Knelly Named Acting President at Clinton Community College

The State University of New York Board of Trustees named Ken Knelly as acting president of Clinton Community College. Knelly has been serving as administrator in charge, under a contract with SUNY Plattsburgh, since May 2024.

"I am pleased the SUNY board has taken this step to solidify leadership during our transition," said Devi Momot, chair of the Clinton Community College Board of Trustees. "I am also appreciative of Ken's willingness to continue the work of heading our campus through these unprecedented times. The work over the past year -- from survival and reaccreditation to new campuses and new possibilities -- has been extraordinary."
 
"It is the community college board's intention to conduct a search for a permanent president early in 2026. Ken will be eligible to apply for this position, as will others."

The formal action of the SUNY board follows its passing of a January 2025 resolution limiting the terms of any temporary appointments of an officer in charge or an administrator in charge to no longer than one year. The Clinton Community College board will take up the action at its next meeting on June 17.
 
Under longstanding SUNY guidance and practice, administrators in charge appointed by local boards of trustees for community colleges do not receive SUNY Board of Trustees review or approval. Pursuant to these protocols, these appointments unapproved at the state level are intended to be reserved for short periods of time when the institution would otherwise be left with a leadership gap.
 
Clinton Community College is moving this summer from its current location to buildings on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus and space adjacent to The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. Fall 2025 classes will be held in the new locations.

Prior to leading as administrator in charge, Knelly served as Special Advisor to SUNY for the Clinton Community College Transition from February to May 2024. He served at SUNY Plattsburgh from 2014-2024, most recently as chief of staff.