SUNY Canton Names New Vice President for Advancement

Tracey L. Thompson has been selected to serve as SUNY Canton’s new vice president for advancement.

She will be responsible for leading advancement and alumni affairs activities and personnel, as well as developing fundraising strategies to support the college’s mission. Her appointment began August 12, 2019.

Thompson comes to SUNY Canton from Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, where she led a fundraising effort in 2018 that nearly doubled the previous year’s total. Prior to that, she served as executive director of Kutztown University’s Foundation and Alumni Relations Office raising $14.4 million over four years.

“Tracey has extensive leadership and fundraising experience in higher education, as well as an excellent record of forming robust business partnerships and building a culture of philanthropy,” said President Zvi Szafran. “We look forward to working with her to further the college’s mission to provide an accessible, affordable, hands-on education.”

Thompson also has extensive experience in nonprofit development and has held senior-level positions with the National Kidney Foundation, Easter Seals, the American Diabetes Association, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In addition to her professional experience, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Performing Arts from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in Management from Cambridge College.

“I am very excited to be joining the Advancement team at SUNY Canton and working with our students, faculty, staff and volunteers to fulfill the University’s mission and goals,” Thompson said. “I look forward to meeting the amazing alumni, donors and friends whose efforts and generous philanthropy have made such a difference here at SUNY Canton. We will continue to partner on new initiatives that will benefit today’s students as well as future generations.”

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY’s leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 18 online degree programs. The college placed first in 14 categories in a SUNY-Wide Student Opinion Survey, most notably in career services, tutoring, library resources, and classroom facilities. The college’s 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also offers varsity esports and cheerleading.