A Bold Prescription for Higher Education

News Staff| November 3, 2025

When Jerry Balentine, D.O., assumed the presidency of New York Tech on July 1, he stepped into a role he never envisioned for himself as a young physician in the Bronx.

Trained as an emergency medicine specialist, Balentine planned for a career treating patients, training residents, and thriving in the unpredictable world of the emergency department.

Now, as the university’s fifth president, Balentine is drawing on his background in emergency medicine, health system administration, and academic leadership to guide New York Tech through one of higher education’s most challenging eras.

This article originally appeared in the fall 2025/winter 2026 issue of New York Institute of Technology Magazine.

By Renée Gearhart Levy

More News

Madalina Cupsa sits next to a computer

Intern Insight: Madalina Cupsa

Bioengineering student Madalina Cupsa began interning at The Mount Sinai Hospital in January and is now approaching one year as a research assistant.

Portrait of Steven Zanganeh

Engineering a Cancer Treatment Game Changer

A groundbreaking project co-led by the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ Steven Zanganeh, Ph.D., provides the world’s first functional, drug-testable, 3-D-printed human colon model.

President Jerry Balentine speaking at podium

The Installation of President Jerry Balentine, D.O.

On October 16, surrounded by respected colleagues, family, and friends, Jerry Balentine, D.O., was installed as the fifth president of New York Institute of Technology.

Group of people holding a citation

Startup Tech Central Officially Opens

Members of New York Tech and the local community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Startup Tech Central, a resource for students to transform ideas into real-world impact.

Portrait of Shikha Gandhi

Intern Insight: Shikha Gandhi

Architecture student Shikha Gandhi’s internship with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection offered everything she hoped for as an aspiring sustainable and community-centered architect.

Hands chopping food

Cops in the Kitchen: 11th Annual Cast Iron Chef

In tandem with Inauguration Week, this year’s Cast Iron Chef Cooking Competition welcomed local law enforcement officers for an evening of culinary fun.