When Claudia Schrader (M.A. ’92, Ed.M. ’01, Ed.D. ’02) was in high school, she traveled from her hometown, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to Morningside Heights, where she took a two-week journalism course at Columbia University. Little did she know that many years later, in 2024, she would return a few blocks away to West 120th Street to receive TC’s Distinguished Alumni Award in honor of her robust contributions to education leadership.
A graduate of TC’s Instructional Practice and International & Transcultural Studies programs, Schrader first dedicated herself to her role as a developmental specialist, working with children and their families to navigate their specialized learning needs and environments. “I thought, if I could make a difference through early childhood education, I could help prevent children from facing significant challenges later on in life,” she shares.
But for Schrader, she quickly found she was eager to expand her impact. She decided to make the transition from the classroom to her first leadership role, becoming President of Kingsborough Community College (KCC). “I wanted to do more with my voice,” she shares, viewing her new role in the community college space as the ideal opportunity.
As the first Black president in the institution's six decade history, the TC alumna managed to quickly make history at KCC, securing a one million dollar donation—the largest in the College’s history to date— from Leonard & Louise Riggio, founders of Barnes & Noble for student scholarships. Her impact at KCC was demonstrated in increase enrollment as well as the college being selected as a finalist for the Aspen Prize. She has since held a myriad of leadership roles at Bronx Community College, William Paterson University and Medgar Evers College.
(Pictured: President Thomas Bailey and Claudia Schrader at TC's 2024 Alumni Day. Photo: TC Archives)
Above all else, Schrader shares that all her life experiences have contributed to her “rich worldview” and “profound vision” in her newest role. Recently appointed as the eighth President of York College, CUNY, she reflects, “That’s the beautiful thing about leadership—there is no textbook answer for what makes for a good leader. My leadership style is influenced by all of my diverse life experiences. It’s truly an honor to step into this position and channel everything I’ve learned towards something greater.”
“Queens is unlike any other place I’ve ever worked—there’s this overwhelming sense of true community,” she shares. “I used to live in Queens, so to be able to serve in a leadership position here felt like a true homecoming.”
During her time as Interim President, the TC alumna spent time on the grounds working with Queens elected officials and community leaders to advocate for resources and opportunities for the College and its 6,200 students.
Last year she rallied 47 different local organizations and launched the York Opportunity Network, a coalition of community-based organizations serving pre-college learners and adults to highlight York as a premier learning institution.
“There are so many grassroots community organizations in Queens, and my goal was to get them to learn more about what York has to offer,” she explains. “The initiative has since been very successful, and we’ve created so many opportunities for students to grow and thrive and for our York community to flourish.”
When asked what keeps her inspired and grounded, Schrader will tell you that all roads lead back to “community.” “It’s always special when you make a true impact in the places where you came from,” she shares.
She remains actively involved in and is a Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the Eta Omega Omega chapter in the Bronx, where she has held several leadership roles. For over 14 years, Schrader has volunteered with organizations like the Habitat for Humanity Global Village Program, building homes in Brazil, El Salvador, Vietnam, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia and Thailand for families in need.
“I feel very grateful for all of the doors that Teachers College opened for me, simply by virtue of being an alumna,” she concludes. In 2024, she was recognized by the College for her strides in higher education. “As educators, there is always work to be done, but I feel honored and humbled to have been recognized for doing it among great TC alumni like Dr. Ruth, Shirley Chisholm, and more. Teachers College laid the foundation for me to take the steps to get where I am today.”