Presidential Search Finalists

Dr. Alison Buckley's Cover Letter

Dr. Alison Buckley's CV

Dr. Alison Buckley's Finalist Interview Schedule

Dr. Alison Buckley's Feedback Survey

Dr. Alison Buckley serves as the seventh president of SUNY Ulster. She assumed office in 2022, and brought with her a student-centered approach to leadership, focusing on cultivating a culture of inclusive excellence and increasing degree completion and advancing economic mobility. 

Dr. Buckley’s dedicated her career to ensuring that all community college students have the resources needed to be successful. Prior to being named president of SUNY Ulster, Dr. Buckley served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs for Connecticut State Community Colleges, where she established and directed the strategic enrollment management division for the state’s community colleges. During her time in the Connecticut State Community College System, she served thirteen campuses with approximately 50,000 students. Some of her accomplishments include the establishment of the first community college strategic enrollment management plan and successfully completing the New England Commission for Higher Education substantive change process to merge the colleges into a single institution and working closely with the United States Department of Education on the technical components of the merger.   Dr. Buckley also served for seven years as the associate vice president of enrollment management at Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia, Maryland. During her tenure, HCC was consistently recognized for best practices in the field of enrollment management. Dr. Buckley has taught at the American College, Dublin, the Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College, and Howard Community College. 

Dr. Buckley has presented nationally on matters related to enrollment management and performance improvement. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee of Presidents for the Association of Community College Trustees and on American Association of Community Colleges Commission on College Readiness. She was recently named as an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellow. 

Dr. Buckley earned a doctorate in organizational leadership studies from Northeastern University, a master’s degree in history and a postgraduate certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware, an M.Phil. in women’s studies from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, and an M.B.A from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. She holds a bachelor’s degree in classics and history from Randolph College.  

Dr. Sedgwick Harris' Cover Letter

Dr. Sedgwick Harris' CV

Dr. Sedgwick Harris' Finalist Interview Schedule

Dr. Sedgwick Harris' Feedback Survey

Meet Dr. Sedgwick Harris, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience shaping the future of community college education. As the Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Dr. Harris is a driving force behind the strategic transformation of various administrative sectors, propelling the college towards a new era of excellence. 

His journey in community college administration began at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he started as an admissions assistant and quickly rose through the ranks. Over the next decade, he took on increasingly senior roles, shaping the college's strategic enrollment management strategies and leaving an indelible mark on the institution. 

In 2007, Dr. Harris brought his leadership acumen to Kaskaskia College as the Vice President of Student Services. It was here that he implemented rigorous academic standards in athletics and spearheaded the creation of the University Alliance program, forging powerful transfer partnerships that opened new doors of opportunity for students. 

His impact continued at Kishwaukee College, where he began his tenure as the Vice President of Student Services in 2013. Here, he not only facilitated a groundbreaking reverse transfer agreement with Northern Illinois University, but also secured two highly competitive U.S. Department of Education TRiO grants totally over two million dollars, through his collaborative leadership and unwavering commitment to student success. 

Today, Dr. Harris remains a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. He plays a pivotal role in the Summer Bridge Institute (SBI) sponsored through grant from, the PNC Foundation. SBI, empowers students from underrepresented backgrounds to be exposed to college and explore unlimited careers opportunities. Additionally, he supports the Fe Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, which fuels the entrepreneurial ambitions of Hispanic and Latino students. 

As an adjunct professor in the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership program at Delaware Valley University, Dr. Harris is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of community college leaders. His own academic journey, which began at Southwestern Michigan Community College and included degrees from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Western Michigan University, and Ferris State University, is a testament to the power of community college education to transform lives. 

Through his visionary leadership and tireless advocacy, Dr. Harris is shaping a brighter future for community college students everywhere. His journey is a powerful reminder that with dedication, perseverance, and a passion for excellence, there is no limit to the heights we can achieve. 

Dr. Harris carries his parents' wisdom as a guiding principle: "Never underestimate your ability to positively impact others." This mantra has fueled his commitment to serving his community and acting as an agent of change throughout his career. 

Dr. Patricia Marshall's Cover Letter

Dr. Patricia Marshall's CV

Dr. Patricia Marshall's Finalist Interview Schedule

Dr. Patricia Marshall's Feedback Survey

Dr. Patricia A. Marshall currently serves as the provost and executive vice president at Fitchburg State University.  In her prior role as deputy commissioner for academic affairs and student success at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, she was recognized for her statewide work to enhance racial equity, narrow achievement gaps, and improve student success.   With over 20 years of experience in public higher education in Massachusetts, Dr. Marshall held a tenured faculty position at Worcester State University, where she also served as the founding chair of the Department of World Languages, interim dean of Arts and Sciences, and associate vice president for academic affairs.   

As a young adult, Dr. Marshall participated in Upward Bound and received services from Education Talent Search.  Marshall is a founding board member of MassEdCO, a statewide network of service sites that works with economically and educationally disadvantaged students, and she currently serves on the board of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). 

Marshall holds a bachelor’s degree from Colby College and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from Brown University. 

