The State University of New York Board of Trustees on Tuesday announced the appointment of Chance M. Glenn Sr., Ph.D., as the 10th president of Buffalo State University.
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,” Glenn said. “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 in 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.
Glenn is a member of the Starlink Initiative (SpaceX) Board of Directors, the Victoria Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the Golden Crescent Black Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Houston System Black Leadership Network Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled our search has come to a successful conclusion with the appointment of Dr. Chance Glenn as the 10th president of Buffalo State University,” said Linda A. Dobmeier, chair of the Buffalo State Council and chair of the Buffalo State Presidential Search Committee. “Dr. Glenn is a scientist, innovator, inventor, electrical engineer, and most importantly educator. He is the perfect combination of a futurist and visionary to lead and inspire Buffalo State University as we move forward at this exciting point in our history.
“I would like to congratulate and welcome Dr. Glenn, as well as express my heartfelt gratitude to the Buffalo State Council, the Presidential Search Committee, Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, Interim President Bonita Durand, and the entire Buffalo State University community for its support, direction, and guidance during this search that maintained the high standards of our institution.”
Buffalo State University has been led by Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., since the retirement of President Katherine Conway-Turner at the close of the 2022–2023 academic year.
“Dr. Durand has been a steadying force for the campus as the search committee did their work to find an excellent candidate to move the campus forward,” Chancellor John B. King said. “I am grateful for her leadership and her extraordinary commitment to Buffalo State and the students we serve.”
“I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Chance Glenn,” Durand said. “His exceptional leadership, demonstrated through a distinguished academic career, positions him perfectly to guide our institution into the future. As we transition, I look forward to partnering with Dr. Glenn, our governance leadership, and the Buffalo State family to ensure a smooth handover.
“Dr. Glenn’s return to Western New York marks an exciting new chapter for Buffalo State; under his guidance, I am confident we will flourish, strengthening our position as SUNY’s premier urban-engaged comprehensive university.”
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