New Alfred State College president Steven Mauro returns to SUNY roots

A Western New York native whose administrative work at Gannon University is credited with launching independent online programs, establishing additional campuses and generating alternative revenue has been named the new president of Alfred State College.

In a statement Tuesday, the SUNY Board of Trustees and State University Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley announced the appointment of Dr. Steven A. Mauro as the Allegany County college’s 13th president.

Born and raised in Niagara Falls and a graduate of the SUNY system, Mauro succeeds former Alfred State president Dr. Skip Sullivan, who retired last June. He will officially begin in the role March 28.

Mauro thanked the SUNY Board of Trustees, Stanley and the College Council at Alfred State for the opportunity.

"I envision the role of president being filled with many rewarding experiences, but also challenges," Mauro said. "It is a great responsibility for which my career has helped me become prepared."

From Pennsylvania to NY

Mauro's career includes positions at two universities in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Mauro currently serves as vice president for Strategy and Campus Operations at Gannon. Prior to that, he served as dean of Health Professions and Sciences, interim provost, and vice president for Academic Administration at the private university.

From 2005 to 2013, Mauro was a faculty member at Mercyhurst University, where his work on the abundance and distribution of viral, bacterial, and chemical agents in recreational water earned national attention in peer-reviewed publications and articles featured by the National Science Foundation, Homeland Security, and National Geographic News.

"I have had the good fortune to lead in many different areas of an institution," Mauro said. "In some ways, my role as president will involve combining all of these different experiences into a presidency that will continue to build off the great momentum my predecessors at ASC have already put in motion."

Patricia K. Fogarty, chair of the Alfred State College Council, said a college committee spent several months evaluating candidates during a nationwide search for Sullivan’s successor. Fogarty praised Mauro, citing his innovation and leadership at his previous stops.

“Getting to know Dr. Mauro from interviews and his visit to campus, I believe he is an innovator, educational entrepreneur, and able to lead many initiatives including academic programming, recruitment, retention, fundraising and so much more,” Fogarty said. “He combines these attributes with an overwhelming dedication to college students and their future.”

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Mauro educated at SUNY UB and Cornell

Prior to his appointment at Alfred State, where he will lead a technology-focused school of about 3,400 students, Mauro said he observed the college’s “dedication to students and their education.”

"Without question, I gained even greater interest when I learned more about the people," Mauro said. "Fit is an important thing to me, and I was specifically looking for a place that is student-centered and dedicated to working together. We must think creatively to provide high-quality education to today’s students. This is exactly what I found at Alfred State."

After graduating valedictorian of his high school class in Niagara Falls, Mauro received his education at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He graduated magna cum laude, earning a BS and PhD in biology.

Mauro was also awarded a National Institutes of Health Ruth Kirchstein Postdoctoral Fellowship to further his education at Cornell University.

Dr. John Anderson, a former Alfred State College president who served as officer in charge during the search process for a new president, called Mauro “an ideal choice to lead ASC,” citing accomplishments in multiple areas of academics, strategy, and operations.

“Being from WNY and a SUNY alumnus, he should feel right at home,” Anderson added.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Steven A. Mauro appointed 13th president of Alfred State College