Gordon Named Vice President for Student Affairs at Buffalo State
Buffalo State College President Katherine Conway-Turner announced today that she has appointed Timothy W. Gordon as the college’s new vice president for student affairs. Gordon, who will officially join the Buffalo State community on February 1, 2018, most recently served as dean of students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), the second-largest and most diverse campus in the University of Wisconsin system, with an enrollment of more than 25,000 students.
“Dr. Gordon brings more than 20 years of student affairs administrative experience to Buffalo State, including the past four years at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an urban institution with many similarities to our campus,” Conway-Turner said. “His leadership style lends itself to broad collaboration across all campus departments and divisions. I believe Dr. Gordon will be a wonderful addition to the Buffalo State family as we work together to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in which our students continue to thrive academically, civically, and socially.”
As the dean of students at UWM from 2013 to 2017, Gordon served as one of the top senior student affairs officers at the university. In addition to supervising the Dean of Students Office staff, Gordon oversaw UWM’s Neighborhood Housing Office; Women’s Resource Center; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center; and Student Association Relations Office.
In his role, Gordon worked closely and collaboratively with multiple campus units, including the Norris Health Center, University Housing, and University Police. He served as the university’s compliance officer for important federal policies such as sexual assault response, crime reporting, and alcohol and other drug prevention education. He was also a key member of student retention and recruitment initiatives, including UWM’s Strategic Enrollment Management Committee and the Learning Community Council.
“I am excited and honored to join the team at Buffalo State College,” Gordon said. “The college’s focus on being an urban-engaged campus is strongly aligned with the passion that led me to make higher education my life’s work. I am eager to work with students as well as my faculty and staff colleagues to support the commitment to creating an engaging and rich learning experience. I look forward to being a part of the Bengal community!”
Before his appointment at UWM, Gordon spent nine years (2004–2013) at Northwestern University in Chicago as the associate dean for student and alumni services for the university’s School of Continuing Studies. As a chief student affairs officer for one of Northwestern’s 12 degree-granting schools, he assisted in the development of the school’s three-year strategic plan, managed the division’s capital campaign, and served on program review and accreditation teams.
From 2000 to 2004, Gordon held multiple roles at Columbia College Chicago, including director of new student and family programs and director of the Freshman Center, a comprehensive advising and service center for new students. He also held positions at Illinois State University as coordinator of academic services and learning communities (1997–2000) and at Michigan State University as resident director and coordinator of the Residential Option for Science and Engineering Students (1995–1997).
Gordon is an active member of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and currently serves as the association’s alternate director to the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. He is a contributor to the EvoLLLution, an online magazine offering insights into higher education leadership and management. He is also an active presenter at ACPA conferences and workshops.
Gordon earned his B.A. in interdisciplinary social science (pre-law) in 1992, and his M.A. in higher, adult, and lifelong education in 1995, both from Michigan State University. He completed his Ph.D. in educational administration and foundations at Illinois State University in 2005.