Business Educator Dr. LeRoy Mitchell - From St. Mary's Academy Dominica to Iona College USA

Dr. LeRoy W. Mitchell is a distinguished educator, accountant, and community leader with a career spanning over four decades in academia, public service, and nonprofit leadership. Early Life and Education Dr. Mitchell was born in Portsmouth, Dominica, where he attended St. John’s School before earning the St. Mary’s Staff Scholarship to study at St. Mary’s Academy. He later returned to teach at St. John’s School, eventually becoming Assistant Principal. He was awarded a Christian Brothers scholarship to attend Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, where he earned a BBA in Accounting with honors. He then received a full scholarship to complete an MBA in Accounting at Iona. While pursuing his MBA, he was recruited by Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young), where he passed the New York State CPA exam. He later joined Iona’s Accounting Department as a faculty member, eventually earning a Doctorate in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. Academic and Professional Career At Iona College, Dr. Mitchell taught Accounting at both undergraduate and graduate levels for over 40 years, serving as department chair. He also held leadership roles in professional organizations, including the Association of Community College Trustees, where he chaired from 2013–2014 and was later awarded Lifetime Membership. He is a Certified Public Accountant (New York State), Certified Government Financial Manager, and Accredited Estate Planner. He founded the CPA firm Mitchell & Pollina with his former Iona colleague Thomas M. Pollina. Public Service and Leadership Dr. Mitchell served as Secretary of the New Rochelle Industrial Development Agency for 15 years, and as President of the New Rochelle Local Development Corporation iugrad.edu.dm. In 2002, he was appointed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators to serve as a trustee of Westchester Community College, a role he held for 16 years iugrad.edu.dm. He has also served on the executive board of New York Community College Trustees and continues to serve on the National Board of the Association of Community College Trustees. Honors and Recognition He has received numerous awards, including the Kelly Award from New York State CPAs and the National Educator Award from the Association of Government Accountants. He is a past president of the Estate Planning Council of Westchester County and an active member of organizations such as the American Institute of CPAs, New York State Society of CPAs, and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils iugrad.edu.dm. Current Roles Dr. Mitchell is currently Vice-Chancellor of the Dominica-based Online University and the International University for Graduate Studies. He remains an influential figure in both the academic and community sectors, known for his dedication to education, public service, and leadership. Dr. Mitchell was a founding member of the Dominca Academy of Arts & Sciences, committed to reversing the brain drain in Dominica and recruiting Dominicans to assist in the development of their homeland.