Daan Braveman—President Emeritus of Nazareth College and former Dean of Syracuse University College of Law—has been a national leader in higher education for more than 40 years. Daan brings his hallmark view of higher education, that “Our job is to create opportunity … to learn, grow and serve,” to his work as a higher education consultant and attorney, where he helps higher education leaders navigate turbulent times and create opportunities for institutions and the students they serve.
Working closely with institution leadership, he consults in the following key areas:
- Academic Programming
- Alternative Finance
- Campus Culture and Human Capital
- Crisis Planning and Management
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Executive and Board Leadership
- Mergers, Acquisitions, Closures, and Strategic Alliances
- Policy Development
- Risk Management
- Strategic Planning and Communications
Daan’s notable leadership achievements include:
- Conducting a comprehensive effectiveness review of all academic and administrative programs
- Creating a nationally recognized Center for Life’s Work, a ground-breaking career development program
- Leading strategic alliance discussions
- Developing and implementing academic and operational strategic plans
- Establishing a division of Community and Belonging to initiate and support on-campus diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies, discussions, and initiatives
- Facilitating collaboration among local institutions to improve the quality of elementary and secondary math and science education
- Forming local partnerships to inspire and enhance civic engagement
- Initiating and completing a crisis management and communication plan
- Launching the Public Interest Law Firm, a clinical program for law students
Higher Education Leadership
Daan served as President of Nazareth College for 15 years from 2005 to 2020, more than twice the average tenure of college/university presidents. From 1977 to 2005, Daan served in several positions with Syracuse University College of Law including Dean (1994-2002), Associate Professor, Professor, Associate Dean for Administration, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
In addition, Daan served in the following leadership roles in higher education:
- Former board member and President, New American Colleges and Universities
- Former board member, Campus Compact of New York and Pennsylvania
- Member and past President, Rochester Area Colleges
Legal Career
Daan began his career as an attorney with the Greater Upstate Law Project, a project funded by the National Legal Services Corporation as a statewide support unit for legal services offered throughout New York State for poor and low-income New Yorkers.
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
Daan’s deep commitment to the Rochester community is reflected in the organizations to which he has devoted his time and talents:
- Co-Chair, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative Steering Committee
- Member, Convener Group, ROC the Future
- Member, Monroe County Systems Integration Team
- Board of Trustees, Farash Foundation
- Past-Chair, Rochester Business Alliance (now Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce)
HONORS & AWARDS
- Named to Rochester Business Journal’s Power 30 List in Higher Education, 2021
