Muriel A. Howard, president of Buffalo State College for the
past 13 years, will leave her position at the college to become president of
the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), effective
August 1, 2009.
AASCU is the leadership association of 430 public colleges and
universities advocating for public higher education, including federal policies
and regulations to ensure access, affordability, and opportunity for students.
The association is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
“After so many years in this community, I have great affection
for Buffalo State College, Western New York, and the State University of New
York,” said Howard. “Over the past several years, we have accomplished an
enormous amount for our students and for the community, and I know there is
great momentum for this work to go on. As the AASCU president, I will have a
wonderful opportunity to continue to advocate for public policy in support of students
at state colleges and universities.”
Howard’s tenure at Buffalo State has been characterized by a
prolonged period of stability and growth. The student academic profile improved
while enrollment and the number of faculty hires increased. Under Howard’s
leadership, the campus experienced numerous capital improvements, including the
construction of the new $33 million Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo
State and culminating in a $350 million construction plan scheduled to begin
this spring.
Undergraduate programs at Buffalo State now total 140, with 63
highly regarded graduate programs. Always a leader in teacher education, the
college now offers all the traditional liberal arts disciplines, as well as
Applied Economics, Art Conservation, Communication Design, Creative Studies,
Forensic Chemistry, and Television and Film Arts.
At AASCU, Howard will be an advocate for public higher education
at the national level, working to influence federal policy and regulations on
behalf of member colleges and universities; serving as a resource to presidents
and chancellors as they address state policy and emerging campus issues; and
providing professional development opportunities for presidents, chancellors,
and their spouses.
“Muriel
has been an outstanding leader at Buffalo State College,” said Howard A.
Zemsky, vice chair of the College Council. “The board is committed to
continuing her legacy. We will work with SUNY and the Buffalo State College
Council and community to identify an interim president and expedite a search
process.”