Seifert named 13th president of Siena College

LOUNDONVILLE - Charles F. Seifert has been named the next president of Siena College. His appointment was unanimously approved Dec. 2  by the college’s Board of Trustees.

Seifert, a former banker who has held numerous teaching and administrative positions at Siena over the past 26 years, will assume office effective June 1, 2023.

Thomas J. Baldwin, Jr. ’81, chair of Siena’s Board of Trustees, commended Seifert on his new position, noting that Siena is defying recent trends in higher education.

“Dr. Seifert has been enthusiastically recommended by the presidential search committee and he has exceeded every standard set forth by the Board, which unanimously approved his appointment,” Baldwin said. “By his absolute devotion and service to Siena, impeccable credentials, and a strong track record for leadership, he has distinguished himself so clearly for the presidency of Siena College.

“Over the past several years, our institution has set enrollment and fundraising records, established financial sustainability, and built new facilities. This is a special moment in the College’s history, and the Board adamantly believes it is important to build on the momentum we’ve generated. The perfect person to lead us forward has been playing a lead role in taking us this far.”

Seifert succeeds Christopher P. Gibson ’86, who will retire May 31, 2023 after three years as president. He announced his retirement in September.

An inaugural ceremony for Seifert will take place Sept. 21, 2023.

“I am very humbled and honored by this opportunity to lead an institution in which I believe so wholeheartedly,” Seifert said. “I dedicate myself to making sure that all members of the Siena community are heard and respected, and that we all endeavor to achieve the goal of developing new generations of leaders eager to create a more just, peaceful and humane world.”

Seifert most recently served as dean of the School of Business at Siena (2014-19, 2020 -present). He was the interim vice president for academic affairs from 2019-20; founder and executive director of Siena’s Institute for Leadership Development (2009-14); department chair of Marketing and Management (2004-07); and assistant dean of the School of Business from 1997-98.

In addition to his administrative work, Seifert has taught at Siena for decades. He originally came to campus as a visiting faculty member in 1996, and was promoted up through the academic ranks in the Management department, achieving full professorship in 2007. He taught as an adjunct at several other Capital Region colleges prior to joining Siena’s faculty.

Prior to entering academia, Seifert had a successful career in banking and finance in the Capital Region. He served as chief financial officer of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce from 1994-96, and served as a vice president of Evergreen Bank and a manager at First American Bank.

Seifert holds a bachelor’s in economics from the University at Buffalo, an master’s in finance from Sage Graduate School, and a doctorate, in organizational studies with a specialization in leadership from the University at Albany.