Professor Zimpher honored for past and present commitment to New York

Nancy Zimpher listens to a student speak of his UAlbany educational experience at a 'Speak Out' she held on campus as chancellor for undergraduate and graduate students.

ALBANY, N.Y. — (Oct, 15, 2019) — Every University educator and researcher makes contributions to the welfare of New York State, but one professor in Educational Policy & Leadership no doubt merits special attention.

That is why the 2019 Corning Award, the Business Council of New York’s annual acknowledgement of “the individual who best demonstrates an outstanding level of accomplishment in their chosen discipline, as well as a deep and sustaining commitment to the people of New York,” has gone to SUNY Chancellor Emeritus and UAlbany Professor Nancy Zimpher.

Zimpher was presented the award on Sept. 18 at the Council’s annual meeting, which took place at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing before hundreds of the state’s top leaders in business, politics and media.

“I am honored to join the legion of remarkable individuals whose contributions to New York State have been recognized with the Corning Award for Excellence,” said Zimpher, who served as the chief executive of the 64-campus, 425,000-student SUNY system from 2008 to 2017.

Jason Lane, interim dean of the School of Education, praised both Zimpher’s past work as chancellor and her current groundbreaking efforts at SOE, including her founding directorship at UAlbany this year of The Systems Center, which aims to develop cross-sector strategies with educational organizations, state governments and foundations to strengthen learning and educational attainment from cradle-to-career through local engagement.

“Nancy Zimpher is an internationally recognized educator and leader,” said Lane. “As a faculty member, she has continued to push boundaries — from leading the development of a new curriculum in improvement science to launching The Systems Center to teaching an online course. Our students, the School of Education and all of UAlbany have benefited from her knowledge and willingness to move key initiatives forward.”

In commenting on her Corning Award, Zimpher said “the power of the State University of New York lies in its capacity to extend the economic vitality of our state while also enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The Business Council of New York State has always recognized this as a shared vision that can and must be achieved through our partnership across sectors”

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