SUNY Canton Welcomes Schiffner as New Provost

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SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy recently announced that Carli C. Schiffner has been selected as the College’s new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

CANTON, NY (05/10/2011)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy announced his former Chief of Staff has been selected as the College's new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Carli C. Schiffner, Ph.D., of Yakima, Washington, will begin her full-time appointment in July 2011.

"Both Carli's prior work with our campus community as well as the leadership experience she's gained through her current position at Yakima Valley Community College will serve her well in this high-demand role," Kennedy said. "The College has grown drastically in recent years, and we have placed our trust in Carli to continue that growth by creating more in-demand four-year programs and supporting our exponential increase in online offerings and international programs, all while encouraging the continued academic excellence of our students and faculty."

Schiffner served as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Yakima Valley Community College after leaving SUNY Canton in August 2007. She increased efficiencies with the division's processes and procedures, led accreditation efforts for the campus, revised and restructured assessment within the division, and worked collaboratively with fellow administrators, staff, faculty, and respective unions. She has also worked diligently to mainstream the use of data when making decisions regarding curriculum, assessment, and hiring.

"I have been fortunate to have spent the past four years at a large urban community college where I have gained invaluable experience working on access and student success initiatives and am excited to take what I've learned into my new role as SUNY Canton's Provost," Schiffner said. "The College is going through a tremendous period of growth both in enrollment and its physical landscape. I look forward to using my enthusiasm, dedication, strong work ethic and sense of humor as I continue to champion academic excellence and integrity and move ahead with a successful student agenda."

Schiffner came to SUNY Canton in 2003 as an assistant professor in the History department. In May 2005, she assumed the role as Chief of Staff for Kennedy but also maintained her faculty position at the College. She continued to work as a faculty leader in the areas of distance learning, institutional strategic planning, curriculum development, and accreditation.

Her research has focused on women's groups in the Pacific Northwest during the Progressive Era. Since returning to the region in 2007, Schiffner has had work published in Columbia Magazine and the Pacific Northwest Quarterly, in addition to reviewing several history texts.

While at SUNY Canton, Schiffner created the U.S. Women's History course and worked in the local archives to transcribe women's diaries with students. "I would like to continue in some capacity to be involved in the local history of the North Country," she said.

She is a member of the American Historical Association and has been a Humanities Washington Board of Trustees member since 2009. She is also an active parent volunteer at St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School and a Daisy Troop Leader. While living in Canton, Schiffner was the secretary and archivist for the St. Lawrence County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She also volunteered for Citizens Against Violent Acts (CAVA), a rape crisis center in Canton.

Schiffner received her bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., in 1996, her master's degree in 1998 from Drew University in Madison, N.J., and her doctorate from Washington State University in 2004.

The position of SUNY Canton Provost was previously held by Linda D. Pellett, who assumed the role of Interim Provost in March 2010 and retired in December.

"I am thrilled we have Carli back in our community," Pellett noted. "She brings with her an enormous amount of positive energy and will help continue to guide the College in the right direction despite the difficult financial situations that are ahead."

Schiffner's husband and daughter are looking forward to returning to the North Country. "When we previously lived in Canton, we made terrific friends that became our 'East Coast' family," she said. "We are excited to reconnect with our friends and former neighbors, as well as making new relationships within the community. We are looking at this return as a homecoming and have been overwhelmed with the welcome we have already received."

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction of the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House is nearing completion, while the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring 305 single-occupancy rooms, is under construction and will open in August 2011.

-www.canton.edu-