Contributed Photo Karin Hilgersom has been tabbed as the next SUNY Sullivan president.

SCCC names prez;
approval expected

Story by Frank Rizzo
LOCH SHELDRAKE — The SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees has named Dr. Karin Hilgersom to be the college’s next president, effective February 18, 2013 – pending approval from Albany.
At press time, Dr. Hilgersom’s appointment was expected to be confirmed by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
The news was first reported on the college newpaper’s website SullReal, which also quoted an internal SUNY Sullivan memo which was released at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday announcing the decision and adding that “Dr. Hilgersom’s appointment was confirmed in Albany today by the SUNY.”
Dr. Hilgersom will succeed Dr. William Murabito, who has been serving as the college’s interim president since last year. Dr. Hilgersom is currently serving as vice president for Instruction at Central Oregon Community College (Bend, OR).
Board of Trustees Chairman Nick Speranza stated, “The Board has clearly recognized that this selection of a new President is extremely important to our strategic plan to move SUNY Sullivan to the visionary level we would like to achieve. Dr. Hilgersom is committed to building on our reputation as a leader in progressive community college education.”
The search to replace Dr. Mamie Howard-Golladay began in April 2012, and was overseen by a 20-member presidential search committee co-chaired by Board of Trustees members Phyllis “Penny” Coombe and Paul Guenther.
“The position attracted more than 40 highly qualified, highly motivated applicants. The impressive field was narrowed to nine candidates who interviewed via video conference, leading to a set of four final candidates who each visited campus for in-person meetings with college and community constituencies during November.…
“In particular, [Dr. Hilgersom’] experience leading transfer and workforce programs will be an important asset at SUNY Sullivan, as will her work with major and minor capital building projects from pre-design through completion.
“Her impressive background ranges from work in governance to grants; policy analysis to research; and the classroom to administration.”