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College & Community
Dr. Thomas Burns Begins Tenure as President of York College of Pennsylvania
BY KATIE MAHONEY | CHIEF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
When Dr. Thomas Burns was considering a relocation from Tennessee back to Pennsylvania, he looked to his own family for the impact of this decision. “My nephew is a York College student. My niece is a graduate. From what I saw from the outside, they are well-connected to the community. Students at York College have practical experience, the college is getting them ready for the world.”
With that, he made the decision to become the fifth president of York College of Pennsylvania in June of 2023. His vision for the college is clear, yet impactful, “We’re about helping students find their place in the community,” shares Dr. Burns. “We focus on developing students so they can be good representatives wherever they live. The College motto is "To serve is to live" so we want our students to recognize that service is part of what makes a community thrive. Getting a job is one thing, being part of the community is another.”
On that commitment to community, Dr. Burns plans to continue enriching the college’s relationship with the City of York, and the full County, and solidifying the college’s commitment to workforce development by bringing to life the Knowledge Park. This project, housed on the east bank of the Codorus Greenway in the former Schmidt & Ault Paper Company facility, will bring together industry partners, faculty experts, and York College students for innovative projects in the York community while offering an estimated $64 million in economic value to the York area and projecting to generate over $27 million of income for the local economy.
We focus on developing students so they can be good representatives wherever they live. The College motto is "To serve is to live" so we want our students to recognize that service is part of what makes a community thrive. Getting a job is one thing, being part of the community is another.
- Dr. Thomas Burns, President, York College of Pennsylvania
“We are the institution for whatever the workforce needs,” he adds. “We need to be that partner in businesses, and with individuals. Things are happening in York County that aren’t happening in other places, and that stimulates excitement.”
When asked about his advice on leadership, he chuckles. “I’m not a student of leadership books or training,” he says. Instead, he leads by these fundamental principles:
• BE THOUGHTFUL AND PATIENT.
• BE WILLING TO DO WHAT YOU ASK OTHERS TO DO. “It’s not about telling, it’s about bringing people along with you,” he explains.
• TELL PEOPLE BAD NEWS WITH A SMILE.
• BE HUMAN.
• BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE THE WHY - GIVE THEM A DECISION WITH AN EXPLANATION.
When not “on the clock,” Dr. Burns still finds himself spending off-time centered around the campus by walking his dog and engaging with students and visitors. “The campus is like a park, where everywhere feels welcoming,” he shares. “And Colonial Diner – you always see someone you know.”
“York is a place where you can have a life, and it’s full of kind, genuine people,” he adds.
