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

Girl wearing a VR headset and walking on a treadmill

Study: VR Helps Children With Autism Participate in Exercise and Sports

A new study by researchers from the School of Health Professions and College of Osteopathic Medicine demonstrates how virtual reality (VR) can help children with autism spectrum disorder participate in exercise.

Woman boxing wearing pink boxing gloves

Boxers Fight Back Against Parkinson’s Disease

A holiday “boxathon” hosted by NYITCOM’s Parkinson’s Center raised awareness for the disease and the importance of exercise in treatment, while bringing members of the Rock Steady Boxing community together at a time when patients may experience loneliness and isolation.

Prototype of eyeglasses

“Envisioning” More Inclusive Eyewear

As part of a collaborative initiative between New York Tech and the global eyewear company Marcolin, students from the School of Architecture and Design and NYITCOM teamed up to develop potential eyewear solutions for neurodivergent populations.

Winning team with their professor

Vancouver Cybersecurity Students Hack Their Way to Third Place at CyberSci 2025 CTF Competition

New York Tech-Vancouver students achieved a significant milestone at CyberSci 2025, earning third place in the Vancouver region and 25th overall out of 86 teams across Canada.

Hands holding vaccine syringe

What to Know About This Year’s Flu

As health officials brace for another active flu season, NYITCOM-Arkansas infectious disease physician Carl Abraham, M.D., shares what to expect and how to stay well.

Gonzalo Otazu and Kassandra Sturm in a lab

Driven by ‘Why’

Third-year medical student Kassandra Sturm leads the charge on a new study helping to uncover the neurological source affecting the sense of smell in autism spectrum disorder.