About the President
Dr. Jennifer Burris has been named president of SUNY Buffalo State University by the SUNY Board of Trustees. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2026.
“I am deeply honored to be named the 11th president of Buffalo State University,” Burris said. “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.”
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 currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University, and previously held numerous leadership roles at Appalachian State University, including associate dean, chair of the Council of Chairs, and department chair.
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.
For questions about the presidential transition, please email presidentialsearch@buffalostate.edu.
Photo by Nolan Metcalf