Brian A. Peterson

Brian Peterson is the senior vice president of administration and finance, dean for academic initiatives and strategic innovation, and dean for CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies.

As senior vice president, Peterson is responsible for overseeing and managing the finances and support services of The Graduate Center. As dean for academic initiatives, his priorities include leading new academic programming opportunities, such as certificates, hybrid and online courses, and non-degree offerings; advancing and strengthening global partnerships; raising the profile of the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies; and supporting The Graduate Center’s strategic planning and implementation.

Before joining The Graduate Center in 2018, Peterson was associate dean of student and community affairs at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. He led the teams that established the CUNY School of Professional Studies in 2003 and launched CUNY’s first online degree program in 2006. During his tenure at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, he supported the development of new academic programs, collaborated in developing responsive workforce development initiatives, raised scholarship funds for students, and collaborated with faculty and staff to support and promote student success.

Peterson has more than 25 years of experience in planning, leading, and administering higher education programs and initiatives. He has spearheaded large-scale workforce development programs for CUNY, and before that, for Jobs for Youth, Inc. and the National Community AIDS Partnership. A Minnesota native, he earned his B.S. in communications from St. Cloud State University and his MPA from Baruch College.