A Message from The Incoming President

The following message was shared with the campus community on Thursday, Nov. 21 by Dr. Alex Enyedi, who was appointed president of SUNY Plattsburgh by the State University of New York Board of Trustees the day before. 

Dear Campus Community,

As I reflect on yesterday's appointment by the SUNY Board of Trustees to be your next president, many words come to mind: Humbling. Amazing. Wonderful.

Most importantly, though, is this word: Together.

It is truly an honor to be selected as your president to lead SUNY Plattsburgh. But it is more than words to say this is a college shaped and powered by students, faculty, staff and the North Country community. That is truly how I frame my understanding to approach this work.

SUNY Plattsburgh is a special place, and I am honored to accept the role of its stewardship. I look forward to leading a collective and collaborative effort that moves us toward success in the years ahead.

As this approaches, I want to share a few thoughts on the path ahead.

Many of you read the media release, news reports or watched the announcement on live stream. I'll offer here a bit more texture:

My service as a professor, department chair, associate dean, senior associate dean, dean and provost have fostered an appreciation for the importance of the liberal arts core and the entire academic enterprise. My experience has been foundational to develop a deep respect for shared governance, collegiality and mutual respect. As an institution we can truly be our best by listening to one another, making transparent decisions and communicating to all stakeholders.

I have a passion to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. I have worked throughout my career to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented members of the college and advocated for gender equity and for the LGBTQ communities. I look forward to continuing this work at Plattsburgh.

Finally, our work begins and ends each day with those who entrust us with guiding their higher education — our students.

To students, I say your priorities and concerns are ours. Support. Success. Safety. Each of these and more matter to you and will drive this administration. To faculty and staff, it is critical we never lose sight of this. I encourage each of us to seek ways to connect, support, and understand our students, inside and outside of the classroom. This work is critical if we are to achieve our institutional goals of student success and degree attainment.

I will be back in Plattsburgh after the first of the year. I look forward to meeting with you then to listen, learn, and hear why you are passionate about the college. Details will be shared as they are available.

It is a terrific time to be on this campus. I can't wait to be a part of it - Together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alex Enyedi