Timeline: A summary of Incoming President Jennifer L. Burris, Ph.D.’s experience and accomplishments

The State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees voted to name Jennifer L. Burris, Ph.D., as the next president of Buffalo State University during the afternoon session of the SUNY Board of Trustees meeting on April 28. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2026. Incoming President Burris currently serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Below is a summary of Incoming President Burris' experience and accomplishments.

JENNIFER L. BURRIS, PH.D.
Incoming President of Buffalo State University

EDUCATION

Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
Ph.D., Physics
M.S., Physics

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
B.S., Applied Science (physics concentration)

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Lenoir-Rhyne University
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
June 2022-Present

Professor of Physics (tenured)
June 2022-Present

Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Chair (national search)
June 2018-July 2022
Physics and Astronomy Department

Associate Dean and Interim Associate Dean
July 2016-June 2018
College of Arts and Sciences

Graduate Program Director
July 2014-July 2016
M.S. Engineering Physics

Program Director
July 2013-July 2016
Professional Science Master's (PSM)

Assistant Graduate Program Director
May 2012-July 2013
M.S. Engineering Physics

Professor
July 2018-July 2022

Associate Professor (tenured)
July 2014-July 2018

Assistant Professor (tenure-track)
July 2010-July 2014

Adjunct Assistant Professor (full-time, non-tenure-track)
July 2007-July 2010

Aims Community College
Greeley, Colorado

Faculty (non-tenure-track, full-time)
January 2004-July 2007
Science Department

Adjunct Faculty (part-time)
August 2004-December 2004
Science Department

Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

Adjunct Faculty (part-time)
June 2005-August 2005 and August 2003-December 2004
Department of Physics

Postdoctoral Associate
August 2003-August 2004
Department of Physics

RECENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

North Carolina American Council on Education (ACE) Women's Network

Founding Member
2017

Executive Board Member
2017-2022, 2025-Present

Treasurer (elected)
2018-2021

BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program

Advisory Board Member
2014-Present

Chair of Statewide Advisory Board
2016-2017

Catawba County and Regional Education Steering Committee
Fall 2024-Spring 2025

Appalachian College Association NSF ADVANCE Grant Steering Committee
2023-2025

RECENT HONORS AND AWARDS

OSA Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Recognition
The Optical Society (OSA)
September 2020

North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching
North Carolina Board of Governors
March 2015

Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award
Appalachian State University
January 2013

RECENT GRANT ACTIVITY

Career Total: $3.9M externally funded ($1.6M as PI and $2.3M in other role)

2025
Title TBD
Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
Program: Disaster Recovery-Readiness, Implementation, and Industry Transformation Paths Amount: Up to $2.5M appropriation
Status: In Progress
Role: Lead with L. Floyd, C. Schreiber, and regional partners

Title TBD
Agency: Department of Education
Program: Title III Strengthening Institutions
Amount: ~$2.1M
Status: In Progress
Role: PI with J. Shreve, T. Brookes, L. Floyd, J. Santiago, and N. Eschbash

Bridges to Nursing Excellence
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Program: Scholarship for Health Professions Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds Amount: $2,290,717
Status: Grant Funding on Hold Due to Federal Government Funding Changes
Role: Senior Personnel with T. Toney (PI), S. Hewitt, K. Thompson, J. Painter, and L. Floyd

2024
Addition of Assistant AD for Academic Success
Agency: NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association)
Program: Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Enhanced Position Amount: $114,050
Status: Funded: Effective 8/1/24 - 8/1/29
Role: Collaborator with K. Pate (PI)

2023
Recruiting Teachers and Enhancing Capacity in Culturally Responsive Teaching in High-need Schools
Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce)
Amount: $1,199,135
Status: Funded: Effective 8/1/24 - 7/31/29
Role: Senior Personnel with S. Weddington (PI), L. Floyd, J. Perkins, S. Williams, and S. Thomas

RESEARCH AND MENTORSHIP

• Co-directed the Biophysics and Optical Sciences Facility, one of the largest research groups at Appalachian State University, with up to 22 students each semester. The interdisciplinary applied research focused on optical engineering, automation, optical physics, and studies of biological and other materials using Raman spectroscopy, optical tweezers, and Laser Tweezer Raman Spectroscopy (LTRS).
• Mentored and collaborated with 98 students on individual research projects, serving as primary advisor for 49 students and secondary advisor for 49.
• Co-authored over 80 student presentations and authored several peer-reviewed publications with students.
• Secured 28 research stipends and facilitated 37 student research grants to support student research.
• Secured ~$4M in external grant funding in various roles, many of which supported student stipends, research opportunities, mentorship, and scholarships.
• Championed student research as a key component of her philosophy on education, integrating students into her scholarship and providing opportunities for presentation and publications.

Related

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Photo by Nolan Metcalf.