Transformative Academic Leadership with Proven Results
About Dr. Daniel Ibarrondo
My career includes 20+ years doing provost-level work in higher education — currently holding executive authority over 85% of academic programs, a $6M budget, and 30 faculty at Franklin Cummings Tech, and having secured $100M+ in external funding over my career from NSF, the U.S. Department of Education (Title III/V), NOAA, and private foundations. My titles have not always reflected that scope. My results do.
I am passionate about higher education and dedicated to colleges and universities that serve traditionally underrepresented, historically marginalized, and first-generation college students. Having held executive and administrative leadership positions across New York, Florida, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico, I bring a proven record of institutional transformation: launching the first MBA program in the U.S. with a core DEI concentration, leading turnarounds generating $10M+ and $14M+ in new revenue, commanding institution-wide crisis response for 1,000+ students during COVID-19, and serving 18 years as a presidential-level strategic advisor to multiple universities simultaneously.
Before higher education, I worked in private law practice in litigation, corporate, family, and civil matters, while teaching law, government, political science, and international relations in the evenings, which is where I discovered my passion for academia. I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and deeply experienced with NECHE, Middle States, and ABET accreditation.
Education
Pepperdine University
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Learning and Educational Technologies
Seton Hall University
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Bilingual and Bicultural Education
Harvard University
Institute of Education Management - Executive Leadership Certification in Higher Education Management
State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Fordham University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) with a major in Political Science and a minor in Puerto Rican Studies
Professional Experiences
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Franklin Cummings Tech
• Executive authority over 85% of the college’s academic programs, a $6M budget, and 30 faculty across technical, workforce, and general education divisions
• Direct oversight of Automotive Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, HVAC&R Technology, Practical Electricity, Engineering Technology, Continuing Education & Workforce Programs, and General Education
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Cambridge College Global
• Conceived and launched the nation’s first MBA program with a core DEI concentration (MBA-DEIB)
• Directed college-wide DEI curriculum reform and faculty development across 70+ instructors
Associate Dean of Online Programming, Cambridge College
• Commanded institution-wide COVID-19 academic response: migrated 400+ courses, trained 200+ faculty, supported 1,000+ students through the transition to remote learning
• Negotiated a strategic online enrollment partnership with the U.S. Air Force (GEM Program)
Associate Dean for Online Learning, Quincy College
• Delivered 425% enrollment growth and $4M in new revenue through end-to-end strategic design and execution
• Implemented Quality Matters standards and trained 30+ faculty in QM, TechSmith Relay, and Canvas LMS
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Advancement & Development Associates, Inc.
Founded and led a federal relations and institutional development consulting practice retained directly by university presidents. Over 18 years, generated $100M+ in external funding (career total) and provided executive-level strategic counsel on academic affairs, accreditation, enrollment, facilities, and governance. Multiple institutions retained me concurrently over extended periods, a direct result of consistently delivering measurable outcomes. The advisory engagements below ran concurrently under this practice.
• Advisor to the President, Caribbean University–Bayamon (2000–2017) — secured $10M+ for new campus construction and $2M Title V funding each for the Bayamon and Ponce Campuses; led successful Middle States Association (MSA) reaccreditation
• Advisor to the President, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (2000–2015) — secured $15M+ from NSF and the U.S. Department of Education for STEM program development, ABET accreditation, and external campus expansion in Florida
• Advisor to the President, Atlantic University College (2000–2012) — architected the transformation from junior college to a top-tier multimedia, graphic, and design arts institution, generating $10M+ in new revenue; secured $6M+ in federal funding for new academic programs
Executive Director, Institutional Development & Sponsored Programs, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
• Directly obtained $14M+ in U.S. Department of Education funding for university-wide STEM institutional projects
• Designed and launched the nation’s first Hispanics in Engineering National Conference (2004), convening 100+ engineering colleges and national institutions
Instructional Designer, Mountain View College (Title V Grant)
• Directed online retention and success strategy for low-income and underrepresented student populations, partnering directly with academic deans
Director, Corporate, Foundations & Government Relations, Southeastern University
• Secured a $10M single-gift commitment from a private corporation
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for International & External Affairs, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez
• Obtained $10M+ in government and corporate funding, including a $6M NOAA research vessel gift for the Marine Science doctoral program
Director, School of Professional Studies, Pratt Institute
• Built international study-abroad revenue streams (Denmark, France, Italy) still active today
• Grew Pre-College Program enrollment from 60 to 120 students
Associate Dean of Extension Centers, Mercy College
• Increased full-time enrollment from 400 to over 1,500 students in 8 months
“Twenty-first-century instructors should possess an “Asset” mindset, not an industrial- age “Deficit” mindset. An asset mindset focuses on the strengths of each individual learner, while a deficit mindset focuses on any “limitations” a student may have. Every student has a manner in which they best excel.”
— Dr. Daniel Ibarrondo
Awards And Recognitions
Instructional Technology Council (ITC) Leadership Academy
Brooklyn Borough President Proclamation for Community Educational Services
Seton Hall University Graduate Fellowship
Fordham University Distinguished HEOP Alumni Award - 25th Anniversary
SUNY Buffalo School of Law - Dale S. Margulis Award for Leadership in the Law School and Community
American Bar Association Journalism Award
SUNY Buffalo School of Law - Legal Methods Achievement Award
“It is imperative that in today’s changing and pivotal landscape for higher education, faculty need to be prepared to meet and teach each and every student as they arrive in the classroom. Many times the question is not whether the student is “college ready” but whether the college is student ready.”
— Dr. Daniel Ibarrondo
Board and Volunteer Leadership
• President & Board Member, Fundación Pedro Albizu Campos, Inc. (2024–Present)
• Vice President & Board Member, The Global Presence – Parenting 2.0 (2018–Present)
• Vice President & Board Member, National Hispanic Asthmatic Assistance Foundation, Inc. (2005–2009)
• President’s Advisory Council, Board Member, Atlantic University College (2001–2003)
• Executive Director & Board Member, Community Organization Legal Assistance Project – National Conference of Black Lawyers (1989–1991)
• Board Member, University at Buffalo School of Law Alumni Association (1990–1992)
Choose Love Founder, Scarlett Lewis, Receives The Global Presence 2019 Humanitarian Award
My Mentor
Mentors play a crucial role in personal and professional development, offering guidance, support, and valuable insights from their experiences. They help mentees navigate challenges, set and achieve goals, and build confidence. Their wisdom and encouragement can significantly enhance the mentee's skills, knowledge, and career trajectory, making mentorship an indispensable element of success. Manuel del Valle, Esq., has been and continues to be my mentor, advisor, colleague, former professor, and friend. With academic credentials that include Princeton University (B.A.) Yale University School of Law (J.D.) and London School of Economics and Political Science (LL.M.), focusing on International Law. Manuel is an experienced Administrative Law Judge with a demonstrated history of working in the Alternative Dispute Resolution industry, Disability Discrimination, Civil Rights Law, Severance, and Restrictive Covenants. As a law professor, he has guided the admission into law practice for many and continues to do so and inspire.
