Alberto J.F. Cardelle, Ph.D.

Alberto Cardelle has been the president of SUNY Oneonta since September 2021. From the start, he’s been focused on building community and making sure students, faculty, and staff have what they need to thrive. At the heart of his work is a belief in the power of public higher education, a commitment to equity, and a genuine optimism about the future and the impact the next generation can make.

Before coming to SUNY Oneonta, Alberto served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. He also held roles as a vice provost, dean, and assistant professor at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. His career began in public health, working with global organizations like the World Health Organization, the American Medical Student Association, UNICEF, and Oxfam America.

At SUNY Oneonta, Alberto has focused on strengthening connections between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community—building a culture of collaboration, inclusion, transparency, respect, and wellness. He’s also led the development of an ambitious 10-year strategic plan, launched new partnerships with nearby colleges and universities, and created local workforce development programs to support the region.

Alberto serves on the boards of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the New York State Health Equity Council, the NCAA Division III President’s Council, and Springbrook NY. He also represents SUNY Oneonta in the American Talent Initiative, a project with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute that’s dedicated to expanding college access for talented students from low- and moderate-income families.

A first-generation American from Miami, Florida, Alberto earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Latin American Studies from Tulane University, a Master of Public Health from Boston University, and a doctorate in International Studies from the University of Miami.

He and his wife, Dr. Rachel Frick Cardelle, have three grown daughters.