SUNY Adirondack welcomes three new trustees

QUEENSBURY, New York (Sept. 17, 2024) — SUNY Adirondack is proud to welcome three new members to its Board of Trustees.

Tyrese Brown, Tim Collins and Manu Leila Davidson are the newest members of the 10-seat board, which is the governing body of SUNY Adirondack, helping the institution fulfill its mission and achieve its strategic goals.

“We are pleased to welcome Tyrese, Tim and Manu,” said Amie Gonzales, chair of the board. “Their diverse backgrounds and experiences bring new energy and perspective to our team. Their dedication and commitment to SUNY Adirondack strengthens the Board of Trustees’ resolve to continue the mission of enriching and transforming lives and communities through accessible, lifelong educational opportunities.”

Brown, a second-year student at SUNY Adirondack, moved to the United States from Jamaica two years ago. He is a Liberal Arts and Sciences: Math and Science major, and plans to transfer to a bachelor's degree program and, ultimately, apply to medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. Tyrese is a biology tutor and a TRIO Upward Bound biology and chemistry tutor. He works as a lab technician in the Biology department and is a peer coach in the college's first-year student program.

Collins, of Queensbury, is vice president of Corporate Banking at Ballston Spa National Bank and a state Licensed Real Estate Agent with Davies-Davies & Associates. 

Collins is treasurer of North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company and has served on the boards of Lake George School District Board of Education, Warren Washington Counties ARC Board of Directors, Lake George Arts Project Board of Directors and Liberty House Foundation Board of Directors. 

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Siena College and an associate degree in Business Management from SUNY Adirondack.

Manu Leila Davidson, a resident of Warrensburg, is an attorney and litigation partner at Braverman Greenspun, P.C., in New York City. She has been practicing law for more than 20 years. 

She has co-authored articles published in several trade publications and academic journals. She was recognized by Super Lawyers, a part of Thomson Reuters, which acknowledges lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who attain a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

She also serves as secretary for Warrensburg Historical Society and served on Warrensburg Economic Development Committee in 2023-2024. 

Manu holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and received her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law.  

“We’re confident Tyrese, Tim and Manu will be wonderful additions to the board,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack. “They’re already working to ensure the best outcomes for our students, employees and community.”

Brown, Collins and Davidson join Gonzales; Diana Palmer, Ed.D., vice chair; Ed Fitzgerald, Esq., secretary; Lee Braggs; Robert Judge, Ed.D.; Colleen McDonald; and James Nolan, Ph.D.