Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The long search is over for new leadership at a pair of State University of New York (SUNY) campuses in Western New York.
During a SUNY Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, members approved and appointed Dr. Chance Glenn as the new president of Buffalo State University, while also appointing Dr. Adiam Tsegai as the new president of Erie Community College.
Dr. Glenn takes over as the 10th president of SUNY Buffalo State, following the retirement of Katherine Conway-Turner at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Conway-Turner had served as the campus' president for eight years, and had spent 43 years in higher education leadership at the time of her retirement.
Glenn, whose appointment is effective July 1, 2024, is a professor of electrical engineering, an inventor, and an innovator with over 30 years of experience. He has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Houston-Victoria since 2019.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead Buffalo State University and partner with the SUNY campuses in the Western region and across the state," said Dr. Glenn in a statement. "Academics and research have played an integral role in my career, and I am excited to build on the excellent education provided by Buffalo State. My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor John King, and the Buffalo State search committee for this appointment."
Glenn received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland, and his master of science and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a certificate for management development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
He previously served as the dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences at Alabama A&M University. He also served as associate dean in the Office of Graduate Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
As for Dr. Tsegai, she had been serving as the college’s Officer-in-Charge since 2022 when former college president David Balkin was suspended. She was later voted to serve as ECC's acting president back in February.
Dr. Tsegai was also the college's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a position she was appointed to in mid-2021, after serving as the college’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs of Health Sciences, Engineering and Technologies. She joined SUNY Erie as the Dean of Engineering and Technologies in 2018.
An alumna of SUNY Erie and the Educational Opportunity Program, having earned her associate degree in liberal arts and social science, Dr. Tsegai went on to study at the University at Buffalo, where she received her bachelor of arts in psychology and African American studies, her master of education in general education, and her doctorate in educational and leadership policy and social foundations.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown released a statement regarding the announcement of both appointments on Tuesday:
"As Mayor of the City of Buffalo, I want to congratulate Dr. Glenn on his appointment as President of Buffalo State University and Dr. Tsegai on her appointment as President of SUNY Erie Community College. Both bring a diverse background and a skill set that will serve them and their students well in their new roles. I look forward to working with them as we continue to grow Buffalo and Western New York. I also want to recognize SUNY Chancellor John King for his leadership in ensuring these local educational institutions are led by the very best."