Legislature Elects New Member and Re-elects Two Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Patricia Fahy today announced the Legislature’s election of Adrian I. Hale, and the re-election of Judith Chin and Aramina Vega Ferrer to the New York State Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents is comprised of 17 members elected by the Legislature for five year terms. One member is elected from each of the state’s 13 judicial districts and four members serve at-large.

“I congratulate Regent Adrian Hale on his new election to the Board of Regents as well as Judith Chin and Dr. Aramina Vega Ferrer on their reelection to a new term to this important body. The Board of Regents plays a crucial role in overseeing New York’s educational system and I have complete confidence that Regents Hale, Chin and Ferrer will serve their terms with integrity and dedication,” said Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins. “Each of these elected regents brings a unique perspective rooted in the diversity of their backgrounds and wealth experience, which will be invaluable to advance our mission of providing a world-class education to all of our students.”

“The regents elected to the Board of Regents today reflect our commitment to selecting the most qualified individuals to help guide our state’s education policy,” said Speaker Heastie. “I would like to congratulate Regents Hale, Chin and Ferrer on their elections to the Board of Regents. Year after year, this body has become more diverse and, in turn, more representative of New York’s students. I look forward to the great work they will continue to do in the years ahead.”

“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I know the vital role the Board of Regents plays in setting education policy and standards for the students of New York State and other critical functions of the State Education Department. The members of the Board of Regents elected and reelected today will bring great experience, expertise, and dedication to their roles,” said Senator Mayer. “I am pleased to offer my congratulations to Regents Chin, Ferrer and Hale. I look forward to working alongside each of you.”

“As an educator, I know the importance of the Board of Regents in shaping the state’s education system and ensuring the success of our students,” said Assemblymember Benedetto. “I would like to extend my sincerest congratulation to Regents Hale, Chin and Ferrer. I am confident each of them possesses the leadership, innovation and commitment necessary to help deliver every student in New York a high-quality education.”

“I want to congratulate Regents Chin and Ferrer on their re-election and Regent Hale on his election,” said Senator Stavisky. “The Board of Regents have a long history of service in our state going back to the colonial period, overseeing all aspects of education policy and I look forward to working with them in the days ahead."

“I wish to commend Adrian Hale on his election to the Board of Regents, and Judith Chin and Dr. Aramina Vega Ferrer on their re-election to the Board,” said Assemblymember Fahy. “Their background, experience, and commitment to academic excellence will serve New York State and our schools well as the Board continues to advance and build a high-quality education system that meets the needs of every student.”

Adrian Hale (Judicial District 7) has more than 16 years of leadership, economic and workforce development and education advocacy experience. Hale currently serves as director of economic and community development for Foundry Digital. Hale also worked at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce where he oversaw workforce development initiatives and led the chamber's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Hale also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, and afterward enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he served for three more years.

Judith Chin (Judicial District 11) was elected to the Board of Regents in 2015. A lifelong educator, Regent Chin spent more than three decades working for the New York City Department of Education where she served as a teacher, principal, and numerous other leadership roles including as a supervising superintendent for more than 230 schools across the five boroughs. Regent Chin most recently served as the project leader for strategic development for the Reading and Writing Project at the Teachers College at Columbia University.