Questions about the Chamber? Call Us! 518.563.1000

CHAMBER WELCOMES SELECTION OF NEW CCC PRESIDENT

08 Mar 2022

CHAMBER WELCOMES SELECTION OF NEW CCC PRESIDENT


 The North Country Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the selection of Dr. John Kowal as the new President of Clinton Community College.

"The board and SUNY have chosen very well," says Garry Douglas, Chamber President. "John Kowal combines knowledge and insight with a great dose of enthusiasm about the college and its future. And he has shown an invaluable ability to collaborate and partner, which is central to maximizing the college's opportunities. We couldn't be more pleased for Clinton and for our regional economy."

Adds Douglas, "Ray DiPasquale did great things for Clinton Community College but one of the great things he did was recruiting John Kowal. It has been a pleasure at all times working with John on the future of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, on the growing partnership with Clarkson University, and in support of our growing cluster of transportation equipment companies. And now we can know that the positive partnership between CCC and the Chamber will grow even broader and deeper. Onward and upward!"


Dr. John Kowal Appointed as Clinton Community College President

President Kowal’s Appointment is Effective Immediately

The SUNY Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. John Kowal as the next president of Clinton Community College. Dr. Kowal will be the college’s 9th president following an extensive search led by Clinton Community College Board of Trustees. The appointment is effective immediately.

“Dr. Kowal has extensive higher education experience and a keen sense of the evolving demands of our students to prepare them to pursue their careers, in fact he has been our architect for some our most recent academic programs we have launched for our students,” said Clinton Community College Board Chair David Favro. “His student-centric approach is clear and really resonated with the students who served in our search committee. My congratulations to Dr. Kowal. We look forward to continuing our work together for the Clinton Community College and the region we proudly serve.

“I am truly honored to take on this role and eager to continue to work in collaboration with our Board, campus leaders and staff, and our esteemed faculty to build on what we provide to generations of students—namely a good education and experience in a welcoming and supportive environment,” said President Kowal. “Clinton Community College has benefited from strong public and private support, which has been used to provide state-of-the-art technology and classrooms for our students, and together we will continue to advance our offerings to ensure our students are well positioned to succeed. My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor Deborah Stanley, and our Clinton Community College Board.”

About Dr. John Kowal

Dr. John Kowal has been serving as Clinton Community College’s administrator in charge as of August 2021. Prior to that, he served as vice president for academic affairs at the college. Over the course of  three years, Dr. Kowal successfully has helped lead  the development of 17 new articulation transfer pathways to CCC programs; comprehensive transfer agreements with SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Empire State College; and a dual admission agreement with SUNY Plattsburgh, the first of its kind for the community college. He also guided the development and secured approval of four new academic programs, including the first Associate in Occupational Studies degree at CCC.

Working closely with local school districts, Dr. Kowal has facilitated significant growth of the College Advancement Program. Dr. Kowal has also led a participative and inclusive process for writing and implementing Clinton Community College’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and led the development of the strategic plan for the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing. He oversees the college’s Middle States self-study required for continuation of accreditation.

Dr. Kowal is committed to providing access to education and resources to the communities served by the College. This includes collaboration with business and education partners in planning the annual North Country Manufacturing Day for area high school students, supporting the development of new workforce development programs in welding and robotics to meet local industry needs, and partnering with a regional veterans’ center to provide on-campus services to local veterans.

He has held numerous leadership positions over the past 17 years. In all his roles, Dr. Kowal has interacted extensively with private and public sector professionals, educators, and leaders to build partnerships with other colleges, organizations, and businesses and to advocate for the college and students.

Dr. Kowal holds a doctor of philosophy in educational administration from the University at Albany, a master of science in plant and soil sciences from the University of Massachusetts, and a bachelor of arts in biology from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.