School of Business Dean Kristin Backhaus adds role of Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement to her duties

Kristin Backhaus has been appointed as the first-ever Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement at SUNY New Paltz, a newly created role dedicated to building stronger connections with a broad array of regional partners.

Backhaus will take on these responsibilities while continuing in her role as Dean of the School of Business, which she has held since 2015.

Her work as dean, and specifically her extensive efforts to build partnerships with companies and organizations throughout the Hudson Valley, leaves Backhaus well positioned to extend and formalize this work on behalf of the University.

“My thanks to Dean Backhaus for agreeing to take on this important role,” said President Darrell P. Wheeler. “Her work in this area, including her leadership with the Hudson Valley Venture Hub and her collaboration with local and regional partners, has consistently created and advanced a SUNY New Paltz presence in innovative development ventures across our region. This new position is a wonderful opportunity to continue building synergies with academic and community economic opportunities.”

As Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement, Backhaus will report to the President and manage a portfolio focused on planning and leading strategic engagement with public and private partnerships, in ultimate service of expanding the University’s contributions to economic development, innovation, social impact and workforce development in our local and regional communities.

Her responsibilities will include cultivating and maintaining relationships with business and community partners; seeking funding opportunities for collaborative ventures; development of campus-based educational programming on economic development opportunities; collection and assessment of economic and community engagement data from multiple sources; implementing a communication plan to share economic and engagement opportunities internally and externally; and formulating a data-informed action plan for economic and community engagement, among others.

Backhaus has served in various roles at SUNY New Paltz since joining the faculty in 1986. She has been recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the School of Business Distinguished Service Award and the New Paltz Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award. She holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy studies from the University at Albany, a master’s in student personnel administration from the University of Vermont, and a bachelor’s in literature and rhetoric from Binghamton University.