This article was updated on 8:09 p.m. on 8/24. 

Over 10 months after Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger announced his intent to step down, the SUNY Board of Trustees named the University’s next president.

Anne D’Alleva, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut, was appointed on Tuesday morning during a closed executive session meeting. She will begin her duties on Nov. 1.

Before becoming UConn’s first female provost in 2022, D’Alleva was dean of its School of Fine Arts for seven years, where she co-founded the Krenicki Arts and Engineering Institute. She received an undergraduate degree in art history from Harvard University in 1986 and her M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University, along with a graduate certificate in feminist theory. D’Alleva is the author of several books, including “Fundamentals of Art History” and “Methods and Theories of Art History.”

As provost, D’Alleva was responsible for “strategic planning, budgetary management, faculty development, and curriculum innovation” across UConn’s 14 schools and campuses. She also expanded UConn’s work in artificial intelligence and strengthened ties with Connecticut’s Native American nations.

“I am so eager to work with Binghamton’s faculty and staff, the SUNY system, the community and industry partners we will engage to build even greater research strength, expand economic impact and extend the University’s reach across New York, the nation and the world,” D’Alleva said at the meeting. “In fact, Binghamton already possesses many of the hallmarks of a world class institution.”

“Our task now is to ensure that the world recognizes Binghamton as such,” she continued.

During an otherwise ordinary BU Council meeting last October, Stenger announced he planned to leave his post, saying it was a “difficult decision” to make because he will greatly miss “working with Binghamton University’s wonderful students, faculty, staff, community members and alumni.”

A presidential search committee, led by BU Council Chair Kathryn Grant Madigan, first met in February to find Stenger’s replacement. The committee selected WittKieffer, an executive search firm that previously assisted the University in finding candidates for other administrative positions, to help search for the next president.

The search committee hosted 15 listening sessions with select faculty, students, alumni and community members during the spring semester to gather input.

Over 90 applicants were considered for the position, Madigan reported. In a June 16 update, the committee announced it would interview 12 candidates on Zoom and eventually narrow the pool down to “no fewer than 5 semi-finalists.”

Unlike a fully “open” search process, where the names of semi-finalist candidates are publicized, the BU Council and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. allowed the committee to use a hybrid approach, giving various communities and stakeholders a confidential voice in the process while protecting candidates’ identities. An open search could deter some highly qualified candidates from applying if their employers were made aware they were applying to a new position, Madigan wrote.

From July 6 to 14, six candidates were interviewed on campus by the search committee and other groups. After one semi-finalist withdrew their application, the committee submitted a list of five individuals to the BU Council, which picked three to attend final interviews.

Stenger was selected in November 2011 after a 17-month search was launched following former University President Lois DeFleur’s retirement. The process first began as an open search in April 2010, which ended after then-SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher rejected the two recommended finalists. The process resumed in July 2011 as a closed search with no information released publicly about potential candidates until Stenger was named in November.

Stenger congratulated D’Alleva on her selection as the next University president.

“She brings with her a reputation as a multidisciplinary collaborator in research and scholarship, a leader in expanding and enhancing Connecticut’s facilities, and an administrator who has developed innovative solutions to support student success,” Stenger said. “I wish Anne the best in her time as Binghamton president, and I look forward to many future successes for the University, its people and the local community.”

Radenka Maric, the president of UConn, announced that Pamir Alpay, vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, will be appointed interim provost once D’Alleva leaves on Oct. 3. In a statement to UConn students and faculty, Maric said BU was “fortunate to have Anne stepping in as their leader,” adding that D’Alleva’s leadership at UConn was “characterized by vision, practicality, tenacity, and the highest degree of collegiality.”

The search for UConn’s next provost will begin early next year.