About Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D.
In recognition of her outstanding service to Buffalo State University, Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., was named the 10th president of Buffalo State University on April 28, 2026.
Durand retired in 2018 after 22 years of service to SUNY Buffalo State, where she served as chief of staff and secretary to the Buffalo State Council. Durand served under five presidents at Buffalo State during her tenure. In addition, she was a graduate faculty member in the university’s Higher Education Administration Department, where she taught courses on the history of American higher education and strategic planning and finance in higher education.
Durand provided leadership to countless committees and working groups at Buffalo State, including the Middle States accreditation steering committee, the presidential inauguration support committees, the facilities master planning committee, and the presidential search advisory committees. She has also served as the faculty advisor for the collegiate chapter of the National Council of Negro Women and the campus adviser for the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
An active member of the Western New York community, Durand has dedicated her time to numerous organizations across the city and region.
Fundraising Activity
During her three years as President, Buffalo State generated more than $31 million in fundraising activity, including:
$6.3 million in new multi-year commitments
$10.4 million in new irrevocable planned gifts
$3.5 million in one-time cash gifts
$2.4 million through annual giving and events
$3.9 million in realized planned gifts
$4.7 million in gift collections supporting student and program priorities