SUNY Celebrates Success of Inaugural Critical Issues in Higher Education Conference

National Conference Generates Approximately $600,000 in Economic Activity, Tourism for Western New York   

Buffalo – The State University of New York today celebrated the success of its inaugural Critical Issues in Higher Education Conference, held this week in Buffalo. The two-day conference brought together more than 400 education officials, business and industry professionals, community partners, and others from 28 states as well as Canada and France.

According to estimates, the conference generated approximately $600,000 in economic activity and tourism revenue for Western New York, an economic impact that SUNY expects will be repeated, or bested, with future coverings to be held annually in cities and communities throughout New York State.

“Our first critical issues conference was a great success, providing a platform for hundreds of individuals who have a great stake in New York’s economic future,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “This incredibly important exchange of ideas will inform our state’s – and our nation’s -- economic agendas for years to come.”

“Future Critical Issues conferences will raise SUNY’s profile among higher education leaders nationally and inform discussions about the role that colleges and universities can and should play in driving the economy,” said SUNY Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden. “I commend Chancellor Zimpher for bringing together this vast array of thought leaders and policy makers and look forward to seeing output from the conference play out on the national stage.”

The Critical Issues in Higher Education Conference held this week was the first in a series of annual gatherings, with an inaugural theme of “Universities as Economic Drivers: Measuring and Building Success.” Participants explored how the regional economic impact of universities can be measured, incentivized, and made more effective.

This week’s and future SUNY Critical Issues conferences benefit  not only SUNY and New York, but also policy makers at every level of higher education and government who are responsible for economic development decisions that directly affect the communities they serve.

Each conference will analyze the most important topics facing national higher education through the lens of the SUNY strategic plan. The convenings will be developed as traditional academic conferences, featuring the best work conducted nationally in areas that SUNY considers critical to enhancing life in New York. Over the course of two days, plenary speakers will share national best practices in these areas.

“There is much to learn from bringing together leaders and key experts in any field, and we are confident that by sharing ideas, practices, and research findings with colleagues from around the world, we will shed new light on our collective work and find even greater ways to rebuild a thriving new economy for New York State and the nation,” Chancellor Zimpher said.

With the conferences, SUNY continues to position itself as a leader in higher education by creating an annual national dialogue that will cultivate greater understanding among leading scholars and practitioners, elected officials, business representatives, policy makers, and other concerned parties about the central roles that universities play in national, state, and local economies.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with nearly 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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