MCC names Katherine Douglas as interim president
Katherine Douglas has been named interim president of Monroe Community College. The State University of New York Board of Trustees approved the appointment this week.
Douglas brings more than 40 years of experience in community college education to MCC. Most recently, she served as president of SUNY Corning Community College for eight years until her retirement in June 2019. Her appointment at MCC is effective Monday, Feb. 3, following the departure of former President Anne M. Kress, Ph.D., after 10 years of service.
“The great respect I hold for MCC is based on my previous years of SUNY leadership and service, at which time I have witnessed the numerous successes and innovations led by MCC faculty and staff,” Douglas said. “I look forward to working closely with the MCC community to deliver high-quality educational services that transform students’ lives, help drive regional economic development and open doors of opportunity for all who seek higher education.” (
In December 2019, reflecting MCC’s commitment to shared governance, the MCC Board of Trustees incorporated feedback from students, faculty and staff in its determination and recommendation of Douglas as MCC’s interim president.
“As a seasoned educator and leader in higher education, Dr. Douglas is uniquely suited to lead MCC as interim president. Her commitment to the community college mission and her familiarity with the Western New York/Finger Lakes region will be an asset to MCC,” said MCC Board Chair Barbara P. Lovenheim, Ph.D. “I thank Chancellor Kristina Johnson, Ph.D., and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their support of her appointment.”
Prior to her appointment at SUNY Corning Community College, Douglas served as vice president of academic affairs at Sussex County Community College in New Jersey. She began her community college career as faculty at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, and continued her academic administrative career at Holyoke Community College, also in Massachusetts, as dean of the Division of Social Sciences.
Douglas is expected to serve at MCC 12 to 18 months, while the college conducts a nationwide search for a permanent president.