Genesee Community College's Jessica Hibbard Completes New York State Community College Leadership Academy

Batavia, NY (09/24/2026) — Genesee Community College is pleased to announce that Jessica Hibbard, Associate Dean for Library and Academic Support Services, successfully completed the third cohort of the New York State Community College Leadership Academy (NYSCCLA) during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The NYSCCLA is a professional development program designed for mid-level community college leaders interested in advancing within their institutions and in the community college field. The program provides participants with a foundation in critical student success and change management concepts while developing leadership skills that can be applied directly to their colleges.

As part of the academy, Hibbard worked with a team of community college leaders on an applied learning project titled "Helping Students Complete Programs on Schedule & Affordably," which earned first place among the cohort's applied learning projects.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to develop my leadership skills while working alongside so many talented colleagues across SUNY who are deeply committed to the mission of community colleges and, most importantly, to the students and communities we serve. This experience has strengthened my appreciation for the vital role community colleges play across New York State, and I'm excited about the opportunities ahead to continue contributing to that mission," said Hibbard.

The NYSCCLA curriculum addresses essential areas of community college leadership, including the role of leadership in student success, keeping students' end goals in mind, understanding the student experience, leadership traits that drive change, managing and advancing institutional change, developing effective external partnerships, and navigating the leadership journey.

The program is based on the Aspen College Excellence Program curriculum, which emphasizes the importance of leaders being able to "lead from where they are" while developing the skills necessary to move into senior leadership positions.

The New York program was developed as part of a national scale-up effort to replicate Ohio's Leadership Academy for Student Success. New York, Michigan and Texas were selected for the initiative in partnership with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement and the Aspen College Excellence Program, with funding support from Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation and The Kresge Foundation.

Participants in the academy are nominated by their college presidents or senior campus leaders and are typically leaders below the cabinet or vice president level who demonstrate leadership and administrative experience and the potential to advance in their roles and careers.

For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 343-0055 Ext. 6116, or via email: marcom@genesee.edu.

###

This message has been sent for news distribution by Genesee Community College. If you wish to subscribe or remove your address from the distribution list, please contact 585-343-0055 Ext. 6116 or contact: marcom@genesee.edu.

Thank you for your interest and your support of Genesee Your Community College.

Media Attachments