Tompkins-Cortland Community College: February 13, 2025: 14/30

#visit-number-fourteen-almost-halfway-there!!! 

Thursday February 13, 2025

Over the past three days, I’ve had the opportunity to visit three of our community colleges—SUNY Broome (campus visit 12), SUNY Ulster (campus visit 13) and today Tompkins Cortland Community College  (campus visit 14). 

Like many SUNY community college campuses, Tompkins Cortland Community College is nestled just outside a small town—in this case, Dryden, NY, with a population of just under fifteen thousand.

As is my usual routine, I planned to visit the campus the evening before my meetings to get my bearings. However, the drive from SUNY Ulster Tompkins Cortland Community College was difficult—snow was falling steadily, and the roads hadn’t been plowed. I almost skipped my test run and headed straight to the hotel. But knowing that weather conditions might continue into the next day, I decided it was worth figuring out the route from hotel to campus and where to park in advance.

I’m so glad I did. Not just for logistical reasons, but because as I pulled onto the campus, I had a striking first impression: this is a campus that is cared for. That thought stayed with me, quickly followed by curiosity: Does the inside reflect the same care? Or is this just window dressing?

After parking, I walked toward the entrance and spotted a wooden structure with the college’s name—“TOMPKINS CORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE”—spelled out in large, lighted letters. Beneath the sign was a bench. Maybe I was just road-weary, or maybe President Kremenek enlisted a font psychologist—but something about the design struck me. The sign seemed to say, “This is a cool place. Come inside. Check us out.” So I did. And just like the exterior, the interior was inviting. The space felt clean, modern, and intentionally maintained—a place where people want to be. Still, I headed to the hotel to rest up for the next day’s meetings.

FCCC President Candice Vacin

When I returned the next morning, I was able to engage in thoughtful, candid conversations with faculty governance leaders, including CGL Amy Faben-Wade, Faculty Council Delegate Patty Tvaroha, teaching faculty, Provost Aaron Tolbert and President Amy Kremenek.

   From left: President Amy Kemenek, CGL/Assistant Professor Amy Faben- 

   Wade, FCCC President Candice Vacin, FCCC Delegate/Professor Patty   

   Tvaroha, Provost Aaron Tolbert. 

Tompkins Cortland Community College has experienced its share of challenges over the past seven years, but my visit left me with the sense that the college is in a good place. With the recent hiring of a permanent Provost and President Kremenek about to begin her fourth year, there is a renewed sense of stability and purpose. Faculty and administrators alike shared that faculty are clearly valued. Both the Provost and faculty recognize the importance of their partnership, and although the Provost is still new to campus, he has already made his relationship with the faculty a top priority. The same can be said of the President’s relationship with faculty—one rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to progress. That’s not to say there isn’t more work ahead—there always is. But what I heard, loud and clear, is that the foundational relationships needed to move forward are strong and well-tended.

From left: FCCC Delegate/Professor Patty Tvaroha & FCCC President Candice Vacin

I’m grateful to everyone at Tompkins Cortland Community College who took the time to meet with me, and I look forward to returning—hopefully under sunnier skies—to continue the conversation. 

This caught my eye as I entered into an academic suite. The names are of retired faculty or folks who support faculty. 

This is an example of something that may seem insignificant but is a demonstration of how faculty, even retired faculty, are valued at Tompkins Cortland Community College.