is a member of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council and serves as co-chair of its Workforce and Education Committee. He serves on the executive committees of the Long Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education and the Skyline Athletic Conference. He is also a member of the NCAA President’s Advisory Group.

From 2009 to 2016 Dr. Nader was Provost at SUNY Delhi. He also served as a member of the board of directors of O’Conner Hospital in Delhi, NY. He was presider of the SUNY Chief Academic Officers organization.

As Mayor of Oneonta, NY from 2005-2009, he led the revitalization of a long-dormant downtown property and the creation of a veterans' memorial walkway. As a county legislator and community action leader he helped establish a homeless shelter. Dr. Nader received a BA in Politics from Ithaca College and an MA and a PhD in Economics from the New School for Social Research.