SUNY BOT Approves Dr. Barbara G. Risser as President of Finger Lakes Community College

Albany -- The State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved the appointment of Dr. Barbara G. Risser as the President of Finger Lakes Community College, effective Oct. 26, 2007.

The Board of Trustees of Finger Lakes Community College appointed Dr. Barbara Risser as Administrator-in-Charge, effective August 8, 2007. Following a national search and interviews at the campus level and with SUNY System Administration senior staff, the Finger Lakes Board of Trustees adopted a resolution approving the selection of Dr. Barbara Risser to serve as the college’s next president on July 5, 2007. 

“Dr. Risser has a great deal of experience in higher education and particularly within SUNY’s community college sector,” said Interim SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. Clark. “I am confident that she will be a strong and effective leader for the campus. I commend the Boards of Trustees at SUNY and Finger Lakes Community College for recognizing Dr. Risser’s talents and placing their confidence in her with this appointment.”

“Dr. Risser’s 26 years of experience at Onondaga Community College and her service as Finger Lakes Community College president for the last several months will prove to be of great value to the students, faculty and staff of the campus,” said SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl T. Hayden.  “I am pleased to be a part of this confirmation and look forward to working with Dr. Risser.”

"I am truly honored that the SUNY Board of Trustees has approved my appointment as the fourth President of Finger Lakes Community College," said Dr. Risser. "I am grateful to be a part of this new chapter of the College's history, and I am looking forward to shaping the future of this outstanding institution."

Prior to this appointment, Risser was serving as the vice president of student and academic services at Onondaga Community College since 2004. Previously, she served at Onondaga Community College as associate vice president for arts and sciences from 2001 to 2004; professor of English/reading from 1995 to 2001; associate professor of English from 1989 to 1994; and assistant professor of English/reading from 1981 to 1988. 

During her 20 years as a faculty member at Onondaga Community College, Risser served in a variety of faculty governance roles, ranging from chair of the faculty to member of the Faculty Executive Committee.  She also served as chair or co-chair of several other committees, and she participated as a member of the Onondaga Community College delegation to Namibia. 

Risser has been honored with several awards and distinctions, including the Onondaga Community College Trustees Awards, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award, and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.  She also is an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Risser recently earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, and her dissertation focused on the entrepreneurial community college.  She received a master’s of science degree in reading education from Syracuse University and a bachelor of arts degree in English education from Hartwick College.

She will be the college’s fourth president, replacing Dr. Daniel T. Hayes, who retired from FLCC after having served as President for 15 years.

A native of central New York, Risser enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time. Risser resides in Canandaigua, NY, with her husband Fred.

Established in 1965, Finger Lakes Community College enrolled its first class of 210 students in 1968. Today, the college has grown considerably, enrolling more than 5,150 credit-seeking students (Fall 2006) and offering more than 40 associate degrees and credited certificate programs designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce or transfer to four-year institutions. The college offers classes in Canandaigua, Geneva, and Newark, New York.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 417,500 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. 

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