ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Sharon T. Burke, who has more than 23 years’ experience in human resources and employment service, has been named director of Human Resources at St. Bonaventure University, effective Nov. 1, announced University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F.
“Sharon’s experience in higher education human resources, as well as her commitment to our Catholic Franciscan mission, position her extremely well to serve our community in this important leadership role,” said Brenda McGee, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.
For the past eight years, Burke has served as Human Resources director at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., where she was responsible for human resources operations for the university’s main campus and five satellite campuses. Her principal duties included budget preparation and management, administration of insurance and employee benefit programs, employee relations, recruitment, compensation management, organizational development/training and reporting. She was a member of Franklin Pierce’s union negotiating team and served on two collective bargaining teams.
She has also held human resources positions with a nonprofit foundation/rehabilitation center and the state of New Hampshire.
When asked what drew her to the human resources field, Burke said, “It is because I am able to make a difference in a people’s lives. I am very excited and honored to be part of a university that clearly believes that by making a strong connection with their students, it will empower them to be significant leaders of conscience who will in turn make the world better place for us all.”
Active in a number of community and professional organizations, Burke is Board President of Chesco, Inc., a non-profit agency that helps adults and youths to live and work successfully in their communities; a volunteer with The Colonial Theatre performing arts center; and a member of the New England Higher Education Recruitment Consortium Steering Committee.
Burke earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Franklin Pierce and an MBA from Plymouth State University.
______________
About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them.