Stakeholders praise UB’s new president

Sharing in the campus’ excitement, various UB stakeholders are reacting to today’s big news on Caroline Attardo Genco being named UB’s 16th president.

Here’s what they’re saying.

Gov. Kathy Hochul: “Buffalo has long been a powerhouse for research and innovation, from New York's first cell and gene therapy hub at Roswell Park to Empire AI, and Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco brings the knowledge, vision and deep Buffalo roots needed to lead UB into its next great chapter. Her vast experience and understanding of world-class research will strengthen SUNY Buffalo's impact across Western New York, and help drive opportunity, discovery and growth for students, families and the entire region.”

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer: “I’m proud to welcome Buffalo native Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco back to Western New York as the next president of the University at Buffalo — the first woman to serve in this role. A graduate of Buffalo’s Mount St. Mary Academy, SUNY Fredonia and the University of Rochester, Dr. Genco has done it all in academia as an educator, a highly regarded researcher and an accomplished administrator. She brings significant leadership experience that will benefit UB students and faculty and its stellar academic and research programs. I look forward to working with Dr. Genco to continue laying the foundation for UB’s and Western New York’s future success.”

U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy: “Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco on her appointment as the next president of the University at Buffalo. As a proud SUNY Fredonia graduate with deep roots in Western New York, Dr. Genco brings an extraordinary record of academic leadership, groundbreaking research and a steadfast commitment to student success. The University at Buffalo is a cornerstone of our region's economy, a driver of ground-breaking innovation and a source of immense pride for Western New York. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Genco to advance opportunities for students, support world-class research, and ensure UB continues to be a national leader in higher education. I wish her every success as she begins this exciting new role.”

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy: “Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco on her selection as the next president of the University at Buffalo. As a Western New York native, first-generation college graduate, accomplished researcher and proven academic leader, she is uniquely qualified to build on UB's tremendous momentum and further strengthen its role as a driver of innovation, opportunity and economic growth across our region. This is a big win for UB and the greater SUNY community and I look forward to working with her as she leads New York’s flagship public research university into its next chapter."

U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle: “The University at Buffalo is a national leader in research and innovation, and Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco is the right person to serve as university president and build on that momentum. A proud URochester alumna, Dr. Genco’s career has been defined by excellence in research and academic leadership, and she is uniquely positioned to help UB advance groundbreaking discoveries, strengthen our workforce and grow our region’s economy. I congratulate her on this historic appointment and look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes: “Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco on being named as the new president of the University at Buffalo. And as a native Buffalonian, I say, welcome home. Dr. Genco breaks new ground by being the first female president in UB’s history. Her track record speaks for itself, and I have no doubt she is the right person to lead UB into this new era. I also want to thank Dr. Tripathi for his years of dedicated service, not only to UB, but to Western New York and all its communities.”

State Sen. April N.M. Baskin: “SUNY Chancellor John King is an exceptional leader with a bold vision for strengthening the future of the University at Buffalo, and that includes supporting Dr. Caroline Genco as the university's next president—the first woman to lead our flagship university in its 180-year history. I look forward to seeing how Dr. Genco's years of experience in higher education will help shape the next chapter of UB, expand opportunities for students, and strengthen its role as a world-class institution of learning and research.”

State Sen. Patrick Gallivan: “I congratulate Dr. Genco and welcome her home to Western New York. In addition to her distinguished career as a researcher and academic leader, Dr. Genco brings a special perspective to this prominent position as a SUNY graduate. I look forward to working with her and wish her success in building on UB’s standing and reputation as a premier public research university.”

State Sen. Shelley Mayer: “I am happy to join the University at Buffalo community in welcoming Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco as its 16th president. Dr. Genco will bring her passion, experience and years of experience to further UB‘s legacy of excellence. As a proud alumna, I am excited to see the successes of the students in years to come. I thank Dr. Satish K. Tripathi for his time as president and I thank SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and SUNY Board Trustees for their thoughtful appointment.”

State Sen. Rob Ortt: “Congratulations and welcome to Dr. Caroline Genco as she begins an exciting new chapter as the president of the University at Buffalo. I look forward to working together to support student success, and the continued growth of UB.”

