Cazenovia — Cazenovia College has named Ronald Chesbrough, Ph.D., currently the president of St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, Mo., as its 29th president after completing a seven-month nationwide search. He will assume this position beginning July 1.
“Dr. Chesbrough emerged as the Board’s top choice due to his more than 25 years of experience in college leadership and administration and his deep understanding of higher education trends, both public and private,” said Paul de Lima, interim chairman of the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees. “Ron’s proven track record as a dynamic, collaborative and solutions-oriented leader along with being an effective communicator made him the perfect fit for Cazenovia College.”
Before Chesbrough officially begins his duties as president, Interim President Margery Pinet and he will meet periodically in order to provide for a smooth transition of leadership, de Lima said.
Since 2011, Chesbrough, has served as president of St. Charles Community College, a comprehensive two-year college with approximately 10,000 students and an annual operating budget of $39 million. During his leadership, Chesbrough initiated a transformative, inclusive and ongoing planning process resulting in new investments in the college’s future and a spirit of collaboration across departments. Under his strong fiscal management and fund-raising leadership, the college increased revenue, decreased debt and secured the two largest cash gifts in the history of the college. In addition, St. Charles Community College was selected as a Top Workplace by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch three years running and as a Great College to Work For by the Chronicle of Education.
Before leading St. Charles Community College, Chesbrough served as vice president for student affairs at Hastings College in Hastings, Neb., from 2005 to 2011. Prior to that, he at Johnson State College in Vermont where he served as dean of students from 1993 to 2005 and as director of Upward Bound from 1989 to 1993. Other positions held by Chesbrough include director of service learning programs (Trinity College, Vt.), associate director of career services (Champlain College, Vt.), and director of co-curricular learning (Rock Point School, Vt.).
continued — Originally from Northern New York, Chesbrough, 59, earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and economics from the State University of New York at Potsdam, a master’s degree in organizational and human resource development from the University of Vermont and his doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“I am honored to be selected as the 29h president of Cazenovia College,” Chesbrough said. “Leading this historic institution into its third century is an exciting prospect, and I look forward to joining the outstanding faculty, staff and students of Cazenovia College as we continue to build futures one at a time.”
In addition to his academic leadership experience, Chesbrough has a history of involvement in leadership roles in community and professional associations. He currently serves as chair of the St. Charles Economic Development Corporation Executive Board and is chair of the Missouri Community College Association Presidents/Chancellors. He and his wife, Annie, have three adult daughters and two daughters at home.
