Long Island University has named Kimberly R. Cline as its first woman president in its 87-year history. Currently, she is the president of Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry.

Cline will succeed David Steinberg, who's retiring after serving the university for 27 years.

She is set to assume her new responsibility as the university's 10th president, beginning July.

Cline, 54, hopes to improve collaboration between the university's urban and suburban campuses and administration and faculty; increase campus endowments; build partnerships with industry and research institutions and reduce overall expenses.

"There is no institution quite like LIU," Cline said. "There are great strengths and opportunities in the diversity of its campuses, students and academic programs. I look forward to capitalizing on the synergies between its urban and suburban campuses to increase the University-wide value proposition for the students, faculty and communities LIU serves."

Her list of goals for the university also features introducing strategic enrolment and retention models and building the university's national profile.

Earlier, as president of Mercy College since 2008, she helped increase the college's endowment from $20 million to $70 million, made significant investments in academics, launched a nationally recognized student retention program; created new academic programs and centers in areas such as entrepreneurship, strategic consulting, social justice and global engagement and elevated technology training for faculty.

As a result of all these accomplishments, the college earned its first A credit rating from Standard and Poor.

Cline earned her B.S. in industrial relations from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Master of Business Administration, a Juris Doctor and a Doctor of Educational Administration from Hofstra University.