The Daily Bulletin Archive

Mark Severson will step down as dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences effective August 31, 2019. Dr. Severson came to Buffalo State in August 2008 to assume the position of dean after serving as chair and professor of chemistry at Oakland University in Michigan. During his 11 years of service to Buffalo State, he led SNSS during the development of eight new master’s and two new bachelor’s degree programs, and he had a lead role in the creation of Buffalo State’s Institute for Community Health Promotion. The recently completed review of his performance by the faculty of the School of Natural and Social Sciences shows that he is held in very high regard by the faculty.

Dean Severson has taken on many roles in addition to that of dean, including special adviser to the provost for academic research initiatives, co-chair of the General Education Task Force, and leadership of the development and implementation of the 3+2 bachelor's-master's degree program in partnership with more than 10 universities in China. Dean Severson served first as co-chair and then as chair of the Committee on Undergraduate Retention. He is the principal investigator for a $553,000 SUNY Performance Improvement Fund grant to support retention initiatives, and he served on the planning committee to develop the proposal that led to the $2.2 million Title III grant awarded to Buffalo State, also focused on retention and student success. He took the lead role in implementing the Provost’s Faculty Fellowship program, which provides one- or two-year research and teaching appointments for pre- or postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented groups. His engagement with the community is demonstrated by his service on the boards of local organizations and his role as Buffalo State liaison to a number of cultural organizations.

Dean Severson will continue at Buffalo State as a professor of chemistry and dean emeritus. I thank him for his long and outstanding leadership and service to Buffalo State.