President

Presidential Search Position ProspectusPresidential Search SUNY Schenectady, a public two - year community college within the State University of New York System (SUNY), emphasizing high quality academic programs, broad access for students, and responsiveness to the needs of the community, seeks a collaborative, engaging, and visionary President to lead the College as it continues to empower students in their pursuit of lifelong success. 2Mission & Vision Mission Statement Driven to empower every student in their pursuit of lifelong success.Vision Statement To inspire every student’s success through equitable practices, innovative education, and community engagement. 3Fast Facts 4 SUNY Schenectady County Community CollegeBY THE NUMBERS MORE THANPer year/full-time, NY state resident (2025-2026) Visit sunysccc.edu for current rate.100+PART/hyphen.caseTIMEFULL/hyphen.caseTIME TRANSFER AGREEMENTS WITH FOUR/hyphen.caseYEAR SCHOOLS2,6921,008$5,280FINANCIAL AIDSTUDENTSAGE RANGE 13 TO 7070%OF STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME FORM OF AIDSTUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO15:1>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>TUITIONSTUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS20+ Numbers based on 2024-2025 data. TRANSFER PROGRAMSCAREER PROGRAMSCERTIFICATESMICROCREDENTIALS2018179 60+ACADEMIC PROGRAMSSUNY Schenectady County Community College (SUNY Schenectady) was established in 1967 and offers over 60 academic programs including 18 career programs, 20 transfer programs, 17 certificate programs, and nine microcredentials . The College also partners with Ellis Hospital School of Nursing on multiple pathways. The College’s academic programs are supported by more than 150 full- and part -time faculty and 260 full - and part-time staff. The College currently provides credit coursework for more than 3,800 students, offering more than 100 transfer agreements with four -year schools. As the College has sought to remove barriers to student success, they’ve developed a robust cadre of diverse student support services . The College’s Food Pantry with refrigerated lockers supports students’ food security. Schenectady County is SUNY Schenectady’s primary service area in the Capital region of New York, with approximately 162,000 residents and 1.2M residents in the Capital District of New Y ork. For the past five years, the College has been recognized as the “Best Local College” in the Daily Gazette of Schenectady . The College has an operating budget of more than $32 million. SUNY Schenectady is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, with their next evaluation site visit slated for Spring 2027. The College is governed by a ten -member College Board of Trustees. To learn more about SUNY Schenectady, please visit https:// sunysccc.edu .About SUNY Schenectady 5Overview SUNY Schenectady was officially established by the Schenectady County Board of Representatives on January 26, 1967, after a study made by a citizens committee that showed a need for a community college in the County. Following approvals by the State University of New York and the appointment of Trustees f or SUNY Schenectady, the Van Curler Hotel was purchased by the County and designated as the site for the College. Located on the western edge of the City of Schenectady, the extensively renovated Van Curler Hotel was transformed into a college, and classes began in September 1969. The building was subsequently renamed Elston Hall in honor of Charles W. Elston. Mr. Elston was a member of the original Board of Trustees and served as chairperson of that board for eight years. Elston Hall houses traditional and electronic classrooms, computer learning labs, science and culinary arts laboratories, the Casola Dining Room, the Van Curler Room, the Lally Mohawk Room, meeting rooms, the College Store, a cafeteria and offices. Facilities In 1978, a multi -purpose building was constructed on campus that houses the Begley Library and the Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, home to musical performances and special events. The campus was further enhanced in 1987 when the Center for Science and Technology (CST) opened. This unique facility contains physics and chemistry laboratories, specialized laboratory facilities for computer networking, and faculty offices.History of the College 6A campus development pr oject was completed in 1992. This added a new Student Center in Elston Hall, which includes a cafeteria, the College Store, student lounge, recreational space, biology and geology laboratories, and 15 classrooms. The South Wing addition to Elston Hall added four new culinary arts laboratories and an expanded restaurant facility, the Casola Dining Room. An enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting Elston Hall with the Center for Science and Technology was also added, providing improved access to the CST. In Spring 2000, SUNY Schenectady’s Gateway Building officially opened. The colorful one -story building houses general classrooms, a child -care center, the SUNY Schenectady Montessori Preschool and offices.Construction was completed in Fall 2001 on the Stockade Building, a three -story academic building that houses computer classrooms, traditional classrooms, lecture halls, conference rooms, offices and specialty programs. The Stockade Building is connected to Elston Hall and the Begley Library through an enclosed walkway in the heart of campus. An impressive Culinary Arts Expansion in Elston Hall, completed in August 2007, houses the Casola Dining Room, two culinary arts laboratories, a dedicated kitchen for the Casola Dining Room, a bakery outlet, and a seminar room. In Fall 2011, SUNY Schenectady began offering classes at Center City in downtown Schenectady and expanded at Center City in Fall 2012. 