The Daemen University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Brian Higgins, a former U.S. Congressman and the CEO & president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, to the university’s board. 

“It’s an honor to welcome Brian Higgins to our Board of Trustees,” said John R. Yurtchuk, chairman of the board. “Throughout his long tenure in Washington, Congressman Higgins' belief in the value of higher education was reflected in the way he continuously supported Daemen University. I look forward to now working with him in this capacity as we continue to strengthen Daemen’s reputation as a university of national distinction.” 

In February, Higgins began his new job at Shea’s where he will oversee an expansion of the campus and work to revitalize Buffalo’s historic theatre district. 

Prior to this role, Higgins served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2005-2024, representing New York’s 26th and 27th congressional districts. He was a member of both the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on the Budget and was a co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus, Historic Preservation Caucus, Northern Border Caucus, Revitalizing Older Cities Task Force, Great Lakes Task Force, and the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition. 

From the FAA Reauthorization Bill in the wake of Flight 3407 to honoring veterans with service medals posthumously, Higgins’ time in Congress will be remembered for a variety of reasons. However, his lasting legacy will be the revitalization of Buffalo’s waterfront. 

Higgins started his political career in 1988 when he was elected to the Buffalo Common Council to represent the South District. From 1999-2004, he served as the 145th district representative in the New York State Assembly. 

Higgins graduated from SUNY Buffalo State University in 1984 with a bachelor of arts in political
science and in 1985 with a master’s degree in history. In 1996, he earned a master of public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also taught in the History and Economics departments at Buffalo State.