MCC Daily Tribune

MCC Proud: Meet Dr. Andrew Knapp

Dr. Andrew Knapp is the Chair of the Psychology Department at Monroe Community College (MCC). He is currently in his fifth year of full-time teaching after serving as an adjunct in the 2008-09 academic year.

Dr. Knapp’s path to higher education and teaching was anything but traditional. He began his college education in his 40s after serving in the U.S. Army and spending more than 25 years working at Kodak, including two and a half years mentoring engineering staff in China.

“I found that it was the most rewarding thing I had, to that point, ever done,” he recalls. After returning from China, he enrolled at MCC as an adult student. It was there that he discovered his passion for psychology and for teaching at the community college level.

He earned his associate degree from MCC in 2002, followed by a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in 2009, both from SUNY Brockport. That same year, Knapp and his wife moved to Vermont so he could pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Vermont—an achievement he completed at age 58.

During his academic journey, Knapp also worked as an independent contractor and handyman while earning his master’s degree. He went on to teach at Jamestown Community College and served as the psychology discipline coordinator and an associate professor at Finger Lakes Community College, where he taught for six years. Now in his thirteenth year of teaching at community colleges, Knapp remains committed to student success.

Knapp regularly hears from former students who go on to earn higher degrees. “I recently learned that one of my students was accepted into a master’s program,” he added. “I find that the success of my students is not only the most memorable, but among the most rewarding things in my life.”

When asked what advice he would give current students, Knapp said, “Students often consider transferring to a 4-year school before finishing their degree at MCC. I always advise against that because we cannot predict what may happen tomorrow, let alone in 3 or 4 years. Once earned, that AS from MCC is yours! If you transfer before you earn it, you may never complete a degree at all for reasons impossible to foresee today. Stay here! Complete your degree.”

For those considering enrolling in MCC, Knapp added, “Take advantage of credit for prior learning. Take a College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test, talk with a success coach to see where your experiences in life can be applied to MCC college credit. Try not to look at how long the journey might be, just get started and enjoy the ride.”

Outside of MCC, Knapp is a member of several professional organizations in psychology, including the Association for Psychological Science, the American Psychological Association, and the Psychonomic Society.

Fun Facts About Dr. Andrew Knapp

Courtney: What is your favorite movie?
Andrew: The Matrix.
Courtney: What is your favorite sports team?
Andrew: Bills football, Red Bull Formula 1
Courtney: What is your biggest fear?
Andrew: There will be no United States of America for my grandchildren.
Courtney: Is there anything about you that people are surprised to learn?
Andrew: I guess it would be related to my late start in college and that I was able to earn a Ph.D. at a pretty advanced age.
Courtney: If you could attend a dinner with any celebrity, living or dead, who would you choose?
Andrew: Stanley Milgram
Courtney: Do you prefer staying up late or waking up early in the morning?
Andrew: I’m an early riser and a strong advocate for adequate sleep.

Photo Caption: Headshot of Dr. Andrew Knapp wearing a light blue dress shirt and glasses as he looks at the camera.

Attached Files:
AKnapp Portrait.jpg

Courtney Weimar
Community Relations
12/10/2025