York College Board of Trustees Extends Contract of President Dr. Thomas Burns

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.