Statement by Senator Patty Ritchie on Suny Leadership Changes

New Presidents on Tap for Potsdam and Canton Colleges

I want to welcome Zvi Szafran and Kristin Esterberg, the newest leaders of our SUNY colleges, to the North Country. Both were named today to lead the Canton and Potsdam campuses, respectively.

SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam are unique hubs of learning, job creation and growth in Northern New York, each with its own unique strengths, specialties and personality. Ensuring that each has its own independent leader was crucial to preserving both the tradition of these two campuses, as well as ensuring their future growth and success.

That’s why I joined with members of the community to insist that both campuses retain their independent leadership. I am looking forward to working with the new leaders of both colleges to ensure that each institution can continue to offer the world-class academics and programs that help set students on the pathway for future success.

I wish to thank SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher for recognizing the importance of these two colleges to the North Country, and for listening and responding to our concerns about future direction of these excellent institutions, and congratulate all of SUNY’s leaders on today’s appointments.