Denise A. Battles

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Denise A. Battles

President, SUNY Geneseo

Years in current role: 7.5 years

What are your priorities for 2023?

We’re building on Geneseo’s core strengths of quality accessible and affordable education. We’re launching a new strategic plan through which we aim to extend our honors-quality education to broader markets, for example by expanding academic offerings and delivering programming in Rochester. The plan centers our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our goal is to ensure that NY learners who desire an exemplary higher education experience can access Geneseo regardless of their financial circumstances, fostering their social mobility and augmenting our economic impact.

What advice would you give young professionals in the Rochester business community?

Change is the norm and navigating the future successfully will require a commitment to lifelong learning. A liberal arts-centered education, such as that which we offer at Geneseo, recognizes this dynamic by equipping individuals with essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions that prepare them to be nimble, adaptable, socially conscious, and ethically engaged. I would encourage the area’s young professionals — and indeed anyone who seeks success and fulfillment — to embrace such continual learning and development opportunities.

What do you think will be different about the Rochester community in five years?

Our experiences of the past three years have highlighted the value of relationships and connections. There’s also far greater awareness of the inequities that pervade society — including our own community — and the differential impacts on marginalized populations. Going forward, I anticipate greater prioritization of interpersonal connectivity and collaboration, particularly in ways that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. I look forward to contributing to this work, both as a local leader and an individual.

What is your favorite way to relieve stress?

Physical activity is my go-to for managing the stress that comes with the role of college president, and my husband and dog are my frequent companions in this regard. A dog walk through the Village of Geneseo, our campus, and/or our beautiful surroundings offers the perfect antidote to a taxing day. Our students often miss the pets they have left at home and seem to really enjoy interacting with our pup as a proxy. Many individuals in our community recognize Vejo as “the most-walked dog in Geneseo.” The activity is good for him and his walker(s)!

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.