Vice Provost and Interim Chief Diversity Officer André McKenzie, Ed.D., to address St. John’s University Class of 2022

St. John’s University Vice Provost and Interim Chief Diversity Officer André McKenzie, Ed.D., will serve as the distinguished speaker and honoree at St. John’s University’s undergraduate Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 22, at 10 a.m., the University announced today. 

Dr. McKenzie, affectionately known as “Doc,” will be honored with the President’s Medal and will address the 2,343 undergraduates of the Class of 2022. Dr. McKenzie is a highly sought-after speaker and author on issues related to diversity, education, equity, and inclusion. His publications, professional activities, mentoring, and grant writing have advanced St. John’s and the students served at the Catholic and Vincentian institution celebrating its 152nd academic year.

A long-serving member of the St. John’s administration, Dr. McKenzie began his career in 1986 as Assistant Dean of Student Development, becoming Director of the Office of Opportunity Programs two years later, and then Assistant Vice President, Division of Special and Opportunity Programs. After a brief stint as Acting Dean of St. Vincent’s College (now The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies), he accepted the position of Associate Vice President, Student Advising and Retention. In 1999, he was appointed Vice President, Division of Academic Support Services, a role he held until 2016 when he was appointed Vice Provost for Academic Support Services. Dr. McKenzie has served as Interim Chief Diversity Officer since July 2021. 

The University also will bestow a pair of honorary doctoral degrees. Margaret La Rosa D’Angelo ’70Ed, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, and Sr. Caroline Tweedy, R.S.M., Executive Director of the St. John’s Bread and Life outreach organization in Brooklyn, NY, will both receive Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.

The undergraduate Commencement is one of seven the University will host beginning on Monday, May 16. Details about the Undergraduate exercises are as follows:

Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises 
Sunday, May 22 
10 a.m., Great Lawn, Queens, NY, Campus 

PRESIDENT’S MEDAL RECIPIENT AND COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: André McKenzie, Ed.D., Vice Provost and Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Office of the Provost, St. John’s University 

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS: 

• Margaret La Rosa D’Angelo ’70Ed, Member, Board of Trustees, St. John’s University, Doctor of Humane Letters 
• Sr. Caroline Tweedy, R.S.M., Executive Director, St. John’s Bread and Life, Brooklyn, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters