About Buffalo State University

Founded in 1871, SUNY Buffalo State University is one of the largest comprehensive institutions in the State University of New York system. As a civic, urban-engaged campus, Buffalo State prides itself on having smaller learning environments coupled with large university opportunities. We are a diverse and inclusive campus committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Our mission is to change lives, to empower students to succeed, and to inspire a lifelong passion for learning. 

Buffalo State has a long-standing commitment to education and challenges its students to pursue rigorous, transformative learning experiences so they have the means and the resilience to make an impact on their community and the wider world. 

Campus sign with Rockwell tower

About the Search

With the retirement of former president Katherine Conway-Turner, Buffalo State seeks its next president.

Buffalo State’s 10th president will be an outstanding leader with the capacity and aptitude for collaboration and the ability to communicate, inspire, and reflect the aspirations of the university across multiple audiences.

The search committee is chaired by Linda A. Dobmeier, ’71, chair of the Buffalo State Council, and is being assisted by Storbeck Search.
 

Linda Dobmeier headshot

From the Buffalo State Council

We are pleased to announce that the bidding committee has retained Storbeck Search to partner with Buffalo State University in its 2023 presidential search process. 

With decades of experience working with colleges, universities, and university systems, Storbeck Search has successfully led executive-level searches for many institutions, including the most recent presidential searches at SUNY Brockport, Cortland, Empire State, and Fredonia.

 

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About the Search Firm

With a deep understanding of the unique challenges of higher education leadership and a strong understanding of shared governance, Storbeck Search brings a collaborative approach to the presidential search process that is based on listening and trust.

Storbeck Search is a part of Diversified Search Group, the world’s largest woman-founded executive search firm. Storbeck identifies and evaluates executives from all backgrounds, treating candidates fairly and with dignity.

 

Storbeck Search Coordinators

Vicki Henderson headshot

Vicki Henderson

Vicki Henderson's career in higher education recruiting began more than 20 years ago. She has led and managed recruitment efforts for college and university president, provost, dean, and director searches, as well as searches for leaders in development, student affairs, finance and administration, and institutional effectiveness, at both public and private institutions.

Vicki's full bio.
Christopher Lee headshot

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee is widely known as an expert on the Search Committee process, having authored two books and having trained over 1,000 HR professionals on the subject over the past 20 years. While serving at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), Lee led the search process to select over 30 presidents of the 23-college system over his 13-year tenure.

Christopher's full bio.
Steve Leo headshot

Steve Leo

A seasoned search professional with more than two decades of experience in higher education executive search, Steve Leo has conducted searches for presidents, vice presidents, senior development officers, deans, and other executives. Moreover, Leo speaks on issues relating to the future of leadership in higher education nationally and internationally.

Steve's full bio.

Search Committee

Linda Dobmeier, Chair
Buffalo State Council Representative

Naila Ansari 
Faculty Representative, School of Arts and Sciences

Shannon Budin
Faculty Representative, School of Education 

Pete Grum 
Buffalo State Council Representative

Cheryl Hamilton
Designated Member of the Chancellor’s Senior Staff

Maureen Hammett
Alumni Representative

Andrew Hashey
Faculty Representative, School of Education

Michael Littman
Faculty Representative, School of the Professions

Chuck Naughton
Buffalo State Council Representative

 

Wendy Paterson
Academic Dean Representative, School of Education

Ramona Santa Maria 
Faculty Representative, School of the Professions

Tracy Sawicki
Foundation Board Representative

Mark Severson
Faculty Representative, School of Arts and Sciences

Esmeralda Sierra
Community Representative

Celestine Simmons
Professional or Support Staff Representative

Mo Sumbundu
Buffalo State Council Representative 

Dylan Williams
Student Representative   

Robert Zak
Buffalo State Council Representative

Howard Zemsky
Business Leader Representative

Non-Voting Members

LeVar Burke
Campus Staff Liaison 

Zulaika Rodriguez-Awoliyi 
Chancellor’s Liaison

 

 

 

Search Firm Bidding Committee

Nancy Cox, Buffalo State Foundation Board Member
Lisa Morrison-Fronckowiak, Buffalo State Chief Diversity Officer (Interim)
Charles Naughton, Buffalo State Council Member
Zulaika Rodriguez- Awoliyi, SUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor
Jamie Warnes, Buffalo State Assistant Vice President for Human Resources