7Also in Fall 2012, the College opened a $3.9 million, 12,600 -square -foot, two -story addition to the Begley Building for the SUNY Schenectady School of Music. The School of Music includes teaching studios, an industry -standard live recording studio, two specialized music classrooms, practice rooms, recital space, teaching studios, faculty offices, and a student lounge. In Fall 2015, the Office of Workforce Development and Community Education moved to the Kindl Building, 201 State St. in Schenectady. In January 2017, the Biotechnology Laboratory and Research Facility opened on the sixth floor of Elston Hall. The facility supports two degree programs – the Biotechnology (A.S.) and the Biological Technician (A.A.S.). The 3,800 -square -foot facility houses two teaching laboratories, a research space dedicated to original scientific investigation in the fields of biology and biotechnology, a microscopic imaging room, and a student collaboration area. An outside quad area with attractive landscaping, benches, and trees, provides recreational and study space for students. A portion of Schenectady County’s bike -hike trail is located on the campus along the edge of the Mohawk River for use by students and the general public. In August 2021, the College opened a new Learning Commons in the Begley Building featuring: labs for math, writing and accounting; a Tutoring Center; the Center for Excellence in Teaching; study rooms; student collaborative spaces; a Career Center; IT support; a reading area; café; and library stacks. In Fall 2021, the College began offering classes in the new Confections Lab in the Mill Lane Artisan District for students in the Culinary Arts/Baking programs, and in the new Gaming Center at Center City for students in the Programming for Game Design program. 8Achieving the Dream Leader College In February 2024, SUNY Schenectady earned the distinction of Leader College by Achieving the Dream (A TD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and economic mobility in their communities. The College has been a member of the ATD network since 2015. Through work with ATD coaches, SUNY Schenectady reimagined the student onboarding process using a professional advising case management model. The College assigned dedicated academic advisors that support the student from their point of acceptance, throughout their journey to the completion of their degree or certificate. Additionally, the College invested in high - quality data structures and systems to provide a more holistic advising experience centered around the student’s personal, academic, and career plans. These measures have been a contributing factor in the College’s overall 4.7 percent increase in certificate - and degree -completion rates. Center for Aviation Science The Center for Aviation Science hangar was funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Transportation, Schenectady County, and New York State Community College capital funding and provides a significant addition to the College’s aviation program by providing a central location for airplane storage and training. The College further enhanced its aviation programs by obtaining FAA certification in April 2025 to become one of seven institutions nationwide to offer the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (A T -CTI) degree program. In preparation for certification, the College opened a new ATC simulator lab, containing three ATC Tower stations, seven 75” monitors to replicate the tower -to-ground experience, four radar TRACON stations, and seven remote pilot stations. The College’s ATC simulator lab is the largest, most comprehensive simulator east of the Mississippi river. MVP Health Care Fitness Court The new MVP Health Care Fitness Court, located near the Mohawk -Hudson Bike Trail Access Point, is a free, open -air wellness center that allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout. The court includes 30 pieces of state -of-the-art equipment, allowing users of all skill levels to leverage their body weight at different angles and resistance levels to increase mobility and muscular strength. Welcome Center Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Student Business Office are now all housed in the We lcome Ce nte r i n Elst on Ha ll, mak ing it more convenient for students to find out more about the College’s academic programs, how to enroll, secure financial aid, and take care of their financial obligations. A new Welcome Desk with staff members greets students and visitors to campus. The extensive renovation to create the Welcome Center was a key component of the College’s 10 -year Facilities Master Plan.Recent Distinctions & New Developments 9Academic Programs Four Academic Divisions •School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism •Liberal Arts •Math, Science, Technology and Health •School of Music Transfer Degree Programs •Aviation Science - Pilot Option •Aviation Science - Non-Pilot Option •Biotechnology •Business Administration •Computer Science •Criminal Justice •Human Services •Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences oCommunication Concentration oEnglish Concentration oHistory Concentration oPsychology Concentration •Mathematics and Science oNanoscale Science Concentration •Nutrition •Performing Arts: Music •Programming for Game Design •Science oBiology Concentration •Teacher Education Transfer Career Programs •Accounting •Air Traffic Control •Biological Technician •Business Administration •Chemical Dependency Counseling •Computer Information Systems •Computer Networking Systems & Cyber Security •Craft Beer Brewing •Craft Spirit Distillation •Criminal Justice •Culinary Arts oBaking Concentration •Early Childhood•Hospitality and Tourism •Management •Hotel and Restaurant Management oBeverage Management •Concentration •Human Services •Music Audio Technology •Paralegal •Supply Chain Management Certificate Programs •Assistant Chef •Bank Financial Security and Money Laundering Prevention •Chemical Dependency Counseling •Community Health Worker •Computer Repair and Networking •Craft Beer Brewing •Craft Spirit Distillation •Digital Music and Beat Production •Direct Support Professional •Early Childhood •Entrepreneurship •Health Studies •Hospitality and Tourism •Medical Coding and Billing •Mobile Food Service •Music •Teaching Assistant Microcredentials •Behavioral Health •Child Development •Fundamentals of Baking and Confections •Global Business and Transportation The Nursing (A.S.) through Ellis Hospital School of Nursing This program prepares students for professional registered nursing licensure by enrolling in the Health Studies Certificate program at SUNY Schenectady and transferring to the nursing program at Ellis Hospital School of Nursing. 10Transfer Opportunities SUNY Schenectady graduates who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree are guaranteed admission to a SUNY four -year campus. This means that students can transfer seamlessly to a SUNY school with guaranteed junior standing into a parallel program at a SUNY four -year campus. SUNY Schenectady graduates are prepared to transfer to schools all over the country. Part of the College’s mission is to offer degree programs that parallel the first two years of programs at four -year institutions, making the transition to another college or university seamless. Through transfer agreements with more than 50 institutions, students can transfer to four -year colleges with junior status in a wide variety of disciplines. Dedicated Faculty SUNY Schenectady professors are experts in their fields and share their real -world knowledge with students. In addition to being highly regarded educators, SUNY Schenectady faculty members are also lawyers, authors, scientists, musicians, chefs, business owners, and pilots. Through small class sizes, faculty engage students in lively discussions, encouraging questions and meaningful dialogue. Numerous faculty have been recognized with SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. 11Schenectady College and Career Outreach Center Overview The Schenectady College and Career Outreach Center (SCCOC), a division of SUNY Schenectady County Community College, provides preparation, referral, and advisement services to NYS residents ages 16 years old and older who are looking to connect to pathways of education, employment, and career and technical training opportunities. The SCCOC is funded by the State University of New York University Center for Academic and Wo rkfo rce Deve lopmen t ( SUNY UCAWD ). History SCCOC opened in Schenectady in November 1977 and for over four decades, the Center has facilitated a neutral and supportive link between low income, educationally bypassed residents residing in Schenectady County and also across the Capital District. SCCOC was first housed in the SETA Building at 240 Broadway in downtown Schenectady. At that time, SCCOC was, “Schenectady County Community College’s Outreach Counseling Program.” Major funding for the Outreach Counseling Program came from the SUNY Office of Special Programs from discretionary Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) funds. The core grant was renewed in September 1978 and September 1979. During the 1979 legislative session, the Outreach Program was approved for designation as a permanent unit of the overall EOC effort, thereby changing the funding from a discretionary grant to a regular allocation. For over four decades, thousands of residents have been served and placed in workforce and educational opportunities as a result of the work that the SCCOC staff do to provide individualized support to deliver the Center’s services and achieve the mission — leading participants to economic self - sufficiency through workforce and/or educational access and placements. 