Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, incoming SUNY Empire State College president,began her tenure on July 1 at the college’s Saratoga Springs location.
Vollendorf will take over for Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea, who will continue his work at the college as acting provost.
Vollendorf, who was selected by the SUNY Board of Trustees after an extensive national search, will be SUNY Empire’s sixth president since its founding in 1971.
“I am thrilled to be part of the SUNY Empire State College community,” she said. “As a leader in online and blended learning, SUNY Empire fills a very special niche in the higher-education landscape—one that is in more demand now than ever before. I look forward to building upon the college’s history of access and innovation and moving the institution forward in ways that benefit and empower our students and the communities in which they live across New York state and around the world.”
Prior to SUNY Empire, she served as interim provost and chief academic officer at the University of Northern Colorado. She also worked for 16 years in the California State University system at three campuses as a faculty member, department chair, academic senate chair, dean, and provost.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lisa Vollendorf as the sixth President of SUNY Empire State College. With a strong foundation of experience in education, we look forward to seeing Dr. Vollendorf take the helm and steer this uniquely innovative and flexible, hybrid campus to even greater heights,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley.
“A special thank you to Dr. Nathan Gonyea who has led the campus as Officer in Charge and will now serve as acting provost. SUNY Empire has established itself as a dedicated pathway for adult learners seeking higher education in an accessible way, and Dr. Vollendorf is well positioned to build upon this mission.”
Vice Provost of Academic Administration Tai Arnold, Ph.D. said, “I am so looking forward to Dr. Vollendorf’s presidency at SUNY Empire. She will be able draw on her academic leadership knowledge and experience at multiple colleges and universities around the nation to the college’s advantage. Her impressive scholarship will benefit our college community as we continue to innovate as an institution.”