York College names new president: Thomas Burns
York College of Pennsylvania has named Dr. Thomas Burns as its new president.
Burns has ties to central Pennsylvania as a graduate of Dickinson College and former associate provost for academic administration at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
The news release said Burns’ appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees after a national search led by trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Burns will succeed President Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith on July 1, 2023. Gunter-Smith, the college's first Black president, was appointed nearly 10 years ago. She announced her retirement last June.
“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Dr. Burns to York College,” said Board Chair Laura Wand. “He is an innovator with a deep passion for private higher education. He is committed to student success, the College’s teaching-centric roots, and our strategic focus on experiential learning. Incoming President Burns possesses all the qualities necessary to take York College into its next ambitious era.”
“My wife and I are extremely excited to join York College of Pennsylvania,” said Burns. “To us, York represents the best of what higher education should be – dedication to both the liberal arts and professional education in an environment where students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to help the community, while developing the skills that prepare them to be the next generation of competitive, flexible, and purpose-driven leaders.”
More:York College President Pamela Gunter-Smith nominated to state board of education
According to the news release, Burns graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from Dickinson College in 1991, and completed his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1998. He taught in the Chemistry and Physics Department at Florida Southern College for four years, winning two teaching awards and being named department chair in 1999. For six years, Burns served as the assistant dean for academic affairs for the Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he oversaw the Fulbright program and participated in the creation, implementation, and interpretation of the policies of the Graduate School. In 2006, Burns accepted the role of associate provost for academic administration at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where in cooperation with the provost he was responsible for the general education program, the First Year Experience, global education, and community and academic partnerships, among other duties.
In his provost position at Belmont University, Burns supervised the deans of the institution’s 13 colleges as well as the associate provosts for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs, and all academic support units, according to the news release.
Burns is married to Margret, also a Ph.D. graduate in chemistry from Vanderbilt. The couple has two adult children.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: New president named at York College: Thomas Burns
