For Immediate Release

May 6, 2015

For more information, contact

John Follaco

(585) 395-5159

jfollaco@brockport.edu

Heidi Macpherson Named President of The College at Brockport

Wisconsin-La Crosse Provost Will Become First Female President in College History

BROCKPORT, NY– The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Heidi Macpherson, PhD, as The College at Brockport’s next president. Macpherson, currently Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, will become the first female president in the College’s history, and its seventh overall. Her appointment is effective mid-July.

Dr. Macpherson has more than 20 years of experience in higher education as an author, professor, and administrator in both the United States and England. In her current position, which she has held since July 2012, Dr. Macpherson initiated the student-nominated Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2013; oversaw the development of the Institute for Campus Excellence in 2013; championed the development of “Creative Imperatives” Art week in 2014; and supported an expansion of undergraduate research projects to include “Eagle Apprenticeships” (a collaboration between the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Financial Aid and Admissions).

“Throughout an esteemed career in higher education, Dr. Macpherson has exemplified the characteristics that we look for in a SUNY campus president,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “As provost of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, she has implemented several programs that align with SUNY’s strategic plan and position the University’s students, faculty, and staff for success in a number of areas. As SUNY prepares to bid one of its most respected presidents goodbye in Dr. Halstead, we are pleased to be welcoming Dr. Macpherson, who promises to be an excellent leader for The College at Brockport campus and local community.”

“I am delighted and honored to be chosen as the next president of The College at Brockport. The College has a strong tradition of academic excellence, and the motto, ‘Pursue Something Greater’ speaks strongly to me about our opportunities to achieve a lasting impact on our community and our students,” said Macpherson. “One of the things that drew me to Brockport is the College Promise: ‘to reveal to each student each day his or her capacity for intellectual, physical and creative accomplishment.’ I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the faculty, staff and students of the College and the wider communities of Brockport and Rochester to achieve our goals.”

The Brockport presidency will be the first for Dr. Macpherson. She succeeds John R. Halstead, who is retiring this summer after 10 years of service. Dr. Macpherson’s husband, Allan Macpherson, who is currently a professor in the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse management department, will be accompanying her to Brockport.

“On behalf of our campus and my colleagues on the Search Committee and the College Council, I thank the Chancellor for recommending and the Trustees appointing Dr. Macpherson to be The College at Brockport’s 7th President,” said Scott Turner, chair of the Brockport College Council. “Dr. Macpherson brings with her a strong record of academic accomplishment and administrative leadership and great energy and interpersonal skill. I think she will be a terrific president.”

Prior to Wisconsin-La Crosse, and since 2007, Dr. Macpherson was Dean of Humanities at De Montfort University (Leicester, England) and subsequently held two different Pro Vice Chancellor positions at DMU: PVC for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience, and PVC for Research and Innovation. Dr. Macpherson has authored and edited seven books, numerous articles and book chapters. She has also served on numerous campus committees, and several community Boards. Dr. Macpherson received her BA (Summa Cum Laude) in English and Creative Writing from St. Cloud State University. She emigrated to the UK in the summer of 1990 and became a dual national in 2003. She received her PhD from the University of Newcastle in 1996 and began her academic career at the University of Central Lancashire (1995 to 2007).

The College at Brockport, State University of New York

350 New Campus Drive * Brockport, New York 14420-2931

(585) 395-2754 * FAX (585) 395-2723 * www.brockport.edu