Two Administrators Part of Inaugural Community College Leadership Academy

June 27, 2024

Two Hudson Valley Community College administrators were among the first group of faculty and staff members from across the SUNY system to complete the inaugural New York State Community College Leadership Academy.

Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Ian LaChance and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronalyn Wilson recently completed the one-year program, which was created to help community college leaders in a variety of areas, including student success, ethics and advancing institutional change.

The fellowship program was based on a curriculum from the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program and the Success Center for Ohio Community Colleges. Its goal is to strengthen the pipeline of leaders within community colleges who can implement reforms that help more students succeed.

Funding was provided by the Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation.

Participants were nominated by senior leaders on their campuses based on their proven leadership and experience. In all, 34 staff and faculty members from across SUNY’s 30 community colleges completed the fellowship.

“I valued the opportunity to network with SUNY colleagues, to develop a capstone project, and to engage in rich conversations about a variety of issues that impact our community colleges and students throughout the state,” said Wilson. “I highly recommend the Leadership Academy to any colleague interested in advancement within the community college sector.”

“Through this program, I’ve forged relationships with colleagues throughout New York’s community colleges that I know I’ll be relying on for years to come. I’ll forever be grateful for this opportunity and the things I have gained as a result,” LaChance said. “To be able to discuss with my SUNY peers how leaders can leverage their positions to positively affect student success is a gift.”