Lois B. DeFleur

Lois B. DeFleur, fifth president of Binghamton University, State University of New York, is a preeminent sociologist and an experienced administrator. As president, DeFleur oversees a public research university with more than 14,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Binghamton University includes the liberal arts programs in Harpur College, five professional schools, and associated masters and doctoral programs.

DeFleur, who took office in 1990, has enhanced planning processes and developed innovative programs. Binghamton University continues to recruit outstanding undergraduate students and their graduation rates are among the highest for public universities. It is consistently well-ranked nationally for its quality and value. Binghamton University has implemented an innovative general education program for all undergraduates, which has been recognized nationwide for its comprehensive internationalization. This includes many opportunities for studying other cultures either on campus or in other countries. Binghamton University also offers ground-breaking programs that encourage language education across the curriculum and dual-diploma programs with universities in several countries.

For this international focus, Binghamton University has been named by the American Council on Education and NAFSA: Association of International Educators as a model institution for ground-breaking programs which include languages across the curriculum and dual-diploma programs with universities in several countries. DeFleur has received the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges’ Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award.

DeFleur has significantly enhanced Binghamton University relationships with external groups and has made fund raising a priority. During her tenure as president, external support has increased significantly and Binghamton University completed its first-ever comprehensive gifts campaign. Faculty research awards have increased 60%. Binghamton University has also developed partnerships and programs that contribute to state and regional economic development including a New York State Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging. Other programs include the Watson School’s Integrated Electronics Engineering Center, the federally funded Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, and the High Technology Commercialization Center.

DeFleur had been provost at University of Missouri-Columbia and was a professor of sociology at both Missouri and Washington State University where she was also dean of the College of Liberal Arts. DeFleur is an authority on juvenile delinquency in Latin America and has done extensive work in the fields of deviant behavior and occupational socialization. She is a graduate of Blackburn College in Illinois and received an M.A. from Indiana University and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

DeFleur has chaired the board of directors of both the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and the American Council on Education, as well as serving on several non-profit and corporate boards of directors. DeFleur was recently honored with the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education’s Chief Executive Leadership Award and the Civic Leadership Award from the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.