SUNY Chancellor pays a visit to HCCC
Dr. Nancy Zimpher, the new Chancellor of SUNY schools made a stop at Herkimer County Community College as part of her tour of the 64 SUNY institutions in the state. Zimpher assumed the chairman's post early in June this year and is in the first phase of a strategic planning designed to keep SUNY on the cutting edge. She has four stops left to complete the tour.
State Assemblyman Marc Butler and more than half of the Herkimer County Legislature were in attendance at the breakfast meeting with Zimpher. Referring to the summer long tour of SUNY colleges, Zimpher called it "an opportunity to listen" to the specific needs and concerns of each institution. "SUNY is obligated to bring each campus into their community. We must seek to serve that community's needs and do what it takes to keep some of these gifted and well educated students within the region upon graduation," Zimpher said.
As the first phase of SUNY's strategic plan winds down, Zimpher outlined the remainder of the plan. Phase two of the operation will involve the analysis of the data collected from each of the 64 campuses. Phase three will the presentation of the study and plan of action for the future. "Our goal is to present a plan that makes it clear that when considering the SUNY institutions, the whole system is greater than the sum of its parts."
Zimpher also promised better, clearer communication lines between the SUNY colleges, including access from each campus to the collective libraries of all other institutions. The simplification of student mobility between SUNY campuses is also a top priority. Referring to these and other changes, Zimpher called it "a golden opportunity" to improve these and other aspects of intercommunication between SUNY institutes. "Each and every SUNY campus is distinctive and unique, we are dedicated to opening these lines of communication in our continuing pursuit of excellence," she said.
Zimpher spoke of the role of a SUNY college within the community it serves. "A successful academic institution results from a combination of public and private support," said Zimpher, "We need to focus on 'friend-raising' as well as fund raising as we plan for the future."
After breakfast in the Cogar Gallery, Zimpher was escorted by HCCC President Dr. Ann Marie Murray on a tour of the campus and its facilities. They paid a visit to the dorms, where returning students were beginning to arrive, ready for the start of the school year. A tour of the athletic fields and a meeting with the Herkimer General's soccer team was also part of the itinerary. The chancellor was honored by the team with a Herkimer College Soccer T-shirt, as well as an official game ball, signed by members of the team.
"Herkimer County Community College is such a vital part of this community," said Zimpher. "And I believe that if you get things right at the local level, the rest of the world will notice."