MCC Daily Tribune
Chancellor King and SUNY BOT Appoint Leaders for Hudson Valley, Herkimer County, and Columbia-Greene CCs
Albany, NY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed permanent presidents at Hudson Valley, Herkimer, and Columbia Greene community colleges. The appointments and effective dates are as follows:
Michael Brophy, Ph.D. as president of Hudson Valley Community College, upon recommendation of the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees, on or about August 1, 2025
- Terri Grates Day, Ph.D. as president of Herkimer County Community College, upon recommendation of the Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees, date to be determined
- Victoria L. Walsh, Ed.D. as president of Columbia-Greene Community College, upon recommendation of the Columbia-Greene Community College Board of Trustees, on or about July 1, 2025
The Board also appointed Ken Knelly as acting president for Clinton Community College. Knelly has been serving as administrator in charge during the community college’s relocation to SUNY Plattsburgh. Prior to that he was a special advisor for the Clinton Community College Transition and chief of staff at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY’s community colleges are engines of student success and upward mobility and play a vital role in our state’s economic growth and workforce development. We are grateful to the search committees at each and every campus for bringing strong candidates to move their campus forward at this exciting moment for New York’s community colleges.”
“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and with increasing levels of State investment, our community colleges are providing in-demand academic programs and robust supports to give New Yorkers everything they need to succeed in earning their higher education,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said. “My congratulations to the Columbia-Greene, Herkimer County, and Hudson Valley communities on today’s appointments.”
Hudson Valley Community College: About Dr. Michael Brophy
Dr. Brophy brings more than 35 years of experience in higher education to Hudson Valley Community College. He most recently served as president of Hilbert College. During his time as president, Dr. Brophy increased the school’s enrollment by 30%, enrolling the largest first-year class in the college’s history; increased non-degree enrollment by more than 200%; eliminated the school’s historic operating deficit; and maintained tuition rates below the national average.
Throughout his career he has served at a number of institutions including as president for Benedictine University and Marymount California University, dean and executive officer of the University of Wisconsin Baraboo campus, associate provost at Long Island University, and dean of enrollment at SUNY Canton. A Fulbright recipient, Dr. Brophy has taught English, film, Cuban arts and culture, higher education, leadership and freshman seminar classes with teaching appointments at Long Island University, the University of Wisconsin Colleges, Marymount California University, Russell Sage College, and Benedictine University.
Dr. Brophy earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Long Island University, and a Master of Arts in English as well as a Bachelor of Arts in music both from The College of Saint Rose.
Neil Kelleher, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brophy as the next president of Hudson Valley Community College. With his extensive experience in higher education and a clear understanding of Hudson Valley's essential role in the region, Dr. Brophy is well prepared to lead the college into its next chapter. As a recognized leader in student support, workforce development, and academic excellence, Hudson Valley is poised to build on its strong foundation and expand programs and services that meet the evolving needs of our students and the regional economy. Under Dr. Brophy's leadership, I believe I speak for the entire HVCC family that we are confident the college will continue to grow its impact, guided by his deep commitment to ensuring opportunity for all students-regardless of their background-as they pursue their educational and career goals."
Dr. Brophy said, “I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the leadership of Hudson Valley Community College—an institution widely recognized for creating opportunity, empowering students, and driving regional workforce development. Returning to the Capital Region, where my educational and professional journey began, makes this appointment especially meaningful. I am sincerely grateful to the SUNY Board of Trustees led by Chairman Merryl Tisch, Chancellor John King, Hudson Valley's Board, and Chairman Neil Kelleher for the trust they have placed in me. I look forward to working collaboratively with our students, faculty, staff, and our many partners in education, workforce, and the community to ensure the college's continued growth and success.”
Herkimer County Community College: About Dr. Terri Grates Day
A first-generation college graduate and Herkimer College alumna, Dr. Grates Day returns to Herkimer from Volunteer State Community College where she has served as vice president for academic affairs since 2022. In that capacity, she provides leadership in the development of comprehensive and coordinated instructional programs at four campuses that promote student retention and success. Dr. Grates Day has been responsible for the guidance, supervision, and support for six academic divisions, curriculum development, distance learning, instructional assessment, academic support, tutoring, dual enrollment and K-12 partnerships, course scheduling, library services, and Perkins.
