Kristin Backhaus Appointed as SUNY New Paltz’s First Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement

As both Dean of the School of Business and the newly appointed Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement, Backhaus is uniquely positioned to lead transformative initiatives that bridge academia and the broader community.

Kristin Backhaus’s extensive track record of cultivating partnerships with businesses and organizations throughout the Hudson Valley makes her the perfect candidate to pioneer this role. Over the years, she has been a champion of collaboration, serving as a bridge between SUNY New Paltz and regional stakeholders.

President Darrell P. Wheeler lauded her achievements, stating:

“Her work, including her leadership with the Hudson Valley Venture Hub and 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.”

In her new role, Backhaus will report directly to the President, overseeing a diverse portfolio of responsibilities aimed at enhancing SUNY New Paltz’s contributions to the local economy and workforce. Her key responsibilities include:

• Cultivating Partnerships: Building and maintaining relationships with business and community leaders to create opportunities for collaboration.
• Funding Opportunities: Seeking and securing funding for innovative ventures.
• Educational Programming: Developing campus initiatives focused on economic development and workforce growth.
• Data-Driven Strategies: Collecting, assessing, and leveraging data to inform strategic decisions.
• Communication & Action Plans: Crafting and implementing strategies to promote economic and community engagement.

Backhaus has been an integral part of the SUNY New Paltz community since joining the faculty in 1986. Over the years, her excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the School of Business Distinguished Service Award, and the New Paltz Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award.

Her academic credentials further reflect her dedication to leadership and education. 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.

With this new appointment, Kristin Backhaus is set to further elevate SUNY New Paltz’s role as a catalyst for regional development. Her leadership will not only strengthen existing collaborations but also inspire new initiatives that drive innovation, social impact, and economic growth in the Hudson Valley.

As she steps into this dual role, we look forward to seeing the many ways in which Backhaus will continue to shape the future of SUNY New Paltz and the communities it serves.

Written by Lorena Marron, Senior Marketing Research Aide at the Hudson Valley Venture Hub. Undergraduate student at  SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Marketing and International Business.