Read the full text of the remarks Meza Soufleris made to the board in Albany on June 2, 2026.
Good morning. It is truly an honor to be here today, and I am deeply grateful for the confidence you have placed in me through this appointment as the next President of SUNY Brockport.
I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Tisch, Chancellor John King, and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their leadership and for the opportunity to serve this remarkable institution. I would also like to thank Scott Turner, Chair of the Brockport University Council and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, and the members of the search committee for their thoughtful work, dedication, and commitment throughout this process.
Dr. Dawn Meza Soufleris
SUNY Brockport is one of the true gems of Western New York. It is a university with tremendous momentum, a strong reputation, and a bright future. The University has experienced significant enrollment growth in recent years, attracting more students who recognize the value of a Brockport education. This growth reflects the strength of the institution and the confidence students and families place in its mission. What excites me most is the opportunity to build upon that momentum while remaining grounded in the values that make Brockport special: academic excellence, meaningful student experiences, and a commitment to opportunity and access.
I believe Brockport is uniquely positioned to continue providing students with a rigorous, high-quality education while also creating an environment where they feel a deep sense of belonging and connection. Higher education changes lives when students are challenged academically, supported personally, and provided with opportunities to discover their purpose and potential. My goal is to work alongside our faculty, staff, students, and community partners to ensure that every student who comes to Brockport leaves prepared not only with a degree, but with the skills, experiences, confidence, and career readiness necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
This appointment is especially meaningful to me because I am a product of the SUNY system. As a first-generation Irish Latina college graduate, higher education changed the course of my life. I am a proud three-time SUNY graduate and was educated in New York’s public schools from kindergarten through my Ph.D. Because of that journey, I know firsthand how life-changing public higher education can be. SUNY opened doors for me, and I believe deeply in its mission to create opportunity, expand access, and help students build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
“Western New York helped shape who I am as a leader, educator, and person.”
Dr. Dawn Meza Soufleris
This also feels very much like a homecoming. I spent more than 25 years at the Rochester Institute of Technology, raised my family and built both my professional and personal life in the Rochester region. Western New York helped shape who I am as a leader, educator, and person. Returning to serve this community in this capacity is both a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly.
To the students, faculty, and staff I had the opportunity to meet during my campus visit, thank you for your warmth, honesty, and passion for Brockport. Your pride in this institution was evident everywhere I went. I am excited to join the Brockport family and look forward to meeting many more members of this wonderful community in the months ahead.
Finally, I want to thank my family. To my husband, Jim, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement, patience, and, perhaps most importantly, your management of me over the past 35 years. None of this would be possible without you.
And to my three children, Chris, Lizzie, and Maddie, I hope you are watching from afar. You have always been my greatest source of pride and joy, and I hope I am making you proud today.
Thank you again for this extraordinary opportunity. I cannot wait to get started and to work alongside the Brockport community as we continue advancing student success, academic excellence, and opportunities for generations to come.
Who is Dr. Dawn Meza Soufleris?
A first-generation college student of Irish, Mexican, and Puerto Rican heritage and a three-time SUNY graduate, Meza Soufleris has spent her 37-year career championing students.
Read the storyWho is Dr. Dawn Meza Soufleris?
Introducing Brockport’s 8th President
Dr. Dawn Meza Soufleris comes to SUNY Brockport from Montclair State University, where she serves as Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life.
Read the storyIntroducing Brockport’s 8th President