Legislature Elects Two Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley B. Mayer, Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Toby Ann Stavisky and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Alicia Hyndman today announced the Legislature has elected Janice Weinman Shorenstein and reelected Patrick A. Mannion 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.

“Congratulations to Patrick A. Mannion and Janice Weinman Shorenstein on their elections to the Board of Regents. I’m looking forward to their diverse experience and expertise enhancing the Board’s work overseeing New York State’s education policy, and I welcome the opportunity to work with them to deliver the finest education to students in New York,” said Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins.

“We are committed to giving every student in our state access to a world class education, from the youngest children up through those pursuing a degree at SUNY or CUNY,” Speaker Heastie said. “I believe the knowledgeable individuals we elected to the Board of Regents today have the experience necessary to serve our students and schools. Congratulations to Patrick Mannion and to Janice Weinman Shorenstein on their elections.”

Senate Education Committee Chair Mayer said, “As chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I am pleased to join my colleagues in announcing the election and re-election of members to the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents plays a vital role in guiding education policy and setting high standards for students across New York State. I am confident that those elected and re-elected will bring experience, thoughtful leadership, and expertise as they continue their important work that will benefit all students across the state. Congratulations to Regent Janice Weinman Shorenstein on your election, and to Regent Patrick A. Mannion on your re-election. I look forward to working alongside you and all members of the Board of Regents as we work to fulfill our obligation to ensure a quality education for all children in New York, regardless of their zip code.”

“Congratulations our new and returning regents,” Assembly Education Committee Chair Benedetto said. “I have seen firsthand as an educator the impact the Board of Regents has on our schools and our students, and believe that these experienced professionals will help give our kids a great education and bright future.”

“For the past 242 years, the New York State Board of Regents has played a significant role in shaping educational policy in our State,” said Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Stavisky. “New York State is unique in its election process, and it reflects the seriousness of this responsibility. Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were among the first to serve in this position, and today, that tradition of thoughtful educational leadership endures. The election of Janice Weinman Shorenstein and the re-election of Patrick A. Mannion continue that commitment to high standards and public service.”

“Congratulations to Patrick Mannion and Janice Weinman Shorenstein on their elections to the New York State Board of Regents, “Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Alicia Hyndman said, “The Board of Regents has the monumental task of serving and shaping our state’s schools, the diverse needs of our students, and I know they have the experience and knowledge to do the job.”

Patrick A. Mannion (fifth Judicial District) was first elected to serve as regent in 2024.He served as vice chair of the Columbian Financial Group in Syracuse prior to his retirement in 2020, and currently is an active member of the Fayetteville Fire Department where he is a firefighter, emergency medical technician, lieutenant and public information officer. Previously he served as chairman, president and CEO of Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Janice Weinman Shorenstein (at large) serves as CEO of Education Through Music, which provides music education as a core subject to 20,000 students in New York City. Previously, she was CEO of Hadassah and president of Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. Over her career, she has also served as vice president of Academic Affairs at the Fashion Institute of Technology and special assistant to the U.S. commissioner of Education.