The Search for Clinton's Next President

Clinton Community College, a public, two-year institution dedicated to serving the educational, workforce, and economic development needs of Clinton County and the greater North Country region of New York State, seeks a collaborative, participatory, visible, and visionary President to lead the College as it continues to empower individuals to create their own paths to personal and professional growth.

The Institution

Founded in 1966, Clinton Community College (CCC) is one of 30 community colleges within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the largest comprehensive public higher education system in the United States. Since its inception, CCC has served as a vital access point to higher education for generations of students, contributing significantly to regional workforce preparation, social mobility, and community vitality. The College is supported by 68 full- and part-time faculty and 64 staff.

CCC operates under an open-access mission, welcoming learners from diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. The College provides affordable, high-quality educational opportunities that support degree completion, career advancement, and transfer to four-year institutions. Through small class sizes, personalized instruction, and close faculty-student engagement, CCC fosters an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that emphasizes academic excellence, personal growth, and civic responsibility. Academic offerings span business, health sciences, the liberal arts, applied technology, and workforce-aligned disciplines, reflecting regional labor market needs and student aspirations. The College currently enrolls approximately 1,000 full- and part-time students and operates a robust College Advancement Program (CAP), enabling high school students throughout Clinton County to earn college credit while completing their secondary education. Additionally, CCC continues to grow its Prison Education Program. The College is also home to the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM), a state-of-the-art facility established through SUNY economic development investment. The Institute serves as a regional hub for manufacturing education, workforce training, and industry collaboration, supporting priority sectors identified by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. Student life at CCC includes intercollegiate athletics, student organizations, leadership development opportunities, and campus engagement activities.

In August 2025, Clinton Community College completed a historic co-location initiative with SUNY Plattsburgh, transitioning the core of its academic and administrative operations to SUNY Plattsburgh’s main campus. This strategic decision preserved access to public higher education in Clinton County while
 
positioning the College for long-term sustainability. The co-location has expanded opportunities for shared services, resource optimization, enrollment growth, and enhanced student support, while maintaining CCC’s distinct mission, governance, and community college identity. This pivotal transition represents a defining moment in the College’s history, requiring thoughtful leadership, transparent communication, and sustained collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. For more information on the College, please visit www.clinton.edu. For news, including highlighted faculty profiles, please visit here.

The Position

Reporting to the Clinton Community College Board of Trustees, the President serves as the chief executive officer, responsible for strategic direction, academic and administrative operations, fiscal management, external relations, and advocacy. Among other opportunities, the next President will lead CCC in its continued co-location relationship with SUNY Plattsburgh; cultivate enrollment growth, student success, and retention; strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and educational institutions; advance fiscal sustainability and resource development; and serve as the chief ambassador for the College locally, regionally, and statewide. The President works with collective bargaining units; engages constructively with faculty governance bodies; and fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. The President provides strong stewardship of public resources, oversees budget development and financial planning, and pursues external funding opportunities through grants, partnerships, and philanthropy. Enrollment growth, retention, and completion will remain central strategic priorities, requiring data-informed decision making and innovative approaches to student recruitment and support. Additionally, the President will champion initiatives that promote inclusive excellence, reduce barriers to student success, and foster a welcoming campus climate. This includes supporting academic support services, advising, financial aid access, and partnerships that address students’ holistic needs.

Qualifications

Clinton Community College seeks a President who will provide visionary, collaborative, and transparent leadership at a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. The Presidential Search Committee and Board of Trustees at Clinton Community College will be considering and giving preference to the following qualifications and skills:

• Senior leadership experience in higher education or a mission-aligned sector.
• Demonstrated success in budget management and public finance.
• A strong commitment to access, equity, and student success.
• Experience building partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• An understanding of the community college mission and workforce development.

A master’s degree is required; an earned doctorate or equivalent executive experience is preferred.

The Location

Plattsburgh, New York, is a vibrant small city located along the western shore of Lake Champlain, near the Adirondack Mountains and within proximity to Burlington, Vermont and Montréal, Québec. The region offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cross-border connectivity, and cultural richness. Plattsburgh serves as the regional center for education, healthcare, manufacturing, and government services.
 
Residents enjoy a lower cost of living relative to statewide averages; abundant outdoor recreation, arts, and cultural offerings; and a strong sense of community. Short commute times and accessible housing contribute to a high quality of life. The North Country’s economy includes manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, tourism, and public service, creating meaningful opportunities for institutional partnerships and regional impact.

About The State University of New York System

The State University of New York (SUNY) is the nation’s largest comprehensive public university system, encompassing 64 campuses that include research universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and academic medical centers. SUNY serves nearly
1.3 million learners annually through credit-bearing programs, continuing education, workforce training, and community engagement initiatives. The system’s three million alumni contribute to New York State’s economic vitality, civic leadership, and global influence. As a SUNY community college, Clinton Community College operates under the authority of the SUNY Board of Trustees and in partnership with its local sponsor, Clinton County. This dual governance structure reflects the College’s responsibility to both statewide educational priorities and local community needs. CCC benefits from SUNY’s systemwide academic articulation agreements, transfer pathways, shared services, and initiatives such as SUNY Reconnect, which support adult learners seeking to complete degrees or re-enter higher education. SUNY’s emphasis on access, affordability, equity, and student success aligns closely with CCC’s mission. Within this context, the President of Clinton Community College must effectively navigate both system-level priorities and local expectations, advocating for the College’s interests while contributing to the broader goals of SUNY. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

Salary

$150,000 - $175,000

Application

Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae to RPA Inc. at ClintonCCPresident@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please email Kendra Mozug, Search Consultant; Amanda O’Donnell, Vice President and Senior Consultant; or Dana John Cohick, President, at the email address listed above. The review of candidates will begin on March 18, 2026.

It is the policy of Clinton Community College to provide equal opportunity in employment for all qualified individuals without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, arrest record, veteran or marital status, or other basis prohibited by law, except as such conditions may constitute bona fide occupations or assignment qualifications.

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