MCC Daily Tribune
Dr. Jennifer Burris Appointed President of SUNY Buffalo State University
Dr. Burris Currently Serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University
Albany, NY — The State University of New York Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to name Dr. Jennifer Burris as president of SUNY Buffalo State University. Dr. Burris currently serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2026.
"Congratulations to Dr. Burris on her appointment as SUNY Buffalo State University’s next president. I am confident her extensive experience as a faculty member, administrator, and researcher will help the campus continue on a path to a strong future, and I look forward to working with her to advance the success of our students," SUNY Chancellor King said. "I also want to thank President Bonita Durand for her leadership and service to Buffalo State University. During this presidential transition, President Durand has moved Buffalo State University forward in a positive direction, both fiscally and in enhancing student success and academic excellence. We are grateful for her service, and dedication to the college’s extraordinary students."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jennifer Burris as the next president of SUNY Buffalo State University. Thank you to the search committee for their work and their commitment to helping move Buffalo State University forward. We want to extend our profound gratitude to President Durand who has worked tirelessly to support SUNY Buffalo State, coming out of her well-earned retirement to lead the campus over the past few years. We look forward to Dr. Burris building on Dr. Durand’s work and continuing to ensure Buffalo State has a sustainable and thriving future."
SUNY Buffalo State University Incoming President Dr. Jennifer Burris said, "I am deeply honored to be named the eleventh president of Buffalo State University. I am grateful to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chairman Tisch, and Chancellor King for entrusting me with this opportunity. I was drawn to this position because of Buffalo State’s place as SUNY’s urban-engaged anchor institution, a powerhouse for social mobility that creates life-changing opportunities for first-generation and transfer students. I want to thank President Bonita Durand for her dedicated stewardship; I am proud to build upon the foundation she and the faculty and staff have strengthened. My first priority is to listen to our students, our faculty, our staff, and the Western New York community, as we write the next chapter of Buffalo State’s storied history together."
Linda Dobmeier, Chair of the SUNY Buffalo State University Council and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said, "Meeting Dr. Jennifer L. Burris, you immediately sense a leader whose values align perfectly with the mission of Buffalo State as a student-centered, access-focused institution. It wasn't just her formidable record that captured our attention — it was her genuine warmth, her commitment to first-generation students, and her understanding of our university’s vital role in supporting and strengthening our local community. Dr. Burris has closed structural deficits through data-informed planning, driven gains in enrollment and retention, and built support systems that keep students on a path to graduation. Her commitment to student success is not an aspiration — it is her track record. As a transparent, empathetic leader and advocate for the affordability and social mobility that make Buffalo State indispensable to Western New York, I am proud to welcome Dr. Burris as our 11th President."
The SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor King thanked Dr. Bonita Durand, who has led Buffalo State University as Interim President since June 2023. Interim President Durand had initially retired in 2018, following 22 years of service to SUNY Buffalo State, but came out of retirement to lead the school forward and support efforts to meet the evolving needs of students and the Western New York community. In honor of her service, the SUNY Board of Trustees today adopted a resolution reappointing Dr. Durand as President for the remainder of her tenure.
Congressmember Tim Kennedy said, "SUNY Buffalo State University is essential to the fabric of Buffalo and all of Western New York. With incoming President Dr. Jennifer Burris, we will have an experienced leader who can move Buffalo State forward, and ensure our students get the high-quality education and college experience they deserve. I also want to thank outgoing President Bonnie Durand for stepping up to lead Buffalo State during a tumultuous time, and for everything she's done to set Buffalo State on a positive course for the long-term future."
State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes (BSU ‘74/02) said, "I am excited to hear of the selection of Dr. Jennifer Burris as the new President at Buffalo State University. In addition to being a strong academic leader, Dr. Burris is someone who builds community both within and outside of the university. As a Buffalo State alumna, I welcome Dr. Burris with open arms and look forward to this new era at Buffalo State University."
State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "SUNY Chancellor John King is a stellar leader with a vision for strengthening the future of Buffalo State University, and that includes supporting Dr. Jennifer Burris as the university’s next president. I look forward to seeing how Dr. Burris’ years of experience in higher education will benefit the college students of Western New York."
State Senator Jeremy Zellner (BSU ‘05) said, "SUNY Buffalo State University is a critical institution that means a great deal to me, both as a State Senator and as a proud graduate. I’m grateful for the thoughtful, diligent work that led to the selection of President Jennifer Burris, and I commend everyone involved in this important process. As this new chapter begins, I remain committed to working closely with President Burris and standing alongside the campus community to support its continued growth, success, and impact across Western New York."
State Assemblymember Patrick Burke (BSU ‘06) said, "As a proud graduate of Buffalo State University and someone who cares deeply about the success of the institution, I want to welcome Dr. Burris to our community. I look forward to seeing how her experience, leadership, and commitment to student success will help guide us in this next chapter."
State Assemblymember William Conrad (BSU ‘04) said, "SUNY Buffalo State University provides an excellent and affordable education for students from all backgrounds across our state, preparing them to succeed in their career pursuits. The SUNY campus is truly an economic engine for our state, and I am excited to welcome Dr. Jennifer Burris to lead the campus in its next chapter and be a key partner in the work ahead for our community."
State Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, "The City of Buffalo, and the entire Western New York region, is fortunate to have an institution like SUNY Buffalo State University providing affordable, high quality public higher education. Through the leadership of President Bonnie Durand, Buffalo State has taken important steps to achieve long-term fiscal stability. With incoming President Jennifer Burris, we will have a leader who will build on those actions and move Buffalo State University forward. I look forward to partnering with President Burris, and I congratulate her on this new role and position."
State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera (BSU ‘08) said, "In Dr. Jennifer Burris, Buffalo State has chosen a proven, forward-thinking leader and I’m excited to welcome her to Western New York. Throughout her career, Dr. Burris has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, and fostering inclusive, collaborative environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive. Her experience leading academic innovation, strengthening student support systems, and building meaningful partnerships will be invaluable as Buffalo State continues to grow its impact. I look forward to working with Dr. Burris as she builds on the university’s strong foundation and helps shape the next chapter of opportunity for Buffalo State students."
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said, "Dr. Jennifer Burris brings exactly the kind of leadership Buffalo State needs at this moment. Her track record of strengthening academic institutions and restoring fiscal stability speaks for itself. Buffalo State is a vital anchor for our city and its success is directly tied to Buffalo’s future. I look forward to working with Dr. Burris as she leads the institution forward and helps create new opportunities for students, families, and our entire community."
About Incoming President Dr. Jennifer Burris
Dr. Jennifer Burris currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she has led efforts to advance student success and academic innovation across six colleges, the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Student Affairs, and a broad portfolio of student support, academic service divisions. Dr. Burris partners closely with deans, faculty, and staff to foster an environment where collaboration and innovation empower students from all backgrounds.
Dr. Burris’s leadership philosophy is grounded in shared governance, transparency, and valuing the contributions of every individual. She is deeply committed to advancing student success across academic and non-academic spaces, while also cultivating strong external partnerships with community members and donors to strengthen the university’s mission and resources.
A dedicated and accomplished academic leader, Dr. Burris previously held numerous leadership roles at Appalachian State University, including associate dean, chair of the Council of Chairs, and department chair. She also served as principal investigator on multiple grants, most notably a $1 million NSF:ADVANCE award focused on the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff.
Dr. Burris is a physicist by training and holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from Colorado State University and a B.S. in Applied Science (Physics Concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum.
Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
04/30/2026