Faculty Tenures, Promotions for 2025–2026

As New York Tech prepares for the 2025–2026 academic year, several faculty members have been recognized for their outstanding teaching, scholarship, service, and commitment to the university and its students through tenure and promotions approved at the May meeting of the Board of Trustees.

“It is a privilege to recognize these educators and scholars for their achievements and commitment to our students,” says Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Francine Glazer, Ph.D. “On behalf of our students, we applaud their contributions in our classrooms, labs, and beyond to deliver the best possible education and student experiences at New York Tech.”

The following tenures and/or promotions become effective on September 1, 2025:

College of Arts and Sciences

• Daniel Cinotti, Ph.D., promotion to professor
• Nayoung Kim, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor

College of Engineering and Computing Sciences

• Arman Bonakdarpour, Ph.D., promotion to associate professor (Vancouver)
• Jerry Cheng, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor
• Paolo Gasti, Ph.D., promotion to professor
• Yongjian Gu, Ph.D., promotion to adjunct professor
• Fang Li, Ph.D., promotion to professor
• Yunlong Shao, Ph.D., promotion to associate professor (Vancouver)

College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Joerg Leheste, Ph.D., promotion to professor
• To Shan Li, D.O., promotion to professor (Jonesboro)
• Donna-Marie McMahon, D.O., promotion to professor
• Lillian Niwagaba, Ph.D., promotion to associate professor
• Gonzalo Otazu, Ph.D.,promotion to associate professor
• Anu Raj, Psy.D., promotion to associate professor
• Milan Toma, Ph.D., promotion to associate professor
• Haotian Zhao, M.D., promotion to professor
• Yingtao (Jerry) Zhao, Ph.D., promotion to associate professor   

School of Architecture and Design

• Alessandro Melis, Ph.D., tenure
• Sung (Kevin) Park, M.F.A., tenure and promotion to associate professor

School of Health Professions

• Jaclyn Cotgreave, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor
• Lori Hochman, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor
• Jessica Varghese, Ph.D., tenure and promotion to associate professor

School of Management

• Joshua Bienstock, J.D., promotion to professor
• Sinan Caykoylu, Ph.D., promotion to professor (Vancouver)
• Shaya Sheikh, Ph.D., promotion to professor