The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Phyllis Camesano

Newly appointed State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will visit Buffalo State College on June 22 and 23 as part of her statewide tour of the university system this summer. The tour, which includes visits to all 64 SUNY campuses, will allow Zimpher to meet with campus leaders, hear various concerns, and learn the strengths and challenges of each institution.

The briefings are the first step in developing a comprehensive SUNY Strategic Plan for the next five to 10 years. Meetings in Albany this fall will help craft the plan, which is expected to be completed by spring 2010.

“There is method to our madness,” Zimpher said. “We want to declare this the first phase in a comprehensive plan.” She also stressed the importance of collaboration, saying she is a “strong believer that vision is derived at the hands of many.”

The chancellor’s visit to Buffalo State begins with a perimeter tour of the campus followed by a day of meetings with the president, provost, vice presidents, faculty, staff, students, union leaders, and the College Council. An evening reception on June 23, cohosted with the University at Buffalo, will introduce Zimpher to foundation board members, elected officials, community leaders, alumni, and donors.

Throughout the tour, Zimpher will be accompanied by her husband, Kenneth R. Howey, research professor at SUNY Albany and visiting fellow with the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. Howey is a nationally recognized expert and researcher in the field of teacher preparation, particularly in urban settings. Buffalo State’s School of Education dean and faculty members will host separate meetings for Howey.

Zimpher became the 12th chancellor of SUNY, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive system of public higher education, on June 1. She is the first woman in the 60-year history of the system to be named to the post. She comes to the position after a six-year tenure as president of the University of Cincinnati (UC), where she served as the institution’s first female president.

Under her leadership, UC embarked on a comprehensive process that involved a wide spectrum of the university’s stakeholders and resulted in the strategic vision “UC|21: Defining the New Urban Research University.” The university has also experienced enrollment growth to more than 37,000 students, increased retention and graduation rates, improved student satisfaction, and enhanced national rankings—including the Princeton Review’s 2009 best colleges list.

Zimpher holds a bachelor’s degree in English education and speech, a master’s degree in English literature, and a Ph.D. in teacher education and higher education administration, all from the Ohio State University.

For ongoing updates about the chancellor’s 64-campus tour, visit the SUNY Web site.