Dennis Walcott

Dennis M. Walcott
Chair of the New York City Districting Commission
In office
March 7, 2022  December 31, 2022
Appointed byEric Adams
Chancellor of the
New York City Department of Education
In office
April 17, 2011  December 31, 2013
MayorMichael Bloomberg
Preceded byCathie Black
Succeeded byCarmen Fariña
Deputy Mayor of New York City for Education
In office
January 1, 2002  April 17, 2011
MayorMichael Bloomberg
Preceded byposition established
Personal details
Born (1951-09-07) September 7, 1951
Queens, New York
NationalityAmerican
SpouseDenise St. Hill
Alma materUniversity of Bridgeport (B.Ed., M.Ed.)
Fordham University (MSW)

Dennis M. Walcott (born September 7, 1951) is the former Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. He succeeded Cathie Black, who resigned in April 2011 after only three months on the job. He was succeeded as chancellor by Carmen Fariña. He is the president and chief executive officer of Queens Public Library.

Although Walcott lacks training as a schools administrator, he served nine years as New York City Deputy Mayor for Education and was a member of the NYC Board of Education. He required a waiver from the New York State Education Department under Education Commissioner David M. Steiner. Walcott is a former employee at Amistad Day Care Center and holds a master's degree in the education field.

Prior to joining Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2002 as Deputy Mayor for Education, he headed the New York chapter of the Urban League. In March 2016, Walcott was selected as president and CEO of the Queens Public Library and was criticized for overseeing the Library's first branch closure despite increased funding.