NYSHEI represents the interests of public and private academic and research libraries in New York State.
NYSHEI assists over 130 member institutions in providing the broadest possible access to information, fostering all academic enterprise, and advancing industry-academic partnerships in support of the “innovation economy.” This includes advocating for academic libraries before elected officials and their staff.
Founded in 2002 under the guidance of then-SUNY Provost Peter Salins, and brought together by its co-conveners, Loretta Ebert, then of RPI and currently with the NYSL, and Carey Hatch of SUNY, NYSHEI is governed by an unpaid Board of Directors that is elected by the membership, by category.
Board Chair
Chris Filstrup is Board Chair for 2008-2009.
Executive Director
A government relations and public affairs professional, Jason Kramer was named NYSHEI Executive Director in January of 2007.
Given a mandate to advance the advocacy efforts of NYSHEI while improving member communications, Mr. Kramer draws up his prior experiences. Prior to joining NYSHEI Mr. Kramer served as Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications for the Research Foundation of SUNY. He has also worked as the Senior Research Analyst for the Manhattan Institute’s Empire Center for Public Policy, The Director of Government Relations and lobbyist for the New York State Catholic Conference, and as a staff member in the New York State Assembly in various capacities.
Mr. Kramer has a M.A. and B.A. in American History with a particular interest in the American Transcendentalists. He has served as a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and universities on subjects as diverse as the U.S. Civil War, NYS politics, and political campaigning.