President, Medgar Evers College
Dr. Patricia Ramsey’s journey to the college presidency is grounded in a deep commitment to service, education, and science. A biologist by training and an academic at heart, she steadily built a career that blends scholarly expertise with institutional leadership. On May 1, 2021, she made history as the first woman and the first scientist to become President of Medgar Evers College and has already made an impressive impact bringing a thoughtful, student-centered vision to campus and the higher education community.
Leadership Rooted in Legacy
Before joining Medgar Evers College, Dr. Ramsey built a distinguished record of leadership across several respected institutions. She began her career at Norfolk State University, serving as both a Deputy Fundraising Officer and Associate Professor of Biology. She went on to become Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shaw University, followed by nearly 12 years at Bowie State University, where she held multiple leadership roles, including Department Chair, Provost, and Interim President. Ramsey later served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Most recently, she was a Senior Executive Fellow with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), where she contributed to the advancement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
When Ramsey was named president of Medgar Evers, she admits she didn’t know much about the campus beyond what she had read. But as someone who’s always led with authenticity, she trusted her instincts and something about this opportunity felt right. As she began researching the college’s namesake, civil rights icon Medgar Evers, she discovered a profound connection to the institution. “I took the route most scientists don’t,” she recalls. “I started with Wikipedia and while scanning the page, a name jumped out at me—that of a pastor who had organized a gathering of civil rights leaders a year after Evers’ death. When I clicked through, a familiar name appeared in the list of participants: my cousin, Curtis. He was known in our family as “Uncle Buck,” and had marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, prayed on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during Bloody Sunday, and passed down a legacy of activism that had always been a part of my upbringing.”
The moment gave her chills. “If cousin Curtis knew I was a finalist for the presidency of Medgar Evers College, he would be so tickled, so proud,” says Ramsey. That feeling only deepened once she officially arrived on campus. While giving a personal tour of the campus library to her sister-in-law, she came across a display case dedicated to Medgar Evers. Inside was a book, and on its cover was a photograph of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Standing with Dr. King, Ralph Abernathy, and John Lewis was none other than her cousin Curtis. “It was like another sign. To see him honored here, right where I now serve, it was confirmation that this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Breaking Down Barriers
CUNY’s Medgar Evers College is located in Central Brooklyn, and just prior to Ramsey joining the college as president, she learned of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on that community. Wanting to make a difference, when she learned of a grant proposal opportunity where she could potentially get significant funding for the College, even though she had less than a 24-hour deadline, Ramsey dropped everything to focus on getting the proposal submitted. She was successful in meeting the deadline and the College received $20 million in grant funding just six weeks after Ramsey’s arrival. This was the single largest grant in the history of Medgar Evers College. Ramsey recalls, “As a scientist, in the past I’ve received a call on a Friday that if I submitted a proposal by Monday, I had an opportunity to get funding, but never one where I had less than 24 hours to submit. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep and called two of my new team members to assist. I want to publicly thank Dr. Kimberly Whitehead and Dr. Jesse Kane for the assistance that they provided me”.
CHAMPSS was designed for students who have exhausted traditional financial aid options but still can’t afford to complete their education. “We provide funding not only for tuition, but also for books and Metro Cards. We’re a commuter campus and most people don’t realize how many of our students struggle to afford even a train ride.”
— Dr. Patricia Ramsey
President, Medgar Evers College
Two projects resulted from the proposal, an economic recovery project for Central Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Recovery Core (BRC), and a student success project, affectionately known as CHAMPSS (Cultivating Holistic Academic Mindsets to Promote Student Success). The BRC provides a paid internship for Medgar Evers College students, and CHAMPSS provides gap funding, up to the full cost of tuition, for each year that the student meets the CHAMPSS requirements.
Regarding the BRC, Ramsey explains, “Student interns are placed with small businesses and non-profits through a careful vetting process. The students benefit through paid internships that provide experiential learning, while helping them with their financial needs, and the small businesses or non-profits benefit from being able to add additional staffing, without the financial burden on their respective payrolls, especially considering the income loss that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Ramsey continues, “Before placing the students, we focus on developing their soft skills, since one of the biggest challenges when graduates enter the workforce is the lack of strong interpersonal and professional skills.” This comprehensive preparation included professional dress standards, workplace etiquette, and communication. The BRC has grown from 30 partners at its inception, to more than 80 partners. Ramsey adds, “We’ve received nothing but positive feedback from our partners, and some interns have even been inspired to become entrepreneurs or start nonprofits, after their internship experience.”
CHAMPSS, the other project that was funded, was designed for students who have exhausted traditional financial aid options but still can’t afford to complete their education. “We provide funding not only for tuition, but also for books and Metro Cards,” Ramsey explains. “We’re a commuter campus and most people don’t realize how many of our students struggle to afford even a train ride.” According to an article released by 24/7 Wall Street in December of 2023, Medgar Evers College ranked No. 32 in the United States on its “Colleges with Most Upward Mobility” list. The median family earnings among enrolled students was $18,815 upon entry and grew to $42,968 after 10 years. Ramsey expressed, “Imagine a median family income below $19,000, for someone living in New York City.”
To maximize the return on investment, the CHAMPSS Program requires new freshmen to commit to graduating in four years, and new transfer students in two. “Most of our students work, often full time, which is why many of them do not finish their degrees,” notes Ramsey. “But now, with CHAMPSS providing gap funding that can cover up to full cost of attendance, plus providing students with books, and with metro cards so they can get to campus, there are fewer barriers to them earning that degree. In May 2025, we celebrated the graduation of our first (2021) CHAMPSS freshmen cohort, which is evidence that when financial barriers are lifted, student potential can thrive.”
Staying the Course
Dr. Ramsey has been widely recognized for her visionary leadership and impact, not just within the college, but across New York and beyond. Her work has earned her a place among some of the most influential figures in education and public service. She was named to City & State’s Brooklyn Power 100 list three years in a row (2021, 2022, and 2023), and to their Higher Education Power 100 in both 2022 and 2023, recognizing her as one of the top college and university leaders in New York State.
Her influence has also been honored by Schneps Media’s Brooklyn Power List and celebrated with numerous awards highlighting her dedication to education, community advancement, and social justice. She even received the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” from the 46th President of the United States in 2023, and the “Trailblazer of the Year Award” from the “Friends For A Better Buffalo,” in 2024, In 2025 she has already received an Emerald Award, a Congressional citation, a Living Legend Award, and has received notice of three additional honors that will be bestowed later this year.
“I’ve always believed in being my authentic self,” says Ramsey. “At a recent legislative breakfast, I didn’t use a prepared speech but spoke from the heart and let the moment guide me. At this event, I shared the stories of our students in the CHAMPSS program and Brooklyn Recovery Corps. After I spoke, someone approached me and said, ‘I wasn’t even considering your school, but now I want to give your institution money.’ That’s the power of speaking honestly, it connects people and can move them to act. When you speak from a genuine place, it resonates and your audience doesn’t just hear you, they feel the message.”
In the face of ever-changing policies and potential challenges, Ramsey says higher education leaders need to remain strategic and focused on their core mission. “It’s a challenging time, between executive orders and changes in funding language, like the National Science Foundation’s flagged terms that can jeopardize grant approvals. But my advice to higher ed leaders is not to panic. Be strategic. Choose your words carefully but stay true to your mission. We must continue doing the essential work, but with greater mindfulness. Describe the communities you serve and don’t stop advocating for your students. Political winds shift and we can’t afford to lose focus. We must stay the course, adapt thoughtfully, and remember why we are here—to uplift, empower, and create lasting change for the communities we serve.”
