Dr. Suzanne Smith, SUNY Potsdam’s 18th President, Joins Campus Community & Begins Meeting with Leaders on Behalf of the College
Dr. Suzanne Smith, SUNY Potsdam’s 18th president, speaks with (from left) Savannah Hargrave, Alex Schulz, and Medina Vanduyne in the Minerva Plaza on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith has begun her tenure leading the campus by getting to know students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters—and sharing her newfound “Potsdam pride” with legislators and leaders at the state level.
In her first two weeks as president, Dr. Smith has attended a whirlwind of campus events, including receptions with faculty and staff, and meals and coffee breaks with students. She and her family are settling into the President’s house, along with their five dogs, and enjoying walks across campus.
“The sense of family on campus is real, and my family and I have felt it since the moment we moved into town. Thank you for including us in your family, and we are excited to spend more time getting to know you and experiencing the campus in the days, weeks and years to come,” she said.
Smith was able to meet with loyal graduates, donors and supporters during her first week, including the boards of trustees of the Potsdam College Foundation and the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, as well as attending her first official College Council meeting. She is also opening lines of communication with local leaders and community partners, such as higher education colleagues with the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley and with officials such as Mayor Reinhold Tischler.
Smith has also had a chance to meet with leaders at SUNY System Administration and with New York State legislators to advocate on behalf of SUNY Potsdam. During her first visit to Albany as president on Monday, Smith attended the annual ceremony for the Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence, and later made her way over to the Capitol during budget negotiations, where she had the honor of being introduced on the Assembly floor by Assemblymember Scott Gray (R-Watertown), who represents Potsdam, and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D-Albany), chair of the Committee on Higher Education.
“I had a great trip to Albany, where I met with elected officials, donors and SUNY staff, including the Chancellor. Building relationships with others who love and support Potsdam is a strong focus of mine, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to do so not only in Albany, but also last weekend, when our Foundation Board, Alumni Board and College Council were in town,” Smith said. “We are extraordinarily lucky to have such a committed group of people who love this campus and want to help us continue to be successful. I look forward to continuing to build these relationships.”
To learn more about Dr. Smith, visit www.potsdam.edu/about/leadership/office-president.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.