The Role of the President

The President plays a prominent, visible leadership role both within the College and across the community. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President is in charge of the administration of the College and managing financial resources. The President must be a respectful and transparent leader; an open communicator; and a collaborative visionary. As the top administrator, the President is ultimately responsible for the quality of education and services provided to SUNY Ulster’s students. The President must ultimately inspire faculty, students, and staff to work together to achieve new levels of operational and instructional excellence. 

As an external advocate, the President must develop appropriate coalitions, promote community college higher education, engage in statewide educational finance debates, and build strong working relationships and partnerships with government, businesses, industry, and other educational institutions and organizations.In collaboration with the Ulster Community College Foundation leadership and administration, the President will be the chief fundraiser for the College, articulating its needs and its contributions to the community. An aggressive fundraising campaign is anticipated over the next several years. 

Reporting to the President are the Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Management as well as the Deans of Academic Affairs, Administration and Advancement and Continuing Education. The President serves as a Board member with the Ulster Community College Foundation Board and meets regularly with community constituents and advisory groups. 

SUNY Ulster seeks a new President as Dr. Donald Katt retires in August 2015. President Katt joined the College in 1968 and served in several leadership positions before becoming President in 2000. The College has also recently hired a new Dean of Academic Affairs and a new Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and External Relations, which were both vacated due to retirements.