SUNY Niagara’s eighth president has been hired.

Lloyd A. Holmes, currently the president of De Anza College in Cupertino, California, will succeed William Murabito as the school’s new president as of July 1. The SUNY Board of Trustees approved the pick at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Murabito, who served as the school’s interim president from 2017-19 and as the full-time president since then, previously announced plans to retire at the end of June.

The 19-member Presidential Search Committee a nationwide search over the past year for his replacement, with the Sanborn campus hosting the four finalists for a March open forum.

Holmes beat out Jason Adsit, a special consultant to the Mount Saint Mary College Board of Trustees, Andrew Bowne, who held leadership positions at several midwest community colleges, and Rai Kathuria, the provost and senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.

“Dr. Lloyd A. Holmes is a strong leader with a proven track record of removing barriers to student success and an unwavering commitment to prioritizing academic excellence,” the action for Holmes appointment reads.

Holmes’ starting salary will be $225,000, the amount Murabito started within his first full-time three-year contract back in 2019.

Holmes grew up in Mississippi where he earned an associate degree from Itawamba Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi, both in accounting. He went on to get a master’s degree in higher education and student personnel services and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, both from the University of Mississippi.

Prior to joining De Anza, Holmes had worked as vice president of student services at Monroe Community College in Rochester for six years. He served as chief diversity officer there for two years, mentored other colleges for student success, and served on a task force on student hunger.

He also worked as an administrator at North Shore Community College in Massachusetts, Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, and the University of Mississippi.

Bronx, NY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Craig Lamb as president of Genesee Community College. Lamb’s appointment is effective August 1, 2024.

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “After an extensive and thorough search for the president of Genesee Community College, we would like to congratulate Dr. Craig Lamb. He is no stranger to SUNY, serving at GCC since 2013. His incredible career championing higher education will serve him well as he leads the institution into a bright future.”

“Community colleges offer so much for the areas they serve, from workforce development and microcredentials for individuals seeking to upskill, to providing students with springboards from associate degrees to our bachelor’s degree programs,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “Having presidents who understand each campus and know what the communities need is crucial in fostering student success and upward mobility. I congratulate Dr. Lamb on his appointment and look forward to collaborating for the benefit of our students, faculty, and staff.”

About Dr. Craig Lamb

Dr. Craig Lamb joined Genesee Community College in 2013 and currently serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Having held various leadership and administrative roles, Dr. Lamb is a believer in the transformative power of a high-quality, affordable, and accessible college education, especially for individuals who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Dr. Lamb’s efforts are driven by his commitment to inclusivity, intellectual and social growth, shared governance, fiscal responsibility, and the development of life-long learners.

Dr. Lamb’s career has been dedicated to the public postsecondary educational sector, including previous positions at SUNY Empire State University, the University of Connecticut, and SUNY Plattsburgh. He has completed several professional development programs specifically focused on executive leadership within an ever-changing educational environment. Along with his professional and administrative roles, Dr. Lamb has taught a variety of college courses in face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities for more than two decades.

Dr. Lamb earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany, and his Master of Science in College and Agency Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Chair of the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees Jacalyn Whiting said, “The Genesee Community College trustees are pleased to welcome Dr. Craig Lamb as our next president. Dr. Lamb brings extensive experience and leadership to this role, and we look forward to working closely with him in continuing our commitment to student success above all else.

Dr. Lamb said, “It is a profound privilege to be selected as the next President of Genesee Community College. I am deeply thankful to those who have entrusted me with this role. For the past ten years, I have been honored to be part of the GCC community, and I am excited to lead our campus in our steadfast commitment to student success.”

A new president has been named for Metropolitan Community College’s Penn Valley campus. Tammy Robinson, who’s joining MCC from Mesa Community College in Arizona, served as president there since 2022. Mesa is the largest of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District.

Robinson is expected to start at MCC-Penn Valley, in midtown Kansas City, in early July.

Tyjaun A. Lee, Penn Valley’s president from 2017-2023, is currently MCC’s interim vice chancellor for administrative services. In 2023-24, Larry Rideaux Jr., the MCC-Maple Woods president, served as acting president for Penn Valley.

Robinson will bring to Metropolitan Community College more than 25 years’ experience as a community college administrator and instructor.

“Beginning her career as an English faculty member, Dr. Robinson has demonstrated experience and success in developing and enhancing transfer and workforce programs — the perfect academic skill set for the next leader of the Penn Valley campus,” MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty wrote in an announcement to employees.

The Penn Valley campus includes two workforce-focused facilities: the Health Science Institute and the Advanced Technical Skills Institute.

Robinson says she is “thrilled to embark on a new journey as the president of MCC-Penn Valley,” adding that her family has deep roots in the Kansas City area.

“I am dedicated to enhancing the educational landscape by ensuring that all students have the resources they need to excel and prosper,” Robinson says. “My commitment to the community college ethos — enhancing accessibility and empowering students — is a driving force in my leadership approach.”

Robinson’s accomplishments at Mesa Community College include launching bachelor’s degree programs in data analytics/computer programming and early childhood education/dual languages. She also pioneered the Mesa College Promise program, facilitating greater access to higher education by awarding students full tuition and iPads with support services.

Robinson’s experience also includes serving as vice president of instruction at Cañada College in Redwood City, California (2018-22); dean of global learning programs and services and dean of social science and creative arts at Skyline College in San Bruno, California (2015-18); and interim vice president of academic services and chief instructional officer at Lassen Community College in Susanville, California (2013-15).

She served as chair for the English/ESL department at Los Angeles City College (1996-2013) and as an English instructor at California State University, Dominguez Hills (1996-98).

Robinson holds an Ed.D. in education with an emphasis in community college administration from the University of Southern California; an M.A. in English from California State University, Dominguez Hills; a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles; and an A.A. in social science from Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.

Robinson is a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission for the American Association of Community Colleges. She also served as president of the National Council on Black American Affairs, an affiliate of the AACC. She has spoken at numerous conferences about the importance of educational access for underrepresented groups. She recently co-presented at Harvard University on the topic of “Surviving and Thriving as a Woman in a Multi-College System.”