Prior to her role at Volunteer State Community College, Dr. Grates Day was the vice provost for academic administration at University of North Texas, special assistant to the president for planning, information technology, and institutional effectiveness at Southern Utah University, and executive director of institutional research, planning, and effectiveness at Tarrant County College District. Additionally, she has experience within the SUNY System as an instructor and coordinator of student success at Jefferson Community College.
Dr. Grates Day holds a PhD in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration from the University of Dayton, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SUNY's Institute of Technology (now SUNY Polytechnic Institute), and an Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences from Herkimer County Community College.
Herkimer College Board of Trustees Chairman Daniel Reardon said, “Dr. Terri Grates Day is a fantastic SUNY success story, and she is returning to her hometown to be named our college president. We have found someone with both a distinguished career and vast experience, along with a vested interest in our community's success. Herkimer County stands on the cusp of exciting economic development and Dr. Grates Day will not only be a leader at the college, but also within our business community.”
Dr. Grates Day said, “It is the honor of my life to return home and serve the college that first opened the doors of possibility for me. As a proud graduate of Herkimer College, I know the transformative impact this institution can have. Herkimer gave me the foundation to dream bigger and work harder, and now I have the unique privilege of serving the community that shaped who I am. Together with our outstanding faculty, staff, and community partners, I look forward to building on the college’s legacy while also preparing boldly for the future.”
Columbia-Greene Community College: About Dr. Victoria Walsh
Dr. Victoria Walsh is an executive leader with extensive experience in higher education, specializing in strategy development, change management, and leading institutional transformation. She has a proven track record of leading teams and organizations to achieve their educational mission and vision through innovative solutions and strategic initiatives. Dr. Walsh is currently the provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs at Columbia-Greene. In this role, she leads academic programs and administration, enrollment management, institutional effectiveness, and oversees the holistic student experience. She was instrumental in working with campus leadership in the development and implementation of the campus’ Institutional Sustainability Plan, which promotes internal efficiency and provides opportunities for institutional growth.
She has led strategic external initiatives that have advanced the institution through philanthropy and enrollment-generating partnerships. She has extensive experience forging mutually beneficial relationships with key institutions and political influencers. This diversity of practice enables Dr. Walsh to lead across departments and in interdisciplinary ways. She is a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a member of the New York State Chief Academic Officers’ Association.
Dr. Walsh holds a Doctor of Education from Maryville University, a Master of Arts from University of Durham, UK (Ustinov College), a Bachelor of Arts (honors) from University of Durham, UK (St. Aidan’s College) and a Bachelor of Arts (honors) from University of Durham, UK (Ushaw College).
Doreen Parsley Davis, Vice Chair, Columbia-Greene Community College Board of Trustees and Chair, Columbia-Greene Community College Presidential Search Committee, said, “It is a great honor to recognize Dr. Victoria Walsh as the new president of Columbia-Greene Community College. The college’s Board of Trustees and the communities of both counties have had the privilege of working with Dr. Walsh in her current role as provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs. It came as no surprise to us that after a rigorous search that included candidates from across the country that it was Dr. Walsh who was the clear choice for the role of president, leading our efforts to build a vibrant, innovative and, most importantly, sustainable future at the college.”
Dr. Walsh said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to be appointed as the next president of Columbia-Greene Community College. I look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to build a renewed vision focused on student success and greater prosperity for the local communities of Columbia and Greene Counties. I have come to know C-GCC as a vibrant academic community poised for innovation and building programs, which benefit all students. Our students are at the heart of all we do at C-GCC; it is exciting to continue to work with them in realizing their aspirations and dreams. I look forward to increasing our work with SUNY where there are immeasurable possibilities for growth in new academic programs, workforce development pathways, and serving an increasing adult learner population. C-GCC’s future is strong, and I am delighted to partner with the Board, the campus community, and local partners to increase the impact of this institution of higher education in the coming years.”
About The State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit the SUNY website (www.suny.edu).
Patrick Morris
Community Relations
06/04/2025