President

SUNY Plattsburgh, a vibrant, four-year, public comprehensive college and member of the State University of New York’s (SUNY) comprehensive system of higher education, seeks a visionary leader and accomplished administrator committed to student-centered academic excellence, experiential learning, faculty scholarship and professional development to serve as the College’s next President. The State University of New York (SUNY) and the SUNY Plattsburgh College Council invite applications from skilled and experienced academic administrators who want to build on the success of retired President John Ettling, who has led the institution through its first-ever major comprehensive campaign raising more than $16 million, the completion of a Facilities Master Plan, and the construction of two new buildings.

 

The Institution: Founded in 1889, SUNY Plattsburgh has a strong history of meeting regional and statewide needs for higher education. Located in the heart of the north country, it is also a major driver of the economic and cultural well-being of the community. Today, SUNY Plattsburgh fulfills its motto “A Proud Past, A Strong Future,” by preparing a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students for a wide range of professional pursuits, responsible citizenship, and ethical life based on a strong foundation in the liberal arts. The College is a selective public institution offering an affordable yet high-quality education. The College enrolls over 5,500 students in more than 60 baccalaureate, certificate, and master’s programs in the sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, as well as health and human services. With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 22 students, SUNY Plattsburgh students receive individual attention from the College’s outstanding faculty and staff.  A student-centered approach to higher education is the hallmark of the “Plattsburgh Experience”.  As a residential College, Plattsburgh houses approximately 2,700 students, including over 300 international students representing 75 countries. SUNY Plattsburgh is a NCAA Division III College with 18 varsity teams. To learn more about the College, please visit https://www.plattsburgh.edu. Recent achievements of the College are summarized in the 2017-2018 Annual Report which may be found at  http://www.plattsburgh.edu/annualreport.

 

The Position: Reporting to the SUNY Chancellor and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees, the President is the Chief Administrative Officer of the College and has overall legal responsibility for the operation of the College. Among the duties assigned, the President is responsible for the preparation and recommendation of the annual College budget request and the allocation of resources. The President makes policy decisions with respect to the mission, plans, and development of the campus. The President promotes the development and effectiveness of the College through the supervision of the academic and nonacademic staff and has legal responsibility for the appointment, reappointment, promotion, and separation from services of all staff members. As Chief Administrative Officer, the President assigns duties, powers, and responsibilities to other administrative and academic officers or to special committees. Directly reporting to the President are the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Executive Director for Communications and Public Affairs and the Affirmative Action Officer.

 

Qualifications: The successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to the College’s overall mission, support diversity, and reinforce a student-focused environment. The new President must also demonstrate strategic planning and implementation skills, decisive management that values input and also responds effectively to emerging opportunities and challenges facing colleges similar to SUNY Plattsburgh, and familiarity with accreditation processes. The successful candidate will provide effective leadership by exhibiting innovative and creative approaches relevant to the College’s mission. Additionally, the successful candidate must possess: a distinguished reputation within the candidate’s field of study; a track-record of sound financial management; an interest in engaging alumni, donors, and the regional community; and the ability to stimulate collegiality and shared inquiry. A personal desire to engage with and be visible to students is critical. This person will be part of an environment committed to shared governance and transparency. The consistent ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with campus constituents, SUNY system administration, other SUNY institutions, and community leaders is vital. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of presidents that is fully engaged in dialogue and planning at a national level during a critical time that requires SUNY’s unparalleled commitment to student success, academic excellence, leadership, research and economic and community engagement. A demonstrated record of professional experience in higher education is required to lead SUNY Plattsburgh. Qualified candidates are required to possess an earned doctorate.

 

Location: Situated in one of the world’s most beautiful regions – SUNY Plattsburgh’s main campus is on Lake Champlain between the Adirondack Mountains and Green Mountains. The College’s 256-acre campus sits on the edge of the city’s downtown area. The population of the city and adjacent town of Plattsburgh totals over 31,000. The Plattsburgh area is home to a variety of arts and cultural venues, including the renovated Strand Center for the Arts, and boasts a rich history and many community and special events. It is an active waterfront city featuring a small town feel combined with the advantages and opportunities of a larger urban center. The city was selected as a recipient of a $10 million state investment to grow and further develop the downtown corridor. Excellent schools, superior hospitals, health and elder care services, wide retail offerings and a wealth of employment opportunities abound. The area is a strong, growing hub for manufacturers, assembly operations, and regional distribution services. It is also an emerging home to microbreweries, wineries, community-supported agriculture, and more. Major employers are SUNY Plattsburgh, UVM Health Network/Champlain Physicians Hospital, and nearby NYS correctional facilities. The campus is within easy traveling distance to Montreal, Quebec; Lake Placid, N.Y.; and Burlington, VT.

 

About SUNY: SUNY is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 1.3 million students, including 600,000 in credit bearing courses and programs and more than 700,000 through continuing education and community outreach programs on 64 college and university campuses, and online through Open SUNY. SUNY students and faculty across the state make significant contributions to research and discovery, resulting in nearly $1 billion of externally-sponsored activity each year. The mission of SUNY is to provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population in a complete range of academic, professional, and vocational postsecondary programs, including such additional activities in pursuit of these objectives as are necessary or customary. SUNY was established in 1948 and today SUNY employs 90,000 faculty and staff and connects nearly three million alumni worldwide. SUNY influences nearly every community in the State of New York, with 93% of the state’s population living within 15 miles of a SUNY campus. The Chancellor increasingly looks to the campus presidents to work collaboratively with other SUNY colleges, administrators, faculty and staff, and surrounding communities to lower cost, enhance productivity, and elevate the importance of degree completion at each institution.

 

Application: Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and curriculum vitae to RPA Inc. at SUNYPlattsburgh@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please call Amanda O’Donnell, Search Consultant, at 800-992-9277. The first review of candidates will begin on July 9, 2019, and first round interviews will commence thereafter.

 

SUNY Plattsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation. Please visit our Office of Human Resources website at: https://www.plattsburgh.edu/about/offices-divisions/administration-finance/human-resources/index.html