State Sen. Jeremy J. Zellner: “The University at Buffalo is one of Western New York‘s most important institutions, creating opportunities for students, driving innovation and serving as a powerful economic engine for our region. Dr. Caroline Genco brings an impressive record of academic leadership and research excellence, and her appointment as the first woman to serve as president in UB's 180-year history marks a historic milestone for the university. I also want to thank President Satish Tripathi for his years of leadership and service, helping guide UB's growth and success over the past 15 years. I look forward to working with Dr. Genco as she leads UB into its next chapter.”

State Assemblymember Pat Burke: “Dr. Genco brings an impressive record of academic leadership and research excellence, and I'm encouraged by both her experience and Western New York roots. I look forward to getting to know her, learning more about her vision for the University at Buffalo, and working together to ensure UB continues to be a driver of opportunity, innovation and economic growth for our region and our state.”

State Assemblymember Pat Chludzinski: “I commend the University at Buffalo and the State University of New York Board of Trustees on their selection of Dr. Caroline Genco as UB’s next president. UB is a critically important academic and economic engine in Western New York, and Dr. Genco‘s background as a researcher, teacher, administrator and consensus builder make her uniquely qualified to seize on the momentum created under Dr. Tripathi‘s leadership. I am excited by the potential she brings for advancing the university‘s mission and I look forward to working with her."

State Assemblymember Bill Conrad: “The University at Buffalo is a renowned hub of innovation, an essential economic driver, and a powerful symbol of intellectual achievement and upward mobility. It is a remarkable responsibility to be tapped as the leader who will shepherd in UB’s next chapter of world-class development, research, scholarship and influence. As a two-time SUNY graduate, I am proud to join the community in congratulating Dr. Genco on her monumental new role, and I look forward to working with her to help generate continued success at UB.”

State Assemblymember Karen McMahon: “Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco is an accomplished scholar, respected academic leader and passionate advocate for higher education. Her experience leading a complex, research-intensive institution, combined with her distinguished career as an educator, uniquely positions her to build on the University at Buffalo’s extraordinary momentum. As a Western New York native, first-generation college student and the first woman to lead UB in its 180-year history, Dr. Genco brings both a deeply personal connection to our region and a bold vision for the future. As UB’s representative in the Assembly, I am proud to congratulate and welcome Dr. Genco back home to WNY, and I look forward to working with her and her team to advance this premier institution.”

State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera: “As the first woman and the first Buffalo native [in its modern era] to lead this world-class institution, Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco's selection as the University at Buffalo’s 16th president is a powerful testament to the extraordinary talent that is cultivated right here in our own backyard. Dr. Genco also brings the invaluable perspective of someone who has benefited from a SUNY education herself, giving her a deep understanding of the transformative impact our public higher education system has on students, families and communities across New York. With her exceptional record as an academic, researcher and collaborative leader, I am confident she will build on UB’s legacy of excellence and help guide the university to even greater heights.”

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz: “Welcome to Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco, the 16th president of UB, whose vast experience in academics and research has garnered nationwide notice and will serve UB well as it grows in the future. Congratulations are also in order, as Dr. Genco is a WNY native and the first woman to serve as UB’s president in history. I wish her well in this leadership role and I look forward to meeting the new president of my alma mater soon.”

Buffalo Common Council President Pro Tempore Zeneta Everhart: “The University at Buffalo is a key institution in our community, fueling our local economy, training countless skilled professionals and contributing to cutting-edge advancements in medicine and technology. Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco has a background well-suited to the responsibility of leading this storied institution, having worked as a highly respected administrator, educator and microbiologist. I commend Dr. Satish K. Tripathi for his 15-year tenure leading the University at Buffalo, and I welcome Dr. Genco to this critical leadership role. I am looking forward to working with her and the UB team on community initiatives across the City of Buffalo, as I have for the past several years with Dr. Tripathi.”

Town of Amherst Supervisor Shawn Lavin: “I am excited to welcome Dr. Genco as the next president of the University at Buffalo and build on the decades of shared success that has resulted from collaboration and shared vision between Amherst and UB. I look forward to working with Dr. Genco as we focus on continuing to create new opportunities for innovation and economic growth in Amherst and Western New York."