Dr. Lisa R. Braverman is Dean of the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS), the City University of New York’s premier online institution, where she oversees the School’s efforts to provide top-rated online degree, certificate, and workplace learning programs to working adults who are seeking to finish a bachelor’s degree, progress from an associate’s degree, earn a master’s degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers.
Dr. Braverman is a national leader in adult, online, and continuing higher education whose experience includes more than 25 years in senior leadership roles in public, private, and online colleges.
She comes to CUNY SPS from Mercy College, where she served as assistant vice president of workforce credentialing and community impact. In her role there, Dr. Braverman helped spearhead a new division of the college that develops workforce programming and credentials for adult and professional studies learners.
Prior to this, Dr. Braverman served as vice provost for academic and faculty affairs at Excelsior College and spent four years in the role of dean of the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In addition, she has served as chief academic officer at Jones International University, associate provost for adult programs at Long Island University, dean of continuing and professional studies at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology, and dean of extended education at New York Institute of Technology.
An active participant in professional associations, Dr. Braverman has served on the board of directors for the University Continuing Professional Education Association and the Association for Continuing Higher Education; in 2021, ACHE awarded her its individual leadership award. In addition, she is a published author of chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals and books about online, adult, and continuing education.
Dr. Braverman earned a doctorate and two master’s degrees from New York University and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University.
Dr. Braverman is a national leader in adult, online, and continuing higher education whose experience includes more than 25 years in senior leadership roles in public, private, and online colleges.
She comes to CUNY SPS from Mercy College, where she served as assistant vice president of workforce credentialing and community impact. In her role there, Dr. Braverman helped spearhead a new division of the college that develops workforce programming and credentials for adult and professional studies learners.
Prior to this, Dr. Braverman served as vice provost for academic and faculty affairs at Excelsior College and spent four years in the role of dean of the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In addition, she has served as chief academic officer at Jones International University, associate provost for adult programs at Long Island University, dean of continuing and professional studies at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology, and dean of extended education at New York Institute of Technology.
An active participant in professional associations, Dr. Braverman has served on the board of directors for the University Continuing Professional Education Association and the Association for Continuing Higher Education; in 2021, ACHE awarded her its individual leadership award. In addition, she is a published author of chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals and books about online, adult, and continuing education.
Dr. Braverman earned a doctorate and two master’s degrees from New York University and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University.
Vynessa Ortiz is Associate Dean and Chief Student Experience Officer at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, where she has led the Office of Student Services since January 2026. Previously, she spent five years as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, where she developed innovative programming and managed large-scale student-facing services.
Her commitment to educational equity spans her entire career, from her early work as an EOP advisor to leadership roles with the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) and the East Harlem Tutorial Program, organizations where mentorship is central to helping students thrive. Vynessa holds a Master of Science in Higher Education from The Pennsylvania State University and is completing her PhD in Educational Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center, where her research focuses on academic emotions in online learning environments. She also teaches psychology and education courses at Fordham University and Queens College.
Her commitment to educational equity spans her entire career, from her early work as an EOP advisor to leadership roles with the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) and the East Harlem Tutorial Program, organizations where mentorship is central to helping students thrive. Vynessa holds a Master of Science in Higher Education from The Pennsylvania State University and is completing her PhD in Educational Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center, where her research focuses on academic emotions in online learning environments. She also teaches psychology and education courses at Fordham University and Queens College.
