Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner does her utmost to maximize the power and purpose of public higher education.
Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner
Conway-Turner, who will retire at the end of this academic year after nine years as president of Buffalo State, has had a stellar 43-year career as a faculty member and administrator. There have been many highlights of her presidency, but she said the first thing that comes to mind are the amazing students of today and truly engaging with them.
“The issues of today are different than they have been over my life course, so it’s been a highlight to really understand, embrace and see them soar,” she said. “I believe that educated individuals need to not only lift themselves but to lift others around them. It has been part of my focus to really engage our students in civic and community work.”
During her presidency, she established a day in September called Dare to Care, during which hundreds of Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff members perform community service together. In addition, her administration has advanced civic engagement across campus with co-curricular activities and service learning.
Another highlight is upgrading facilities. In order for students to experience the best equipment and facilities while at Buffalo State, Conway-Turner, with the help of the state of New York, has been able to advance the university’s facilities. This includes a new state-of-the-art science center with a planetarium, which is now a signature piece of the campus. There has also been renovation and modernization to numerous buildings.
Engaging the university’s alumni has been deliberate. Buffalo State celebrated its 150th anniversary during her presidency, and that provided an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with each other and the institution.
