University Appoints Dr. James O'Keefe Vice Provost for Staten Island Campus

St. John’s University has appointed James O’Keefe, Ph.D. ‘79SVC—a long-time professor and administrator with a distinguished record of service to New York City and alma mater—as vice provost of the Staten Island campus, effective January 1, 2014.

A tenured associate professor and former associate dean in the University’s College of Professional Studies, O’Keefe returns to St. John’s after a two-year leave of absence to serve as a deputy commissioner in the New York City Police Department under former Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly ’71L, ’98HON.

“The Staten Island campus is a true gem,” O’Keefe said, “and has been a prominent component of the academic, Catholic, and social fabric of Staten Island for a long time.”

In his new role, O’Keefe works closely with the deans of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, and The School of Education. In addition, he serves as a member of the University’s Provost’s Council. The author of various scholarly articles and books, O’Keefe said he also looks forward to returning to the classroom as a professor of criminal justice leadership.

O’Keefe took a leave of absence from the University in 2011 to serve as deputy commissioner of training in the NYPD. He was responsible for the education of the department’s more than 51,000 sworn and civilian members.

“I was honored to have the professional opportunity to return to the NYPD, the finest law enforcement agency in the world,” O’Keefe noted. “In the new year, however, I am extraordinarily excited and energized about the opportunity to return to St. John’s University, especially as the vice provost of the Staten Island campus.”

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