The Daily Bulletin

I am excited to share with you an important decision that we believe will strengthen our university's trajectory and reinforce our dedication to our mission and vision. Effective immediately, the Marketing and Communications Department will move from the division of Enrollment Management to the division of Institutional Advancement.

In our continuous effort to enhance our effectiveness and collaboration, this strategic realignment is designed to better coordinate our resources and functions to align with our institutional goals, streamline our processes, and ultimately better serve the entire Buffalo State community. This change is part of our ongoing commitment to foster an environment of trust, transparency, and mutual understanding within our community.

• Randyll Bowen, vice president for enrollment management, will continue to focus his time and expertise on managing the entire student enrollment life cycle—recruitment, admissions, conversion, on-boarding, progression, and graduation. This focus aims to enhance the experience and outcomes for our students, maximizing their ability to persist and graduate in a timely fashion. Vice President Bowen will work closely with Interim Provost Amitra Wall and Vice President for Student Affairs Timothy Gordon to ensure that new students are seamlessly integrated into the academic and social fabric of our institution. This is a crucial aspect of improving our persistence, retention, and graduation rates. Furthermore, Vice President Bowen will collaborate with Vice President for Institutional Advancement James Finnerty to recruit prospective students and ensure that our continuing students have the necessary financial resources to stay on track. Therefore, Enrollment Management priorities, including targeted and strategic integrated marketing communications plans, will remain a top focus for the Marketing and Communications Department.
• Vice President Finnerty will integrate the primary roles of the Marketing and Communications Department into what will be known as the division of Institutional Advancement and External Relations. This restructuring, in conjunction with an upcoming brand study and refresh, will enable Marketing and Communications to develop a singular value proposition that resonates across all our target audiences—potential students and their families, the community we serve, governmental entities, donors, corporate partners, and alumni. This broader perspective will cast a greater focus on the institutional brand from both internal and external audiences and allow us to communicate more effectively and efficiently.
• Matthew Heidt, assistant vice president for marketing and communications, will continue to lead our award-winning Marketing and Communications team, reporting directly to Vice President Finnerty. Additionally, Mr. Heidt is now a standing member of the President’s Cabinet to ensure that Marketing and Communications is at the table as critical decisions are being considered. We are confident that under his leadership, our Marketing and Communications team will continue to shine and establish a unified voice that reflects our shared vision and values.

As we navigate these transformative times, our commitment to our mission and community remains strong. We understand that change can be challenging, but we firmly believe this is a step in the right direction for our university. We appreciate your understanding, commitment, and continued support. Your contribution to these exciting changes is invaluable, and we look forward to growing stronger together as we position Buffalo State as the leading comprehensive institution in the SUNY system.