Cheryl Hamilton serves as the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Opportunity Programs, and Student Advocacy for the State University of New York (SUNY) system, where she has dedicated her career to expanding educational access, equity, and student success across New York State. A passionate advocate for underserved and historically marginalized students, Hamilton has spent decades advancing the mission of opportunity programs and championing the transformative power of higher education.
Hamilton elevates and leads the Chancellor’s more student-centric priorities for his administration. As student advocate, Hamilton oversees: Student-Centric Initiatives, Disability Services, Veterans and Military Affairs, Child Care Services, Substance Abuse Services, Chancellor’s Student Excellence Awards, and the Student Assembly—the student elective governance body.
Prior to her leadership role within the SUNY System Administration, Hamilton served as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Stony Brook University. During her tenure, she became widely respected for her student-centered leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and unwavering support of first-generation and economically disadvantaged students. Her work at Stony Brook helped strengthen pathways to retention, graduation, leadership development, and holistic student support for countless EOP scholars.
Throughout her career, Hamilton has remained deeply committed to the founding principles of SUNY’s opportunity programs: providing access, support, and advocacy for students who demonstrate tremendous potential despite economic and educational barriers. Her leadership has helped shape statewide initiatives focused on student engagement, belonging, equity, and academic achievement, while also elevating the voices and experiences of students across the SUNY system.
Areas of Expertise: student life, opportunity programs, disability services