Dr. L. Michael McCloud's Cover Letter

Dr. L. Michael McCloud's CV

Dr. L. Michael McCloud's Finalist Interview Schedule

Dr. L. Michael McCloud's Feedback Survey

Dr. L. Michael McCloud (Mickey) originally hails from Saginaw, MI. His successes as a multi-sport athlete and top student saw him earn a National African American Achievement Scholarship and subsequently a George Washington Carver Memorial Scholarship at Iowa State University, where he completed an undergraduate degree in English with an emphasis in Education, winning the State of Iowa Promising Teacher award in 1997. He served as a high school teacher and coach of both football and track, aiding hundreds of students to find success both in- and outside of the classroom. In 2004 Dr. McCloud moved to the college ranks, becoming a tenure-track professor at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley in downtown Kansas City, MO, where his skills in the classroom served him in teaching composition, British Literature, Mythology, Women’s Literature and African American Literature. In the summer of 2010, he was elevated to the role of Associate Dean of Instruction, where he oversaw the Office of Career and Technical Education, becoming well versed in workforce initiatives and regional educational issues. His career took him next to eastern Jackson County, Missouri to become the Dean of Instruction and Chief Academic Officer at MCC’s Blue River campus in May of 2014, and since the summer of 2016 he has served as the Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs/Provost at Johnson County Community College in south suburban Kansas City. 

Along with his BA in English from Iowa State, Mickey holds master’s degrees in English literature, Philosophy, and Religious Studies from Baker University in Kansas, and an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, with specialty fields in Middle English Literature and Medieval European History. He is a father of six (three boys and three girls), is an avid movie collector with over 300 titles in his personal library, and enjoys reading fantasy literature and playing video games in what spare time he is afforded.  

Dr. Evon Walters' Cover Letter

Dr. Evon Walters' CV

Dr. Evon Walters' Finalist Interview Schedule

Dr. Evon Walters' Feedback Survey

He brings a diverse background of over 29 years of combined experience in teaching & executive leadership within Higher Education. His alma mater is the University of Massachusetts, where he lettered in Track and Field, while completing his bachelor’s Master’s and Doctorate degrees. In 2003, he was nominated and selected as a Fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE). Additionally, he was a 2020 recipient of the prestigious Paragon Award for New Presidents, where he was one of 28 community college presidents who were recognized by the PTK national honor society. This award was given to new presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service among high-achieving students at their college. His previous roles included President, Campus CEO, and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Additionally, Dr. Walters served as faculty and chairperson of the education department at Olivet College in Michigan. While at Olivet College, he was recognized and awarded the Faculty Riethmiller Award, for "Excellence in Scholarship". He began his professional career at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was the Dean of Multicultural Affairs.  

During his career, he served eight years as a systems appraiser and evaluator for the Academic Quality Improvement program (AQIP) for the Higher Learning Commission accrediting body. Over the past six years, he was appointed by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) board to serve as a Commissioner on their College Readiness Commission and on their Commission on Student Success. He is currently serving a three-year term on the Structured Pathway Commission. A devoted teacher, he teaches within the Higher Education graduate program at Stony Brook University, where he teaches an assortment of courses including Strategic Enrollment Management and Community College Leadership. His research activities and leadership within the community college space on issues associated with student success, diversity, strategic planning and enrollment management have led to over 150 citations of his work, as well as book chapters and publications in national journals. He currently serves as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice. 

Recognized for his entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership approach, he is credited with spearheading the conceptualizing and redesign of high tech and data driven Student Success Centers and enrollment processes at three community colleges. These initiatives led to increases in student persistence and enrollment. While at Suffolk County Community College, he was a part of an executive team that partnered with the faculty governance and the union leadership in spearheading advocacy efforts on behalf of the Eastern campus that led to receiving $40 million in capital funding to construct a new Learning Resource Center and a Health and Wellness facility. Over the past six years, he has presented nationally and published multiple articles highlighting the central role of community colleges in workforce development and student access/success. Highlighted within these presentations and publications have been some of CCAC’s groundbreaking initiatives that he has spearheaded. Much of these initiatives involved partnerships with local and national entities on issues associated with workforce development, enrollment management and increasing post-secondary access/success to the region’s historically under-represented and economically disadvantaged population. These partnerships endeavors involved the region’s k-12, business/industry, and community-based organization sectors. Through these efforts, he has been successful in conceptualizing, developing and securing millions of dollars in alternative funding that has expanded post-secondary student access and enhanced student success. 

In 2013, he was awarded the New York Suffolk County, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission award and the New York Governor's certificate of recognition for his public service and contributions to diversity in Suffolk County. Most recently, he was named as a 2024 Man of Excellence by the New Pittsburgh Courier newspaper to celebrate African American men who encourage others through their leadership, achievements and service. Locally, he serves on the boards of the Northside Shore Chamber of Commerce as its Vice Chair, Propel Charter Schools as its Vice President. He is also a member of Carnegie Mellon University’s “Center for Shared Prosperity”, as well as the Chamber’s Northside Works Committee on Workforce development. He is married to Rhonda Walters, who is the Vice President for Talent Management at the Allegheny Conference. They have a son, Evon Jr. who will be entering his senior year of high school.