Five Towns College President David M. Cohen Named a 2026 Influencer in Education by Long Island Business News
Five Towns College President David M. Cohen has been named a 2026 Influencer in Education by Long Island Business News, recognizing his longstanding leadership at Five Towns College and his contributions to higher education across Long Island. Dr. Cohen is among a select group of educational leaders from colleges, universities, research institutions and workforce training programs throughout the region featured in this year’s special publication.
Long Island Business News (LIBN) is a leading source of business news and information serving the Long Island business community. Its annual Influencers special sections recognize individuals whose leadership and accomplishments are helping shape important industries and institutions across the region.
For its 2026 Influencers in Education, LIBN focused on leaders who are responding to a rapidly changing economy through academic innovation, expanded access, new technologies and stronger connections between education and workforce needs. The publication notes that, collectively, this year’s honorees are helping strengthen Long Island’s talent pipeline and shape the region’s long-term economic future.
A Longstanding Leader at Five Towns College
Dr. Cohen is one of the longest-serving college presidents on Long Island. Appointed President of Five Towns College in 2016, his history with the College dates back to 1987. He served as Provost for seven years before departing in 2009 and later returned to become the College’s third president. In the interim, he served as President of the Institute of Audio Research and as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Briarcliffe College.
Beyond Five Towns College, Dr. Cohen has played an active role in higher education leadership throughout New York. He serves as Chair of the New York-based Association of Private Colleges and is one of the founding presidents of the North American Conference for Intercollegiate Athletes, a Division 1 conference within the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association.
Dr. Cohen has also served on the accrediting commission of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and on accrediting teams representing the New York State Board of Regents, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and ACCSC. He is a trustee of the Long Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education, a group of college presidents that advises the Board of Regents on issues affecting higher education on Long Island.
Supporting the Next Generation of Creative Professionals
Dr. Cohen began his career in higher education as a financial aid administrator and admissions officer before joining the Five Towns College faculty. LIBN notes his extensive knowledge of the regulatory landscape affecting higher education and credits his leadership with expanding Five Towns College’s academic offerings and developing modern residence halls and film studios designed to better serve creative students.
These efforts reflect Five Towns College’s continuing commitment to providing career-focused education for students pursuing creative and professional fields.
Dr. Cohen is a graduate of New York Law School and the State University of New York at Oneonta.
His recognition as a 2026 Long Island Business News Influencer in Education celebrates nearly four decades of involvement with Five Towns College and his continuing leadership within the broader Long Island higher education community.
