SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor King Announce Presidential Appointments at SUNY Delhi and Farmingdale State College
June 26, 2024
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New York, NY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Mary H. Bonderoff as president of SUNY Delhi and Dr. Robert S. Prezant as president of Farmingdale State College. Dr. Bonderoff's appointment is effective immediately. The appointment of Dr. Prezant is effective August 14, 2024.
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Strong leadership is paramount as we position SUNY campuses toward a future of enhanced student success and upward mobility. That's why we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Prezant into the SUNY family and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bonderoff, who has admirably served SUNY Delhi since 2022, as she formally assumes the role of president. We wish them both success in their positions."
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "Since 2022, Dr. Bonderoff has served SUNY Delhi exceptionally by increasing enrollment and developing significant partnerships between SUNY Delhi and local partners to ensure the success of Delhi's students. Dr. Prezant's track record of increasing funding to support student success during his career makes him well-suited to assume the presidency at Farmingdale State College."
"I would also like to thank Farmingdale State College President John Nader for his incredible career of service to the SUNY system. From his time as provost at SUNY Delhi, to his tenure serving as president of SUNY's largest technology focused campus, President Nader has moved FSC forward in a positive direction and I strongly believe Dr. Prezant will build on the strong foundation laid by President Nader," Chancellor King added.
About Dr. Mary H. Bonderoff
Dr. Mary H. Bonderoff is acting president of SUNY Delhi, a role she has held since June 6, 2023 following her appointment as officer in charge in May 2022. During her tenure as acting president, Dr. Bonderoff has built a strong culture of shared governance, increased enrollments with the largest incoming class since 2017, and created relationships with industry and alumni to support student success.
Dr. Bonderoff has led the campus with intentionality in addressing a significant budget deficit and ensuring the campus's success and sustainability. Most recently, she established a regional innovation council to encourage collaboration between the greater Delaware County region and the campus.
Previously, she served SUNY System Administration as special advisor to the chancellor from 2021 to 2022. At SUNY Morrisville, Dr. Bonderoff was the vice president for student affairs and chief diversity officer from 2020 to 2022 and chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator from 2017 to 2020. She also worked at SUNY Oneonta from 1989 to 2017 in various capacities, including director of the Center for Multicultural Experiences, director of student diversity and advocacy, and director of diversity education and campus outreach. Dr. Bonderoff is a SUNY graduate and a strong advocate for SUNY, with her immediate family all attending SUNY institutions.
She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Oneonta and a doctorate from Northeastern University.
SUNY Delhi College Council Chair Jack Schoonmaker said, "On behalf of the SUNY Delhi College Council, I would like to thank the Presidential Search Committee, especially Chair Wayne Oliver, for their many hours and their thorough and extensive deliberations. In her two years at Delhi, working diligently with faculty, staff and students, Mary met challenges head on; strategically addressing significant budget deficits, increasing enrollment to the highest levels since 2017, and as importantly, improving the overall positivity of the campus. The College Council looks forward to working with Dr. Bonderoff as she continues her important work and moves forward as the President of SUNY Delhi."
SUNY Delhi President Mary Bonderoff said, "It is truly a privilege to serve as the next president of SUNY Delhi. I have advocated for student success throughout my career by creating caring, inclusive, and equitable communities. The past two years are a testament to the work we have done building a powerful commitment to our students and community. SUNY Delhi provides tremendous opportunities for students through our strong academic programs and co-curricular experiences. I look forward to strengthening SUNY Delhi's position as a premier technology institution."
About Dr. Robert S. Prezant
Dr. Robert S. Prezant joins SUNY from Southern Connecticut State University where he is provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Prezant previously served as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Queens College, City University of New York, and chair of the biology department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
As a biologist and administrator, he has been the lead or co-lead in generating over $20 million in external funding to support research and academic programs. His administrative efforts have resulted in the creation and support of several centers and institutes, new degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, corporate partnerships to support student success, development and enhancement of online and on-ground continuing education programs, and several global affiliations.
Dr. Prezant holds a Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of Delaware, a masters in biology (marine science) from Northeastern University, and a bachelor of arts in biology from Adelphi University.
Farmingdale State College Council Chair Patricia Hill Williams, EdD, said, "On behalf of the Farmingdale State College Council, I'm both proud and honored to congratulate Robert S. Prezant, PhD on his appointment as the tenth President of this dynamic and thriving institution. After a thorough and exhaustive search, Dr. Robert Prezant emerged as an exceptional choice to lead FSC. The entire Council looks forward to working with Dr. Prezant to build on Farmingdale's strong foundation, enhance the student experience, and foster connections in the College community and beyond."
Farmingdale President John Nader said, "Dr. Prezant has a wealth of experience and a record of achievement in public higher education. He understands the college and is clearly well positioned to build on Farmingdale's many achievements. I have no doubt that he will cultivate our growing partnerships with both businesses and philanthropies while advocating for our students and faculty. I congratulate Dr. Prezant on his appointment, and look forward to working with him on a smooth transition."
Dr. Prezant said, "My deepest thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King, and Farmingdale's College Council and the search committee for their support of my appointment. Higher education is constantly changing to meet the needs of students and the community, and Farmingdale State College has a strong reputation for doing both. Its excellent academic programs, outstanding faculty and staff, and solid partnerships with business are to be commended. I look forward to returning to Long Island to lead this esteemed campus and collaborating with everyone in the campus community as we discover and unlock the opportunities ahead."
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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