Michael E. Steiper

Michael E. Steiper, PhD became the seventh president of Purchase College in August 2025.

Dr. Steiper is a mission-driven academic leader dedicated to faculty and student success who previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CUNY’s College of Staten Island (CSI).

At CSI, Dr. Steiper coordinated the campus’ vision for student success, contributing to strong increases in student retention and growth in enrollment. He oversaw the development and implementation of academic programs and policies and represents the campus on CUNY system-wide initiatives.

Prior to his time at CSI, Dr. Steiper spent two decades at Hunter College, where he had roles as a faculty member and administrator, most recently as Associate Provost for Academic Success, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Analytics. During his time at Hunter, he served as the inaugural director of Hunter’s Human Biology Program, now the college’s second largest major. He led an active research lab that explored key questions in primate evolution and mentored students at all levels, many of whom have gone on to careers in academia and STEM fields.

As a biological anthropologist, Dr. Steiper’s research centers on human and primate evolution, with particular emphasis on primate molecular evolution, the relationship between genetic and fossil records, and the interplay between skeletal and genetic variation. His work primarily utilizes genetic and bioinformatic techniques, and he has participated in paleontological fieldwork across three continents.

Dr. Steiper is a lifelong New Yorker and current Westchester resident who earned his PhD and MA from Harvard University and his bachelor’s from New York University.