Board of Trustees Approves Appointment of Frederick G. Smith as Interim President of North Country Community College

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved the appointment of Frederick G. Smith as Interim President of North Country Community College. Mr. Smith was appointed by the North Country Community College Board of Trustees on Feb. 26, 2008 at an annualized pro-rate salary of $130,000 to be effective July 2, 2008.

This appointment will continue until such time as a presidential search is completed and a new President takes office.  If for any reason the appointment is to be extended past March 11, 2009, further approval of the SUNY Board of Trustees will be required.

Mr. Smith will succeed Gail Rogers Rice, who will retire after having served as President since November 1, 1992.  North Country Community College is conducting a presidential search and Mr. Smith will not be a candidate in the search. 

“The Board of Trustees could not be more pleased with the campus’ selection of Frederick Smith as Interim President at NCCC,” said Chairman Carl T. Hayden. “We are grateful to Mr. Smith for agreeing to coming out of retirement to accept this position and we’re very confident that his leadership and previous experience within the SUNY System and the North Country community will serve the campus very well.”

“North Country Community College is currently seeing an eight percent increase in enrollment over Spring of last year, with their headcount enrollment nearing 1,300 students,” said Interim SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. Clark. “As a SUNY alumnus, himself, and a former faculty member and administrator at three of our campuses, I am confident in Mr. Smith’s ability to lead these students and the faculty at the campus in the coming year.”

President Smith said, “I am humbled, challenged and energized by the confidence shown in me by the Board of Trustees. North Country Community College has a rich history of positively influencing the lives of Essex and Franklin County residents. I look forward to leading the team of dedicated faculty and staff that move the College forward for the benefit of the students and community it serves.”

Mr. Smith served as the Director and Curator of the Alice T. Miner Museum from 1994-2006.  Prior, he was the Academic Dean for Clinton Community College.  He was responsible for the academic leadership and management of a campus enrolling 2,000 students with a professional staff of more than 150.

From 1966–1989, Mr. Smith served in a variety of positions at SUNY Cobleskill and, during this time, also took a six-month leave to work at SUNY Plattsburgh. At SUNY Cobleskill, Mr. Smith served as the Business Division Dean (1973-1989), Accounting Department Chairperson (1970-1972), and Instructor of Accounting (1966-1972).  He also held the title of Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs on two separate occasions, totaling 1.5 years. In this capacity, Mr. Smith was responsible for five academic divisions, a full-time faculty of 130, a student body of 2,600, and the supervision of the following offices: Registrar’s, Lifelong Learning, and Educational Opportunity Program. 

During his six months at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1981, Mr. Smith served as a visiting Instructor of Accounting and an Academic Consultant.  In the latter role, he worked primarily with the Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs and the School of Business and Economics Dean on matters related to transfer students, student advisement, and curriculum. 

Mr. Smith has been an evaluator and team chairperson for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, State Education Department Consultant, a member of the SUNY Plattsburgh Transfer Advisory Board, and a member/officer of both the SUNY Two-Year College Business Faculty Administrators and the SUNY Two-Year Chief Academic Officers.

Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Albany and a Masters of Business Administration from Syracuse University.

North Country Community College maintains a strong reputation for progressive academic curriculum that is anchored in the liberal arts tradition.  College programs are ideal for those students who plan on attaining a 2 or 4 year degree, as well as those seeking a career change. Each year, students enroll at North Country from every region of New York, New England and countries around the world, to receive a progressive and individualized education in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.  As the only public college within the Adirondack Park, students benefit from attendance at one of SUNY’s most unique college campuses.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 427,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.

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