9. Stuart Rabinowitz

As the president of the largest private university on Long Island, Hofstra’s Stuart Rabinowitz holds one of the most profound positions in the region. His role is to help facilitate the growth and cultivation of young minds. Higher education is the foundation of today’s economy, and by continually expanding and improving the Island’s premier institution of higher learning, Rabinowitz is helping to keep Hofstra on the forefront of academia, regionally and nationwide. For the Island, that means he’s been helping to stem the exodus of our top local talent leaving our shores for somewhere else. Since he took the helm in 2001, Hofstra has flourished in both size and stature. Thanks to his collaboration, the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine has pioneered medical education, and its graduates are out in the world leading the way to improving public health. It’s Rabinowitz who is responsible for bringing two presidential debates to campus—increasing the school’s reputation nationally as a center of academic excellence. He also has his finger on the pulse of our economy as the co-chair of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, and was recently appointed to an investigatory panel to review—and improve—Nassau County’s flawed contracting process. His legacy characterized by sheer excellence both inside and outside the classroom, Rabinowitz’ tenure has elevated not just Hofstra, but all of Long Island as a whole.