York College Board of Trustees Extends Contract of President Thomas Burns, Ph.D.

York College Board of Trustees Extends Contract of President Thomas Burns, Ph.D.

YORK, PA — The York College of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees has approved a five-year contract

extension for President Thomas Burns, Ph.D., reaffirming its confidence in his leadership and the

College’s strong upward momentum.

Dr. Burns joined York College as its fifth president in July 2023 and has led the college into a period of

strategic growth, financial strength, and greater community impact. A chemist and lifelong educator, he

has focused on advancing innovation while strengthening York College’s foundation.

“Dr. Burns has brought both vision and discipline to York College at a pivotal time,” said Stephen

Tansey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Under his leadership, the College has enhanced its

academic programs, strengthened its financial position, and deepened its connections across the

region. The Board is confident that his continued leadership will build on this momentum and further

elevate York College’s impact.”

Dr. Burns’ notable accomplishments include the continued development and success of Knowledge

Park, a business hub that connects students to industry while driving millions of dollars in economic

development in York County. His administration has also stabilized the College’s strong financial

footing, including sustaining an A- S&P Global rating. That rating positions York College for long-term

stability and growth. In addition, York College successfully passed its Middle States accreditation in

2025, reaffirming the strength and quality of our academic programs and institutional effectiveness.

Under Dr. Burns’ leadership, York College has defied the national downward trend impacting private

colleges in higher education. While private institutions nationwide face shrinking enrollments, as

recently highlighted in Forbes, York has surged, seeing a 53 percent increase in applications since his

arrival. This momentum translated into 5 percent growth in total enrollment (over 200 students) from

Fall 2023 to Fall 2025 and culminated in the largest incoming class in five years for Fall 2025.

Additionally, student success is on the rise: retention rates from fall to spring have increased from 83

percent to 89 percent year-over-year, demonstrating that students are not only choosing York College

but are also succeeding there.The campus itself also continues to evolve under Dr. Burns’ leadership, including the expansion of

Northside Commons residential complex. The new wing of the residence hall is set to open this summer

and represents a major investment in the student experience by adding high-quality living space for

more than 200 students.

Beyond the campus, the College has significantly strengthened its regional footprint by deepening ties

with key workforce and governmental stakeholders. Strategic collaborations with industry leaders such

as Adhesives Research, alongside formal partnerships with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and

York County government, are creating direct pipelines for student placements and regional economic

development.

Simultaneously, Dr. Burns’ leadership has extended the College’s reach onto the global stage through

emerging international partnerships. A cornerstone of this initiative is a new collaboration with York

College UK. This partnership will move from concept to reality this summer through a flagship student

exchange program: one YCP student will travel abroad for an international internship, while a cohort of

UK students will join our community to experience life on the YCP campus.

Additional initiatives, including the expansion of College in the High School and membership in the New

American Colleges & Universities (NACU), have further strengthened the College’s academic reach and

relevance.

“Dr. Burns has created a clear sense of direction and purpose across campus,” said Jeff Vermeulen, Dr.

Burns’ Chief of Staff and Vice President for Community Engagement. “He brings people with shared

goals together. And he ensures that our work remains focused on student success and building

meaningful community partnerships. His leadership has positioned York College to not only adapt to

change, but to lead through it.”

Dr. Burns looks forward to seeing what the future holds at York College of Pennsylvania.

“It is an honor to continue serving York College and this vibrant community,” said Dr. Burns. “Across

campus, we have made meaningful progress, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we

continue to expand access to affordable education, strengthen partnerships, and prepare our students

for successful careers.”

The contract extension reflects the Board’s strong support for Dr. Burns’ strategic vision and its

confidence in the College’s continued growth.

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Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts

and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the College is known for its focus

on experiential learning and community engagement, serving over 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students in more

than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 30+ professional graduate degree and certificate programs. Deeply rooted in

the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional business, education, engineering, and nursing programs,

York is ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools by Niche. The College’s robust recreation and athletics program is

among the best in the region, and is home to 24 NCAA Division III sports teams and 25+ intramural/club sports. A

Princeton Review Best Mid-Atlantic College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty; its high-impact and

student-centric philosophy; and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.