Kristie Patten, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, became the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development on July 1, 2026.
Before joining as Dean, Patten was Counselor to the NYU President, overseeing the priorities of the Office of the President and acting as a key liaison to the Office of the Provost and major administrative units to coordinate planning, implementation, and assessment around these joint efforts. Patten has been at NYU since 2007 and is also a Professor of Occupational Therapy. She served as Vice Dean of Academic Affairs at Steinhardt and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy.
As a professor, her research examines strength based practices in inclusive public school settings. Patten is the Principal Investigator of the NYU Steinhard’s ASD Nest Program, supporting New York City Public Schools’ largest inclusion program for autistic students, and is on the NYCPS Special Education Advisory Council. She co-chairs the Global Center for Inclusion’s Research Collaborative and co-founded, along with colleagues from the Moses Center, the NYU Connections program for neurodivergent students at NYU. She is currently Co-PI of an NSF grant that engages autistic college students mentoring autistic high school students in STEM interests and career pathways.
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Q&A with Dean Kristie Patten
Here, Patten discusses her mindset and priorities as she begins her deanship, as well as what’s on the horizon for the future.
Tell us a little about your background.
I am one of six kids—three boys and three girls—and I grew up in Lansing, Michigan, before moving to the East Coast when I was in the eighth grade. I’ve been interested in occupational therapy (OT) since I worked with kids who had muscular dystrophy in high school and I learned about the career path from an OT at that summer camp.
I’m a first-generation college student—the first in my family to receive a bachelor’s degree, specifically in OT from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. I then worked as an OT in private practice, schools, and hospitals.
Kristie Patten hoods a 2025 doctoral graduate
I particularly loved my time in public schools working with kids with disabilities, so I went to Temple University and earned my master’s in advanced OT with a specialization in pediatrics. I was very interested in the research aspect and understanding more about how kids were learning or not, so I followed up with a PhD in educational psychology from Temple. I’ve always thought that my blend of academic backgrounds aligns perfectly within Steinhardt’s interdisciplinary mold.
After that, I began working at Temple as a fieldwork coordinator and pediatrics instructor in the OT department. In 2007, I was contacted by NYU for a tenure-track position. I had no intention of leaving Temple, but I came to New York and ended up having a three-hour lunch with Dorothy Siegel, co-founder of NYU’s Nest Support Project, which sold me on the possibilities at Steinhardt. Nineteen years later, here I am.
How do you characterize your leadership style?
I believe deeply in the power of strength and kindness as defining characteristics of leadership. These principles have guided my nearly two decades at NYU, and they shape how I lead, listen, and act.
My research has advanced this perspective by reshaping how we understand autism and neurodiversity, emphasizing strengths, autonomy, and meaningful participation. It reflects my belief that institutions are most effective when they identify and invest in the strengths of their people and align those strengths with a clear, shared vision.
Kristie Patten at NSF STEM Day. ©NYU Photo Bureau: Myaskovsky
Recently, I’ve been reading Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace, which explores the idea of “mattering.” One concept that has really resonated with me is the distinction between belonging and mattering. Belonging is about feeling accepted, while mattering is about feeling valued and knowing that you contribute value to others. At Steinhardt, I believe we can create a culture where everyone not just feels but rather knows that they matter.
I also bring a strong capacity for fundraising, resource development, and institutional stewardship. Over the course of my academic career, I have raised over $38 million in federal, city, foundation grants and contracts as well as donor gifts for my own work, making me one of NYU’s most funded faculty members over the last 10 years. In a time when budgets are stretched, I also see opportunities to build a diverse funding portfolio and cultivate philanthropic partnerships that advance institutional priorities.
What do you see as Steinhardt’s biggest strengths?
I believe that NYU Steinhardt is in a place of profound opportunity as it is uniquely positioned to help people critically evaluate information and use their knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on society.
At a time when many people feel increasingly disconnected and as AI continues to reshape how we live and work, human intelligence, empathy, and connection are more important than ever. I believe Steinhardt can serve as a model for how we cultivate those qualities—not only in how we educate and train students, but also in how we build community and embody the values we teach.
Kristie Patten speaks at the inaugural event of The Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Solutions at NYU
The work we do touches nearly every aspect of the community. Whether through the media people consume, the experiences they have in hospitals and healthcare settings, the education they receive, or the communities they are part of, NYU Steinhardt is woven throughout the fabric of everyday life. That gives us a remarkable opportunity and responsibility to make a meaningful difference in how people experience the world and connect with one another.
What successes are you building on as you begin your tenure?
I am so thrilled to be accepting the reins from outgoing Dean Jack H. Knott, who set such a good example for me and other leaders here at NYU Steinhardt. In my family, we like to say that “we show up”—when there’s a wedding or a family function, we’ll be there. Jack embodied that for Steinhardt: Not only did he show up—whether it was a performance, a lecture, or a celebration—but he thoroughly enjoyed being there for the community.
Jack also built a strong foundation for fundraising and philanthropy at NYU Steinhardt. Through his leadership, he cultivated meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and partners that have strengthened the School in lasting ways. Those relationships are invaluable, and I see significant opportunities to deepen engagement and expand support for our mission.
What do you see for the future of Steinhardt?
When I think about the future, I see tremendous untapped potential. My vision is to build on the many strengths that already exist within Steinhardt, creating new opportunities, resources, and revenue streams by amplifying what we do best rather than starting from scratch.
I look forward to bolstering Steinhardt’s strong reputation for research. At a time when funding is becoming increasingly competitive, I believe we need to think strategically about how we elevate our research profile, bridge funding gaps, and create new pathways for support and collaboration.
Kristie Patten with Patricia M. Carey (PhD ’82, Psychology), former associate dean for student affairs at NYU Steinhardt and associate vice provost for diversity programs at NYU. ©Creighton: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Our relationships with New York City Public Schools, NYU Langone Health, and our Prison Education Program are true gems that demonstrate the impact of our work. Initiatives like the Ability Project, in partnership with Tandon School of Engineering and Tisch School of the Arts, show what is possible when we bring together expertise across NYU to address real-world challenges.
My goal is to build on these strengths, expand their reach, and ensure that Steinhardt continues to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the communities it serves.
Fast Facts About Dean Kristie Patten
NYU Career
- 2007–2013: Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
- 2013–2020: Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy
- 2013–2021: Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
- 2020–2023: Vice Dean of Academic Affairs at NYU Steinhardt
- 2023–2026: Counselor to the NYU President
- 2021–Present: Professor of Occupational Therapy
- July 1, 2026: Gale and Ira Drukier Dean
Leadership and Honors
Principal Investigator (PI) of Steinhardt’s Nest Support Project, co-PI of Making Mentors, and PI of the Ghanaian Institute for the Future of Teaching and Education (GIFTED) Women's Fellowship Program
Co-founder of NYU Connections
Serves on the NYCPS Special Education Advisory Council
Co-chairs the Global Center for Inclusion’s Research Collaborative
Awarded the 2022 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship, the American Occupational Therapy Association’s highest honor
Inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research in 2026
Dean Patten’s Summer Open Door Meetings
As a part of Dean Patten’s commitment to belonging and inclusion, she will be conducting “open door” meetings over the summer with members of the NYU Steinhardt community. Faculty, staff, researchers, and administrators are invited to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Dean during her office hours through August 31 to share their perspectives and discuss challenges and opportunities.