Jeffrey S. Putman

Dr. Jeffrey S. Putman serves as Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, overseeing all five schools and colleges as Chief Student Affairs Officer and deputy Chief Academic Officer. He concurrently holds a Clinical Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Psychiatry within the College of Medicine.

His educational credentials include:

• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher & Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (2011)
• Master of Education and Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Purchase College, The State University of New York

Dr. Putman's professional focus centers on student affairs administration and mental health integration within academic environments. His work emphasizes leadership development, institutional resilience, and holistic student well-being through evidence-based student services. The clinical psychiatry appointment informs his approach to addressing student mental health challenges in higher education settings.

His distinguished contributions to the field are recognized through numerous awards:

• Pillar of the Student Affairs Profession Award from NASPA Foundation (2020)
• Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean (2019)
• Outstanding Contribution to Student Personnel Profession Award (2017)
• SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service (2001)
• Resiliency Award for Leadership (2023)
• Teachers College Alumni Award for Outstanding Service (2021)
• Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society induction (2022)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society induction (2023)

Dr. Putman provides strategic leadership across institutional governance and professional associations, directing comprehensive academic and student affairs operations while advancing system-wide initiatives through his SUNY Chief Academic Officers Association role. His administrative mentorship shapes student affairs practice across New York's public higher education system.