Zohran Mamdani announced five major appointments on Wednesday just hours before he was set to be sworn in as New York City’s next mayor.

The announcement offered a first look at how his administration will take shape starting Day 1.

The announcements were made Tuesday evening in Central Park, where Mamdani stood alongside the new appointees and framed the moment as a turning point for the city.

“These are five New Yorkers standing alongside me with different responsibilities,” Mamdani said. “But they share two things in common — a commitment to deliver a better future for those who call this city home and to lead from City Hall with an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

One of the most closely watched picks was his choice for schools chancellor.

Mamdani named Kamar Samuels to lead the nation’s largest public school system. Samuels is a longtime Department of Education leader who began his career as a classroom teacher and has worked in schools and districts across the Bronx and Brooklyn.

“I’ve had every role, and in every role my focus has been the same — delivering results, rooted in care, clarity and high expectations for our students,” Samuels said.

In addition to Samuels, Mamdani announced:

The announcements also marked a notable shift in Mamdani’s position on mayoral control of city schools.

During his campaign, Mamdani had been openly critical of the system, at times questioning whether the mayor should have such broad authority over the Department of Education. On Tuesday, he acknowledged those concerns — but said his focus has changed now that he is about to take office.

Mamdani said New Yorkers deserve clarity about who is responsible for decisions affecting schools, and they deserve a mayor who listens and acts. He said his approach to mayoral control will emphasize accountability while expanding real input from parents, teachers and students.

He outlined plans to strengthen parent engagement, improve how school meetings are run so working families can attend, and make sure community voices are not just heard — but reflected in decisions.

Samuels echoed that focus, saying strong leadership must be paired with trust and support inside classrooms.

Mamdani will be sworn in at midnight on the steps of City Hall, officially beginning his term as mayor.