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A community college sponsored by Niagara County

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Alumni Association

For those who leave SUNY Niagara, but for whom SUNY Niagara never leaves.

Deborah Burns

2019 Distinguished Alumnus
Class of 1978
Inducted October 19, 2019

Deborah Burns graduated from SUNY Niagara in in 1978 with her Associate’s Degree in Communication. Upon graduation, she continued on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Regents College and Master’s Degree in Education from Niagara University.

Deb began working at SUNY Niagara in 1988 as an Adjunct Instructor and Academic Advisor for the Social Services Employee Training Program. She continued on her tenure at SUNY Niagara when she became a Counselor/Professor for the office of Student Development and the Academic Advisement Center. She has been an asset to the College, helping students achieve their goals as they began their higher education experience and volunteering for SUNY Niagara’s Foundation Scholarship Gala for countless years.

Never stopping even in her retirement from SUNY Niagara, Deb is a co-founder of the award-winning Confetti Cottage in Niagara Falls, NY.  These awards include the Niagara County Beautification award in 2018, the Niagara County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award in 2017, and Shop Small Business in 2016 and 2017. Her business also provides donations from their sales proceeds to various organizations including Niagara County Hospice and Roswell Park.

In her free time, Deb volunteers for the St. Francis Guild of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in their gift shop and co-chairing several fundraisers including their annual Pink Elephant Auction. She is also heavily involved in her church, St. John DeLaSalle, as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and event volunteer.

Although she is retired from SUNY Niagara, Deb continues to assist potential students with their entry into the College. She is constantly referring students, providing them with a contact person, or making the phone calls herself to personally connect students with College employees. She continues to be an asset not only to the College, but also the community as a whole.

Deborah Burns receiving award

Contact

SUNY Niagara Foundation, Inc.

Barbara DeSimone, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd.
Sanborn, NY 14132
Phone: 716-614-5904
Email: desimone@niagaracc.suny.edu