Regina Peruggi

Regina Peruggi
Name	Regina Peruggi
Birth date	1945
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Academic administrator
Known for	College presidencies, nonprofit leadership
Alma mater	Hunter College, Columbia University

Regina Peruggi is an American academic administrator and nonprofit leader who served as president of Marymount Manhattan College and Kingsborough Community College. She has held leadership roles in higher education, urban nonprofit organizations, and civic institutions in New York City. Peruggi's career spans work with Ford Foundation, municipal agencies, and private colleges, emphasizing student access, institutional development, and community partnerships.

Early life and education

Peruggi was born in Brooklyn and raised in a family with roots in Italian American communities. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hunter College and completed graduate study at Columbia University Teachers College, where she focused on curriculum and administration. Early influences included exposure to local institutions such as Coney Island neighborhood organizations and interactions with leaders from New York City Board of Education and regional colleges like City University of New York.

Academic and administrative career

Peruggi began her career in roles linked to student services and institutional planning at urban colleges and nonprofit foundations. She worked with programs funded by the Ford Foundation and collaborated with agencies such as New York City Department of Education and community organizations around workforce development and adult learning. Her administrative trajectory included positions intersecting with boards and presidents from institutions such as Baruch College, Brooklyn College, and Hunter College that shaped policy approaches to access, retention, and fundraising.

Presidency at Marymount Manhattan College

Peruggi became president of Marymount Manhattan College at a time when the college sought to expand enrollment and strengthen academic programs. During her tenure she pursued initiatives involving campus partnerships with cultural institutions like Lincoln Center, internship links with firms in Wall Street and media organizations such as The New York Times, and fundraising efforts engaging alumni and philanthropic entities including the Guggenheim Foundation and private donors active in Manhattan. Her administration emphasized career preparation, curricular innovation, and facility upgrades in the urban higher education environment.

Presidency at Kingsborough Community College

Peruggi later served as president of Kingsborough Community College, part of the City University of New York system, where she worked on student success initiatives, workforce training, and community engagement programs. She promoted collaborations with local bodies such as Brooklyn Borough President offices, maritime and hospitality employers connected to Coney Island and Brooklyn Navy Yard, and social service organizations addressing student needs. Her leadership involved grant seeking from foundations and federal programs, partnerships with institutions like SUNY campuses, and efforts to enhance campus infrastructure and student support services.

Community service and board memberships

Beyond campus presidencies, Peruggi has served on boards and advisory councils for civic and cultural organizations in New York City. Her board work connected her with institutions including The New York Public Library, regional health systems, and philanthropic groups collaborating with entities such as Robin Hood Foundation and arts organizations linked to Metropolitan Museum of Art programming. She participated in cross-sector initiatives involving elected officials from New York City Hall and nonprofit coalitions addressing urban development and educational access.

Personal life and legacy

Peruggi's personal life has intersected with public figures and civic life in New York; she is noted for long-term engagement with community leaders, donors, and public institutions. Her legacy is reflected in strengthened institutional profiles at small colleges, expanded community college services, and sustained partnerships among higher education, philanthropy, and municipal stakeholders. Peruggi is recognized among administrators who navigated urban higher education challenges alongside figures from regional institutions such as Pratt Institute, Pace University, and St. John's University.

Category:American academic administrators Category:People from Brooklyn