12 Student Life eSports T eam SUNY Schenectady’s eSports team competes nationwide in the ECAC League and statewide in the SUNY League. The new eSports Arena opened in December 2024, with the College’s first teams competing in the Spring 2025 season. As a community - building space where students can enjoy comradery through competitive play, casual gaming, board games, or streaming matches in the broadcast booth, the arena was designed to support access to all and provide a welcoming and collaborative environment for students. Clubs SUNY Schenectady has more than 20 clubs available to students including: •Alliance for Students with Disabilities •American Culinary Federation •Avi ation Club •A.L.A.N.A. •Christian Fellowship Club •Drama Club •Education Opportunity Club •English Language Learners Club •Hospitality Club •Meeting Professionals •International Club •Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society •Pride Alliance •Rhythms Literary Magazine •Stockade Brewers Club •Student Activities Board •Student Government Association •Student Veterans of America •Student Volunteer Organization •Totally Pitchin ’ (A cappella club) 13The Foundation The SUNY Schenectady County Community College Foundation is a nonprofit entity established in 1973 to advance student access, success, and institutional growth at SUNY Schenectady. Its mission centers on mobilizing community support to provide scholarships, investment in programs and facilities, and faculty development. Recent Campaigns & Key Initiatives “Rising Together” Campaign •A recent major fundraising eff ort including three focal areas: oWo rkfo rce In nov atio n Fun d, aligning education with industry needs. oStudent Opportunity Fund, supporting student success. oSUNY Schenectady Fund, providing flexible, mission - sustaining resources. •Celebrated with a campaign gala on June 20, 2025, bringing alumni, donors, and community leaders together.Capital Campaign (Spring 2023 –June 2025) •Raised $8.5 million, surpassing a $6 million goal Scholarship Program Highlights •In the 2024 –2025 academic year, awarded 217 scholarships totaling over $300,000. Mobile Workforce Training — SUNY Schenectady 2U •Using a $1 million workforce grant, the college developed two mobile classrooms to deliver training in advanced manufacturing, health care, and more, targeting underserved students, veterans, and disabled individuals. County -Supported Funding •The College is well supported by its County with annual increases in contribution and generous support for capital projects. •The County launched the Schenectady Promise Program, providing $1.5 million annually to help residents cover tuition gaps, for up to six credit hours per student. •With funding from the County, and matching funds from SUNY , the College has opened a Learning Commons and a We lcome Ce nte r. Upcoming Project •There is a planned project for an $18M aquatics center, with a ground -breaking plan for 2026. 14The Campus SUNY Schenectady is located in a vibrant urban community, along the beautiful Mohawk River. The campus features six academic buildings: Elston Hall with the Casola Dining Room, Stockade Building, Begley Building, Gateway Building, the School of Music, and the Center for Science and Technology. The College also offers classes in the Mill Artisan District in the heart of downtown Schenectady as well as at We stfie ld Fli ght Ac ade my and Richmor Avi ation in Scotia. City of Schenectady, NY Nicknamed the Electric City, Schenectady is the famous home of General Electric. The city’s energetic spirit extends beyond its rich history of innovation. In recent years, the city has developed a vibrant and diverse restaurant scene and an abundance of entertainment options including Proctors Theatre , the Stockade District (New York’s first historic neighborhood), Rivers Casino & Resort , the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) , VIA Aquarium , and an assortment of art galleries and seasonal festivals. For those looking for outdoor entertainment, there are plenty of walking, biking, and hiking trails in and around the city, as well as kayaking on the Mohawk River. Schenectady is also a short drive from the Adirondacks, Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Cooperstown, and Lake George and is within a few hours of New Y ork City, Boston, and Montreal.Location 15Reporting to the College Board of Trustees, the President is the chief executive officer of the College, and is responsible for the overall operation, mission, and promotion of the College, overseeing both academic and workforce programs. The President demonstrates, both within the College and to the external community, a commitment to the philosophy of a modern community college which include academic programs, career programs, transfer programs, workforce development, and continuing education. The President is responsible for the fiscal management of the College, prepares the annual budget, with the assistance of the administrators and faculty of the College, and submits it to the College Board of Trustees, the Schenectady County Legislature, and SUNY Board of Trustees for approval. They assess the effectiveness of the College’s responsiveness in areas of student success, academic programs, enrollment including