HVCC students and staff could soon have a new president
After a nationwide search, students and staff at Hudson Valley Community College could soon find out who will lead the school. The college board of trustees voted Tuesday for who they want as their eighth president.
This latest decision comes 10 months after 13Investigates uncovered a scandal that ended the former president’s career.
The board of trustees made a big step in deciding the future of HVCC, but the selection process is not over yet.
“We’ve put together a good process. An inclusive process. A process that tries to include as many folks on campus as possible,” Neil Kelleher said, board chairman.
Their decision still needs to be approved by the SUNY board of trustees. HVCC is a part of the SUNY system.
Kelleher said their approach was transparent. They invited students, staff, alumni, and the rest of the school community to share with the board what they’re looking for in a new president.
There were several opportunities to speak directly with the candidates.
“It was as inclusive as it could be and still maintained that level of confidentiality,” Kelleher said.
HVCC is searching for a new president after the school fired Roger Ramsammy last year. It was 13investigates reporting that sparked an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint made against former president Ramsammy.
What prompted that complaint has never been made public.
“We have to ensure no matter how much of a process we put together, no matter how detailed it is, how long it takes, you’re always hoping for your best shot. I’m very confident that we got that,” Kelleher said.
HVCC received more than 75 applications. The search was narrowed down to three finalists. Those finalists were even interviewed by the SUNY chancellor, John King Jr.
“I think he said it best. He said, ‘You have managed to come up with three folks who would do a great job of running your institution,’” Kelleher said.
If everything goes as planned, it is expected the new president will be publicly announced at the next SUNY board of trustees meeting on April 29.