international recruitment, and institutional integrity as well as lead the goal setting and strategic planning for the College. The Position 16The President is responsible for the management of senior -level Administrators who function as the President’s Council. Engaging fully in shared governance at the College, the President also leads the faculty and the institution to develop new programs, policies, and goals. The President is responsible for the organizational structure of the College, provides appropriate coordination of negotiation and administers contracts associated with collective bargaining agreements, and promotes professional development opportunities for all employees that enhance both individual professional growth and College priorities. Serving as the Secretary to the Board of Schenectady County Community College Foundation, Inc., the President also serves as the College’s chief fundraiser. They are actively engaged in the community, encourage community engagement on behalf of the College, and are responsible for the development and expansion of appropriate and mutually useful community relationships for the College. The President serves as the chief spokesperson and represents the College on local, state, and national boards; task forces; and organizations. They attend national conferences and occasions of significance to the College as well as preside at all major College events. The President implements policies which have been adopted by the State Educational Law, the College Board of Trustees, and the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York system. They maintain working relationships with legislators across the city, county, state, and federal levels, and assure compliance of the College with requirements of local, state, and federal governments. The President develops the agendas for meetings of the Board of Trustees with the Board Chair, recommends policies to the College Board of Trustees for regular updating or renewal, and will carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board of Trustees. Salary: $225,000 - $230,000. The housing allowance is $2,500 a month ($30,000 for the year). 17Qualifications •The next President of SUNY Schenectady will be dedicated to open access, the student - centered mission of community colleges and the vital role they play in education, workforce development, and community advancement. •They will model a leadership approach that inspires trust, encourages innovation, supports shared governance, and promotes unity and collaboration across all areas of the College. •They will bring evidence of the ability to lead, delegate, motivate, and collaborate effectively with teams of faculty, staff, and stakeholders. •The preferred candidate will bring a familiarity with or understanding of collective bargaining processes and labor relations in higher education settings. •Experience in curriculum development and instruction is highly desirable. •They will embrace accountability to a wide range of stakeholders, including students, employees, governing boards, elected officials, and community members, with openness and integrity. •Demonstrating exceptional communication skills and public presence, the ideal candidate will possess strong public speaking skills, clarity in written and verbal communication, and the ability to serve as a compelling and credible representative of the College in myriad forums. •They will be politically savvy; understand and respect the political and legislative environments at the local, state, and federal levels; and effectively advocate for the mission, values, and needs of the College. •The ideal candidate will possess the ability to facilitate informed decision -making, build consensus, respond thoughtfully to challenges, and manage institutional responsibilities with efficiency, follow -through, and attention to detail. •They will demonstrate a deep sensitivity to all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and lived experiences of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community and foster an inclusive and welcoming campus climate. •A terminal degree i s required. •Preferred candidates will also have significant leadership experience in higher education. •Comparable administrative or executive experience outside of education may be considered.18The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Y orkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, and the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit - and non -credit -bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system -wide were nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu .About The State University of New Y ork System 19APPLICATIONS Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae to RPA Inc. at SCCCPresident@rpainc.org . For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please email Kira Heath, Search Manager; Amanda O’Donnell, Vice President and Senior Consultant; or Dana John Cohick, President, at the email address listed above. SUNY Schenectady County Community College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We encourage protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, women and minorities to apply. 20